In the early part of Isaiah’s ministry, Judah’s King Ahaz was under great threat from the northern kingdom of Israel and its ally Aram. In Isaiah 7:2, we read that Ahaz and the Judahites were shaken in their hearts by this threat, like the trees of a forest are shaken by the wind. Isaiah exhorts King Ahaz to trust the Lord, for God had given great promises to the kings from the line of David. Isaiah prophesies to Ahaz that Israel and Aram are no match for Almighty God.
The Futility Of Idolatry
But Ahaz refused to trust the Lord (Isaiah 7:10-25). He had already decided to trust the military might of the superpower Assyria to protect Judah from Israel and Aram (2 Kings 16:1-20). This treaty with Assyria entailed bringing the altar of Assyria’s pagan god right into the Jerusalem Temple, right beside the altar of Yahweh God (2 Kings 16:10-15)! This spiritual adultery was a grave violation of Judah’s covenant with their Lord.
In Isaiah 30 and 31, we read of a similar temptation faced by Ahaz’ son, King Hezekiah. Judah is no longer under threat by Israel and Aram. These 2 kingdoms have been destroyed by Assyria. But now, Hezekiah is facing Assyria as a great threat, just like Isaiah prophesied to Ahaz years before. This powerfully illustrates the spiritual principle that whatever you trust in place of the Lord will eventually seek to destroy you.
The Glory And Blessing Of Trusting The LORD
In order to withstand the Assyrian threat, Hezekiah is being advised by his military and political leaders to trust in the military power of Egypt. The Lord is exhorting Hezekiah and Judah not to trust this earthly power. In Isaiah 31:3, we read these words:
But the Egyptians are men and not God; their horses are flesh and not spirit. When the LORD stretches out his hand, he who helps will stumble, he who is helped will fall; both will perish together.
Instead of man’s help, Isaiah urges King Hezekiah to look to God’s help and trust the promises of God. Promises like the one in Isaiah 31:5:
Like birds hovering overhead, the LORD Almighty will shield Jerusalem; he will shield it and deliver it, he will ‘pass over’ it and will rescue it.
Unlike his father Ahaz, Hezekiah did trust God’s promise and he experienced the powerful deliverance from Assyria’s army that was prophesied in Isaiah 31:8,9. The actual deliverance is reported in Isaiah 37:36-38, where we read that the angel of the LORD put 185,000 men of the Assyrian army to death.
But even Hezekiah will come short of the Davidic ideal of a king who will fully usher in God’s purposes for His people (Is. 39:1-8).
In Isaiah 32:1-8, we have the promise of a Messianic king who will reign in perfect righteousness and justice. It is this kingly figure that will bring a deep shalom (peace) to take root among God’s people. Christians believe this Jewish Messiah from David’s line is Jesus Christ, who is not only King over the Jews, but also LORD over all nations.
In Isaiah 32:15-20, we read that the righteousness and justice that the Messiah will bring to earth, and cause to dwell in His people, will come about through the ministry of the Spirit of God. Not only will the Messianic king be endowed with God’s Spirit (Is. 11:2), His people will also be similarly empowered by God’s Spirit. It will require supernatural enablement from God to fully accomplish His redemptive purposes for His creation.
Who will be able to be a part of the Messiah’s people? Who will be able to dwell in the presence of a holy God? He/she who repents of their sins and takes refuge in the Messianic King (Is. 33:14-17).
QOTD: Are you a part of Messiah’s people who are living in the power of God’s Spirit and in His righteousness?