Isaiah 24:14-20 – Learn to keep a short account with God.

Earlier in chapter 24 of Isaiah, we discovered that there would be no joy or celebration for the people because their vineyards had dried up and the harvest was not forthcoming. Abruptly, without any transition, Isaiah spoke about voices and shouts of joy. We were not told whose voices were those. But the glory of the Lord, the Righteous One was recognized and the name of the God of Israel extolled. They could well be the voices of the remnant which Isaiah had referred to earlier.  

Tersely, the mood became somber in verse 16. Isaiah lamented exclaiming, “I am finished! I am finished! Woe is me!” He asserted that the treacherous would never change. They would always deal treacherously. Treachery would be the thing that would cut short the voices of glory. While there might be glorious singing unto the Lord, the treacherous would continue to deal deceitfully. 

 

Verses 17-20 showed what would happen at the coming judgment. There would be no way of escaping for the inhabitants of the earth. All efforts to evade it would be futile. Floods and earthquakes would devastate the earth. This is being depicted by the opening of the windows above and the shaking of the earth’s foundation. God’s judgment on mankind is being portrayed here in the destruction of the earth. Laden by sin and wrongdoing, the earth would fall and never rise again.

 

The gravity of sin cannot be ignored. No one can flirt with sin and expect to get away scot-free. Trifling with it only results in death and destruction. God hates sin and so must we. Don’t let a sin-laden life weigh us down. With the help of the Holy Spirit, we must learn to keep short accounts with God. It is always best to remain on God’s side!