Isaiah 33:17-24 – Divine Intervention

Encouraging those faithful people in Judah, Isaiah assured them that out of their plight would come something positive. God’s deliverance would help them see their Jerusalem was no longer a desolate city but a free land. And even as they reminisced their past days of terror, they would realize that all those experiences were only a distant memory. They no longer would see their oppressors, a fierce people speaking an unintelligible language that they could not understand. Instead, they would see the King of beauty and a Zion that would be safe and secure. Here Isaiah clearly had the Messiah and His Kingdom in focus.

Jerusalem, the Messiah’s Kingdom, would no longer be an oppressed city. She would instead be a safe and secure place, a peaceful settlement. She would be a city that would be appointed for feasts of celebration, a place set up as a permanent unmovable tent, and not one that would ever be folded again. What would be more marvelous, was that God Himself would dwell among them in Jerusalem. Besides, she would be a city located beside broad rivers and streams, a place where no enemy’s ship could sail on to attack her. Verse 22 shows that it would be a safe and secure place. Why? Because the presence of God would be in that city. He not only would be the judge, but also the lawgiver and the King. He would save His people.  

In verse 23, Isaiah likened Jerusalem, before God’s intervention, to a ship that was totally unprepared for the attack of Assyria. She was unable to navigate through the rough attack. However, through repentance as a nation, the people experienced God’s mighty deliverance. Their sins were forgiven. No one would feel unwell because God had forgiven their sin.  

 

Like Judah, our victory over life’s circumstances largely depends on where we place our hope and focus. When she turned her eyes towards God, He intervened. God wants to step into our lives and change the circumstances and outcomes of our situations. Let us fix our eyes on God, put our hope in Him, and allow Him to intervene in our life!