In the immediate context, Isaiah continues the thought of the coming judgment against the Assyrians. But in the larger context, we can see this passage as an announcement of the judgment of come upon the nations during the Great Tribulation. Jesus, and many Old Testament prophets, plainly told us of a coming time He called great tribulation (Matthew 24:21), when because of the judgment of God, conditions on earth would be the worst human history had ever seen. Revelation chapters 6, 8-9, and 16-18 describe this horrific time, when there will be widespread ecological, economic, cosmic, and human catastrophe on a level never before known in history.

1. God’s anger is of a world-wide nature (vs. 1-4)

The warning regarding this time of the indignation of the Lord is directed not to God’s people, but to the nations. This is because God’s people will escape the terrors of the great tribulation, though they may experience great hardship in the time leading up to it. Jesus said we should pray that we would be counted worthy to escape that time of terrors (Luke 21:36), and be taken to heaven in the great catching away of the church (1 Thessalonians 4:16-18). Humanity’s sins have touched heaven itself. See Job 15:15 & Hebrews 9:23.

2. There will be war (vs. 5-7)

The Demotes were near neighbours to Israel, and often bitter rivals. The Edomites rejoiced whenever the people of Judah or Israel were afflicted, so Isaiah focuses on the judgment that will come against Edom, using them as a single example of the large judgment that will come upon all the nations (See Isaiah 34:1-2).

3. There will be fire (vs. 8-10)

In this day of the Lord’s vengeance upon the earth, known as the great tribulation, there will be unparalleled ecological disaster. Before Jesus Christ returns at the end of the great tribulation, one-third of the earth’s vegetation, one-third of the oceans, and one-third of fresh waters will be destroyed and unusable (Revelation 8 and 16).

4. Only wild animals will live in Edom (vs. 11-15)

Much of the earth will be so destroyed that in many places, only wild animals will be able to live. The Hebrew word here is sair, which as an adjective means hairy (Genesis 27:11) and as a noun refers to a male goat (Genesis 37:31 and Leviticus 4:23). It is possible that Isaiah means that wild goats will inhabit the desolate regions of Edom. The Hebrew word for night creature is lilith, which is the feminine form of the word “night”. Old Jewish superstitions make Lilith a beautiful demon of the night, which seduced men and killed children. It is possible that Isaiah uses the term to describe the demonic habitation of Edom after God’s judgment.

5. God will fulfil every prophecy which his servants speak (vs. 16-17)

This remarkable statement tells us that Isaiah understood that his words were the words of the Lord. It also means that Isaiah clearly challenged doubters to “look it up” once the prophecy was fulfilled. This time of great tribulation is certainly coming upon the earth. This is beyond all doubt; our part isn’t to bring it or to prevent it, but simply to be ready, and to pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man (Luke 21:36).

Categories: Isaiah