Daily Devotions
Isaiah
"The sinners in Zion are afraid"
Text: Isaiah 33:14
THE JUDGMENT OF THE LORD
This would be meted out against the wicked and sinful nations. But those in Zion who were also wicked feared that they would also be punished. The recalcitrant sinners had every reason to fear the wrath of the LORD.
“The sinners in Zion are afraid;
Fearfulness has seized the hypocrites:
‘Who among us shall dwell with the devouring fire?
Who among us shall dwell with everlasting burnings?’
He who walks righteously and speaks uprightly,
He who despises the gain of oppressions,
Who gestures with his hands, refusing bribes,
Who stops his ears from hearing of bloodshed,
And shuts his eyes from seeing evil:
He will dwell on high;
His place of defense will be the fortress of rocks;
Bread will be given him,
His water will be sure.”
Isaiah 33:14-16
1. The sinners in Zion.
a) They expressed fear.
b) The hypocrites were very fearful.
2. But they still sought to justify themselves.
a) They were not repentant.
b) They described God’s judgment as:
i) A devouring fire.
ii) Everlasting burnings.
c) They rejected God’s right to judge them.
d) They were implying that no one could ever dwell with God safely.
e) These were aspersions cast upon God because of His judgments.
f) There was no indication of repentance whatsoever.
g) His questions are spurious.
3. The lifestyle of the righteous in Zion.
a) He walks righteously.
b) He speaks uprightly.
c) He despises unlawful gain by oppression.
d) He rejects bribes.
e) He does not want to hear about bloodshed.
f) He does not want to gaze at anything evil.
4. God will bless the righteous.
a) He will not need to fear the devouring fire.
b) He will dwell on high and in safety.
c) His dwelling place would be like a fortress.
d) He would not lack the supply of bread and water.