6. God will deliver his people (33:1-24)

The historical situation appears to be just before Sennacherib leads his Assyrian army in final assault against Jerusalem. He has already devastated the cities of Judah and has broken the treaty with Hezekiah despite taking the tribute money (2Ki 18:14ff.). As a final act of desperation, the king and people of Judah turn to Isaiah and ask him to pray for them. Isaiah does and assures them that God will route the Assyrian enemy and preserve the city of Jerusalem (2Ki 19:1-37).

V.1 is a pronouncement of doom on Assyria. It is followed by a petition for salvation (cf. Hezekiah’s prayer in 2Ki 19:15-19). The section closes on a note of praise to God. The reference to a sure foundation (v.6) calls to mind the prior passage in 28:16.

Isaiah returns to the historical situation (vv.7-16). Sennacherib has reduced Judah to a point of desperation. In v.10 the Lord speaks in the first person. He will arise and destroy the destroyer. Sennacherib’s plans against Jerusalem are as fruitless as chaff; his own fiery threats will turn to destroy him (v.11). All the nations are invited to take note of God’s actions. The appeal to universal understanding of the identity of the true God is a prevalent theme throughout the book of Isaiah. God’s appearance strikes fear in the hearts of all who are hostile to him (v.14); only the righteous can stand in that day (vv.15-16).

As we have seen frequently in Isaiah, the prophetic word, while rooted in history and spoken in a particular historical situation, inexorably pushes its vision onward to the very limit of history, toward a messianic age of blessing and shalom where righteousness and justice reign. With vv.17-24, the prophet’s gaze is directed into the future once again, where he sees a divine king ruling in beauty (cf. 4:2; 6:5). At that time Sennacherib and his chief officers, the Assyrian rulers with their difficult language, will be a distant memory (vv.18-19). Jerusalem will be transformed into a place of peace and wholeness (vv.20-24). Compare similar Isaianic visions: 2:2-5; 4:2-6; 9:2-7; 11:1-9; 32:1-4, 15-20.