Mar 6, 2019
When you come to a passage like Isaiah 34:1-17, it can be somewhat disconcerting, because it reveals aspects of God’s nature that we can find difficult to reconcile. Especially if we prefer to see God as all-loving, all the time. These verses are full of imagery that reflects God’s wrath and righteous indignation. He speaks of slaughter and vengeance, death and destruction. But while this chapter may be difficult to accept, it must be taken with the rest of God’s Word. The prophetic pronouncements God makes within chapter 34 must be balanced with the other, much more encouraging portions of the Scriptures that provide us with the rest of the story. Speaking through His prophet, Isaiah, God makes it quite clear that His judgment is coming against Judah. And that judgment will be harsh and unavoidable. But God has also provided more than enough assurance that His divine will includes a day of future restoration and renewal. God will punish sin. He will judge His rebellious people. But the day is coming when He will make all things new.