The Foundations of the Earth to Shake - Isaiah 24

As we come to chapter 24, Isaiah’s message, though directed to the people of Judah, seems to reach out to embrace the whole earth. He describes this as a time in which the land of Judah/earth appears to be empty since so many have been killed. The land has been destroyed to the point that the earth appears to have been turned upside down. Verse 6 declares that the “inhabitants of the earth are burned.” Again, in this nuclear age that phrase brings up frightening visions.

Verse 18 indicates that there will be no escaping the horror of this destruction for those living on planet earth at that time.

“And it shall come to pass, that he who fleeth from the noise of the fear shall fall into the pit; and he that cometh up out of the midst of the pit shall be taken in the snare: for the windows from on high are open, and the foundations of the earth do shake.”

This judgment will involve the forces of nature (as discussed in a previous post)—probably hail and earthquakes. Verses 19-20 paint a very specific picture of what is happening.

“The earth is utterly broken down, the earth is clean dissolved, the earth is moved exceedingly. The earth shall reel to and fro like a drunkard, and shall be removed like a cottage; and the transgression thereof shall be heavy upon it; and it shall fall, and not rise again.”

Verse 21 seems to indicate that this time of judgment on planet earth will also result in punishment and defeat of the spiritual forces of evil, Satan and his demonic forces.

“And it shall come to pass in that day, that the LORD shall punish the host of the high ones that are on high, and the kings of the earth upon the earth.”

The chapter concludes with Jesus on the throne in Mount Zion in Jerusalem. Point is made that His glory will put the sun to shame. This ties directly to the prophecy of John in Revelation 21:23:

“And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof.”

I thought it was also interesting that the prophecy made a point of stating that the “ancients” will take pleasure in seeing the establishment of Messiah’s Kingdom in great glory. Though the Hebrew does not specify, I believe this is a reference to the ancient fathers Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, etc.—all those listed in the “hall of faith” in Hebrews 11 of whom it was said: “These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them….”