Tyndale Open Study NotesIsaiah 27

This section is often called the Little Apocalypse. It is given this name because it has similarities to the book of Revelation.

In these chapters, Isaiah moves from his present time into a vision of the future. The language is broad and universal. Because of this, it is difficult to connect the events to one specific historical situation.

These chapters are not meant to provide a detailed timeline of future events. They are not a historical blueprint. Instead, Isaiah uses vivid images to describe a dramatic future world that is both similar to and different from the present.

The vision includes elements of both the old age and the new age. For example, the people of Zion are described as righteous (new), yet they still wait for their full redemption (old). This pattern fits with the New Testament teaching that the future age has already begun but has not yet fully arrived (2 Corinthians 4:4; Galatians 1:4).

Peter wrote that believers were already living in the last days (1 Peter 1:12; 2 Peter 3:3). At the same time, he said that the final day of the Lord is still future (2 Peter 3:10). These passages show that the present age and the future age overlap.

Israel used the image of Leviathan to represent evil powers that oppose God. Leviathan's death symbolizes the end of evil, Satan, demons, and forces hostile to God (see Isaiah 51:9; Psalms 74:14; 104:7–9, 26; see also the serpent in Genesis 3; Revelation 12; 13; 16:13; 20:2, 10).

In the Song of the Fruitful Vineyard, the vineyard represents God’s people (compare Isaiah 5:1–7).

• God calls himself the Lord of the covenant to assure his people that his words and actions are trustworthy (see Exodus 6:2–3). This phrase appears many times in Isaiah.

• keeper … water … guard: The Lord will give even greater care and protection to his ultimate vineyard than he did to Israel, his first vineyard (see Isaiah 5:1–2).

• God wants everyone to turn to him and trust him for help.

• God offers his people a chance to make peace with him.

• Jacob’s descendants will grow, and the remaining people will increase (Isaiah 37:31; see also 5:24; 14:30; for application to the Messiah, see 11:1, 10).

• fill the whole world: This prophecy goes beyond Israel's return from exile to the second coming of the Lord Jesus. It includes all righteous children of God (Jews and non-Jews) who suffer but stay obedient while waiting for complete redemption (see Isaiah 26:18; John 15:1–8).

Isaiah reminded readers of the reasons for the exile and judgment:

• Israel’s sinfulness,

• God’s righteous judgment, and

• the absence of divine compassion.

Even though Israel was God's chosen people, they faced punishment like other wicked nations. However, Israel was not entirely destroyed. A small remnant survived.

• The Assyrians forced many people from the northern kingdom of Israel into exile when Samaria fell in 722 BC. The Babylonians exiled many from Judah between 605 and 586 BC.

• Storms from the east were famous for their destructive effects (see Job 27:21; 38:24; Jeremiah 4:11).

• God's justice requires him to punish sin to correct behavior and purify. The exile in Babylon happened to cleanse Israel's wickedness and remove all of Israel's sins (see Romans 11:27).

• This aimed to end all pagan worship in Israel, including the incense altars and the poles used for worshiping the goddess Asherah.

Places previously associated with human power and accomplishment would be ruined to the extent that animals would graze in them.

The people were living outside God’s covenant care (his special promise relationship with them). They had turned away from him.

This was a foolish choice. They rejected the protection and blessing that came from belonging to God.

• God's withholding of mercy from Israel (Isaiah 27:11) will be temporary.

• from the flowing Euphrates to the Wadi of Egypt: God's remnant will return from Assyria and Egypt to the land God promised to Abraham (Genesis 15:18; see 1 Kings 4:21).

The great ram’s horn was blown to gather the people. Its loud sound called them together (see Matthew 24:31).