Tyndale Open Study NotesIsaiah 32

• a king will reign in righteousness: This means the Messiah, God's chosen one (Isaiah 11:1). The focus is now on righteous and wise leadership (Proverbs 8:20).

• In Isaiah’s time, honest leaders were rare (see Isaiah 3:1–6; 28:7–19).

like a shelter … a refuge: These words also describe God's protection (Isaiah 25:4) and his gift of life-giving water (41:18; 43:19–20). The leaders would act as God's agents to bless his people.

Only foolish people value fools and scoundrels as heroes (see also Isaiah 19:11, 13; 32:6–8).

Fools ignore God's standards of justice and righteousness. They do not care about people who are hungry or thirsty (see Isaiah 1:17; 58:7, 10).

weapons … plots: See Proverbs 6:12, 18; 16:27; 24:8–9.

This prophecy warned the complacent women of Jerusalem. God's promises for the future did not excuse ongoing sin.

The women of Jerusalem live comfortably. They rely on wealth and status to keep their lifestyle, despite having low morals.

In a little more than a year: This refers to events that were about to happen soon.

At that time, the Assyrian Empire was preparing to attack Jerusalem. The siege of Jerusalem in 701 BC was approaching.

People wore sackcloth to show grief, especially during mourning (see Psalm 30:11). The Assyrian conquest of Judah's farmlands and most cities, except Jerusalem, would cause wealthy city dwellers to mourn.

The Babylonians, not the Assyrians, eventually destroyed Jerusalem (see Isaiah 39:1–8 for a prediction of this).

• The Spirit will change the nation into a godly community, starting a time of justice and righteousness (see also Joel 2:28–32). The Spirit is connected to the Messiah, God's chosen one (Isaiah 11:1) and the servant (42:1; 61:1).

• desert … orchard: When the people are transformed, nature will be too.

Being right with God and people will bring peace (Hebrew shalom; see Isaiah 26:3; 48:18; 52:7; compare James 3:18). Peace is more than just the absence of conflict. It includes personal wholeness and does not rely on outside circumstances (see also Romans 5:1).

Living safely and feeling at peace were blessings of Israel's agreement with the Lord (see Leviticus 26:5–6). However, the people's sins had brought curses instead of blessings (compare Isaiah 32:9–11).

the forest, and the city: The faithful will stay safe, even when signs of God's judgment are everywhere.