Study notes

Isaiah 27

Introducing IsaiahWho wrote it, when, why, and what to look for as you read

24:1–27:13

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.

24:1–27:13 Section

The messages of judgement in these chapters are about the whole world. They are examples of apocalyptic writing. They use powerful and scary pictures and signs to describe judgement. It was hard for Isaiah to share these judgement messages. They made him feel weak and terrible.

The judgement messages were bad news for people who were proud. They were bad news for people who trusted in cities that have high walls. This was a way of talking about trusting a government or army instead of trusting God. The judgement messages were also bad news for the spiritual forces of evil. These are evil spiritual beings and the devil.

The messages of hope in these chapters are also about the whole world. They talk about God ruling as King of the whole world. He will destroy cities that are proud. This means that God will destroy all governments and leaders that are proud. He will destroy governments and leaders that don’t follow his example for being rulers. This brings great joy to the people treated badly by those governments and leaders. Then all people will learn to do what is right. All nations will honour God. People who were God’s enemies will be able to make peace with God. They will be able to trust him for safety.

God will put a stop to things that make people sad and full of shame. He will destroy death and will give life to people once again. This time of joy is described as a feast that God prepares for all nations. He prepares it on Mount Zion where the temple is. This is a picture of how God would bless all nations through the people of Israel. It’s a picture of how all nations will worship God as the one true God. These messages lead people to sing songs of praise to God.

Jews understood that Isaiah’s prophecies talked about a time in the future. Some of these messages of hope came true when Babylon lost its power. Some of John’s visions in Revelation are like Isaiah’s messages of judgement and hope. Revelation chapters 19 to 22 make it clear when Isaiah’s messages will fully come true. That will be when Jesus rules completely as King in the new creation.

27:2–6

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

27:3

  • 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).

27:5

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

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

27:6

  • 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).

27:7

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.

27:7–11

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

  • Israel’s sinfulness,

  • God’s righteous judgment, and

  • the absence of divine compassion.

27:8

  • 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).

27:9

  • 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.

27:10

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

27:11

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.

27:12

  • 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).

27:13

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

Verse notes: Adapted by Mission Mutual (Aquifer Open Study Notes) from Tyndale Open Study Notes © 2023 Tyndale House Publishers. CC BY-SA 4.0. Section notes: Biblica Study Notes © 2023 Biblica, Inc. CC BY-SA 4.0, via BibleAquifer. About the sources