July 18

Isaiah 23-27 (biblegateway.com)

From Earthly Pride to Eternal Praise: The Lord’s Global Rule

Isaiah 23–27 moves from specific oracles of judgment to a broader, more cosmic vision of God’s justice and redemption. The section begins with a prophecy against Tyre, a wealthy and influential port city known for its pride and commerce. But the message soon shifts in scope—from localized judgment to worldwide upheaval and a glorious future for God’s people. Often called the “Little Apocalypse” for its sweeping, end-times tone, these chapters portray a God who not only tears down prideful nations but also promises a banquet of salvation, the defeat of death, and the restoration of His people. This portion of Isaiah is both sobering and deeply hopeful, reminding us that the Lord’s plan extends far beyond immediate events. His goal is global restoration and eternal joy for those who trust in Him.

Isaiah 23 – The Rise, Fall, and Restoration of Tyre

Isaiah’s prophecies against other nations began in the east with Babylon (chapter 13) and ended in the west with Tyre in Phoenicia (chapter 23). Tyre was one of the most famous cities of the ancient world. A major trading center with a large seaport, Tyre was very wealthy and very evil. Tyre was rebuked by Jeremiah (Jeremiah 25:22, 27; 47:4), Ezekiel (Ezekiel 26-28), Joel (Joel 3:4-8), Amos (Amos 1:9, 10), and Zechariah (Zechariah 9:3, 4). This is another warning against political alliances with unstable neighbors. Known for its vast maritime trade and commercial power, Tyre becomes a symbol of economic pride and worldly security.

This oracle opens with a call to the “ships of Tarshish” (v. 1), large merchant vessels known for long-distance trade (1 Kings 10:22; Ps. 48:7), to wail in distress. These ships, docked at Cyprus (about 150 miles northwest of Tyre), hear of Tyre’s destruction. Its fall sends shockwaves across the Mediterranean. Distant lands that depended on Tyre’s prosperity are thrown into mourning.

Tyre and Sidon were the two most important Phoenician cities, both serving as Mediterranean ports that relied heavily on seafaring trade. The Phoenicians prospered through international commerce, and their trade enriched other nations, including the island of Cyprus. However, Sidon would share in Tyre’s downfall, as the fall of one would inevitably affect the other (v. 2-4).

Egypt, one of its major trading partners, is deeply disturbed at the news (v. 5). Egypt depended on Tyre’s shipping expertise to promote and carry its products worldwide. Thus, Egypt would lose an important trading partner with the fall of Tyre. The sea-based imagery throughout these verses highlights the vastness of Tyre’s influence and the suddenness of its collapse.

The news of Tyre spreads still farther to Tarshish, where the people were also called to wail (v. 6) because of the economic devastation they would suffer. Tarshish, known for its wealth in silver (Jer. 10:9), iron, tin, and lead (Ezek. 27:12), was likely located in the western Mediterranean. Many scholars associate it with Tartessus in southwest Spain, a region rich in minerals. The collapse of Tyre would deeply affect them. Yet the people of Tarshish needed to understand that this disaster was not random. It was ordained by the Lord Almighty (v. 8-9), who purposed to humble this proud and powerful city, famed for bestowing crowns and dominating trade with its wealth and glory.

The devastation of Tyre’s trade is further emphasized in verses 10–14, where the Lord’s authority over the sea, Tyre’s source of strength, is asserted (v. 11). Even Sidon, closely tied to Tyre, is silenced and humiliated (v. 12). Chaldea (Babylon) is mentioned as another example of a once-glorious city laid waste (v. 13). These verses paint a picture of the Lord actively disrupting the prideful systems of the world. The disruption of commerce is not merely economic; it is theological. It testifies that God governs even the seemingly impersonal forces of international trade and power.

In a surprising conclusion, Isaiah prophesies a restoration of Tyre after seventy years (v. 15). The 70 years mentioned by Isaiah were probably from about 700 to 630 B.C., when the Assyrians greatly restricted Phoenicia’s trading. In 701, Assyria installed Tubu’alu (Ethbaal III) over Tyre. But around 630, Assyria declined in power, enabling Tyre to regain its autonomy and restore its trade.

However, this restoration carries a new purpose. Tyre will return to her trade, but her profits will no longer be for self-exaltation. Instead, her gain will be “set apart to the Lord” and used to provide for those who dwell in His presence (v. 18). This redemptive turn shows that God’s judgment is not final destruction but correction aimed at consecration. Tyre’s wealth, once a source of pride, will ultimately serve the purposes of holiness.

Isaiah 23 challenges every generation to evaluate where we place our security. Like Tyre, modern societies often build their identity on commerce, influence, and cultural prestige. But Isaiah reminds us that these are unstable foundations if separated from God. The theological truth running throughout the chapter is that God humbles the proud and exalts those who submit to Him. He controls not only spiritual destinies but the rise and fall of economies and empires. The ultimate application is to dedicate all that we have, including our resources, influence, and ambitions, to God’s purposes. By God’s grace, what once served selfish gain can be transformed into an offering of worship.

Isaiah 24–27 – The “Isaiah Apocalypse”

While chapters 13-20 and 21-23 address particular nations, chapters. 24-27 foresee the whole world in crisis at the end of history, but with the people of God wonderfully secured in their own city. This section is often called the Isaiah Apocalypse, since it depicts the final conflict and God’s victory in vivid images.

Isaiah 24

Isaiah 24 is a sweeping vision of global judgment, where the Lord lays waste to the earth without distinction, affecting all classes and roles (v. 1-2). This is due to humanity’s widespread rebellion: breaking God’s laws, violating statutes, and disregarding the everlasting covenant (v. 5), bringing a curse that leaves the land desolate (v. 6). Joy and festivity vanish (v. 7-9), and cities crumble in silence (v. 10), echoing the judgment language seen later in Revelation 18.

Yet, amid destruction, a faithful remnant lifts up praises to God from far lands (v. 14-16), reflecting the pattern of redemptive hope in the midst of wrath, much like Romans 11:5. However, sin still abounds, and creation groans under its weight (v. 17-20), foreshadowing the cosmic collapse described in Luke 21:26 and Revelation 6:12-17. God’s judgment extends even to heavenly powers (v. 21), culminating in His glorious reign in Zion (v. 23), where His glory outshines even the sun and moon, paralleled in Revelation 21:23.

God judges sin universally, yet preserves a remnant for Himself. His rule extends over both the physical and spiritual realms, and His final reign will eclipse all earthly power and glory. This chapter warns us not to place our trust in worldly stability or success. It calls us to live as part of God’s faithful remnant, worshipping through hardship, trusting in His justice, and looking forward to His eternal reign.

Isaiah 25

Isaiah 25 shifts from the global judgment of chapter 24 to a song of praise, celebrating God’s victory and justice. Here, Isaiah celebrates the Lord’s hospitality: a feast for all peoples on Mount Zion (v. 6), victory over death (v. 8), and the removal of every painful memory. Revelation 21:4 reflects this vision directly, as it promises a new heaven and earth where God will wipe away all tears.

The prophet begins by exalting the Lord for His faithfulness and sovereign plan, carried out perfectly across time (v. 1). God has reduced proud cities to ruin (v. 2), a demonstration of His justice, which leads even strong nations to honor Him (v. 3). In His mercy, God becomes a refuge for the poor and needy, a shelter from storm and heat (v. 4), echoing themes of divine protection seen in Psalm 46 and fulfilled spiritually in Christ (Matthew 11:28).

In verses 6-8, the imagery soars: God prepares a lavish banquet on Mount Zion, representing the joy of salvation and communion with Him. Here, death is swallowed up forever (v. 8), a promise Paul quotes in 1 Corinthians 15:54 to describe Christ’s final victory over the grave. God will wipe away tears and remove His people’s disgrace, portraying intimate compassion and full restoration (Revelation 21:4).

The people respond with joyful trust: “Behold, this is our God; we have waited for Him” (v. 9). The final verses (v. 10-12) contrast this hope with judgment on the proud, symbolized by Moab, who is trampled and brought low.

God is both just and merciful. He brings down the proud and lifts up the humble. He is a refuge, a restorer, and the one who ultimately defeats death. His salvation plan is global, yet deeply personal. Isaiah 25 invites us to praise God not just for His past faithfulness, but for His promised future. It challenges us to wait on Him with trust, especially in trials, and to remember that our hope is not in earthly strength but in the God who will one day wipe every tear and destroy death forever.

Isaiah 26

Isaiah 26 is a song of trust and victory, sung by the redeemed people of God. It opens with a vision of a strong, secure city where salvation is its walls and bulwarks (v. 1), symbolizing the safety of those who dwell in God’s presence. The righteous are invited to enter (v. 2), and verse 3 offers a profound promise: God keeps in perfect peace those whose minds are fixed on Him—a truth echoed in Philippians 4:7. This peace comes from trusting in the Lord, the everlasting Rock (v. 4), not in human power or institutions.

Verses 5–6 contrast the fate of the proud, whose lofty cities are brought low, with the humble, who tread securely. The path of the righteous is smoothed by God (v. 7), but even in judgment, the godly seek Him (v. 9), while the wicked remain blind and unrepentant (v. 10). The chapter acknowledges that even when grace is shown, some will not learn righteousness. Yet the prophet affirms that God’s hand is lifted up in judgment and will ultimately be recognized (v. 11).

Verses 12-15 reflect on God’s past acts of peace and deliverance, confessing that only the Lord’s name will endure. Earthly rulers have perished, but God alone gives life (v. 14). Verse 19 contains a stunning declaration of resurrection: “Your dead shall live… awake and sing, you who dwell in the dust!,” a rare Old Testament affirmation of bodily resurrection that connects closely with Daniel 12:2 and anticipates the resurrection hope in John 5:28-29 and 1 Thessalonians 4:16.

Finally, in verses 20–21, God’s people are told to hide themselves for a little while until His indignation passes. This language, reminiscent of the Passover (Exodus 12:22-23), also mirrors Revelation 6:15-17, where people hide from God’s wrath. The chapter ends with a clear affirmation: the Lord will come to punish the guilty, and nothing hidden will remain uncovered.

God is the sure foundation for peace and protection. His justice is righteous and purposeful, yet His mercy always invites repentance. He is the God of resurrection and ultimate restoration. Isaiah 26 calls us to live with steadfast trust in God amid turmoil. Are our minds stayed on Him (v. 3), or on our circumstances? We are invited to live with resurrection hope and remain faithful while awaiting God’s final justice. In seasons of darkness or delay, God calls us to enter into His presence and wait patiently, knowing He will act in His time.

Isaiah 27

Isaiah 27 brings closure to the section of judgment and hope that began in chapter 24, focusing on God’s final victory over evil and His tender care for His people. It opens with a powerful image of the Lord slaying Leviathan (v. 1). Leviathan, an ancient symbol of evil and chaos, appears in Ugaritic mythology as a powerful, dragon-like, many-headed sea creature, often seen as an enemy of order in creation. Isaiah refers to Leviathan with three descriptions: the fleeing serpent, the twisting serpent, and the dragon in the sea, corresponding to the Lord’s threefold weapon—His hard, great, and strong sword. Though the imagery comes from ancient myth, Scripture redefines it with divine truth: Leviathan is no rival to God, but merely a created being—God’s plaything (Ps. 104:26), already defeated (Ps. 74:12-14). Isaiah anticipates a future day when God will finally and decisively destroy this embodiment of evil, symbolizing His ultimate triumph over chaos and wickedness—a victory echoed in Revelation 12:7-9, and fulfilled at the end of the Tribulation.

Isaiah then turns toward redemption, using the image of a vineyard to symbolize Israel (v. 2-6). Unlike the earlier depiction of a failed vineyard in Isaiah 5, this one is lovingly cared for by the Lord. Jacob (Israel) will take root and blossom, bearing fruit that fills the world (v.6), recalling God’s promise to make them a blessing to all nations (Genesis 12:3). God’s discipline, though severe, has a redemptive purpose—to purge sin and idolatry (v. 8-9). Only when their altars and Asherah poles are destroyed will forgiveness come. The desolation of cities in verses 10-11 serves as a warning: those who lack understanding of God’s ways are destined for ruin.

But hope returns in verses 12-13, as God promises to gather His scattered people from the Euphrates to Egypt (v. 12), a symbolic reversal of exile. A great trumpet will sound, and the exiles will return to worship the Lord in Jerusalem (v. 13), foreshadowing the ultimate regathering in the end times (Matthew 24:31; Romans 11:26). This restored vineyard reflects God’s ongoing commitment to His people, even after their failure, pointing to a future of protection, peace, and renewed relationship.

God is both a warrior who defeats evil and a gardener who nurtures His people. His discipline is restorative, not vindictive. He calls His people to repentance and promises ultimate redemption and return. Isaiah 27 challenges us to examine whether our lives bear the fruit of being part of God’s vineyard. Do we submit to His pruning and discipline (Hebrews 12:11)? It also calls us to trust in His power over evil and His faithfulness to gather and restore. We are reminded that God’s ultimate goal is not judgment, but communion—drawing His people near to worship Him in joy and holiness.

Theological Truths

Isaiah 23–27 weaves theological themes that resonate throughout Scripture, culminating in the New Testament’s fulfillment in Christ.

1. God’s Dominion Over Nations and Cosmos - From Tyre’s collapse to global upheaval in chapters 24-27, Isaiah reminds us that God controls the fate of all human and cosmic powers.

2. Judgment with a Purpose - Judgment isn’t punitive only—it is transformative, leading to restoration. Isaiah 23:18 makes Tyre’s wealth “holy to the Lord,” a pattern that finds its fullest expression in Christ’s redemptive work.

3. Resurrection and New Creation - Isaiah’s vision of hope—“Your dead shall live” (26:19)—prefigures New Testament resurrection theology. Paul’s declaration in 1 Corinthians 15 resounds here: mortality gives way to immortality.

4. Messianic Meal and Unity of Nations - Isaiah 25’s feast for all peoples foreshadows Christ’s table, where Jew and Gentile are welcomed. Revelation’s eternal banquet (19:9) fulfills this promise.

5. Christ as Ultimate Judge and Redeemer - The serpent’s defeat in Isaiah 27:1 becomes the victorious Gospel narrative in Romans 16:20 and Revelation 12:11-12, where Christ conquers sin and Satan.

Conclusion

Isaiah 23–27 invites us to lift our eyes from the rise and fall of human empires to the unshakable reign of God. Tyre’s downfall shows that wealth and worldly success are fleeting, but the closing chapters remind us of something far greater: God will swallow up death forever, wipe away tears, and bring His people into everlasting peace. These visions call us to humility, repentance, and hopeful expectation. In a world filled with instability and pride, Isaiah assures us that God is building a kingdom that will never be destroyed—where His redeemed will sing, “You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on You” (Isaiah 26:3). Our task is to live now in light of that future.