Isaiah - Chapter 34

Isaiah 34.1 Come near, ye nations, to hear; and hearken, ye people: let the earth hear, and all that is therein; the world, and all things that come forth of it. Isaiah 34.2 For the indignation of the LORD is upon all nations, and his fury upon all their armies: he hath utterly destroyed them, he hath delivered them to the slaughter. Isaiah 34.3 Their slain also shall be cast out, and their stink shall come up out of their carcases, and the mountains shall be melted with their blood. Isaiah 34.4 And all the host of heaven shall be dissolved, and the heavens shall be rolled together as a scroll: and all their host shall fall down, as the leaf falleth off from the vine, and as a falling fig from the fig tree. Isaiah 34.5 For my sword shall be bathed in heaven: behold, it shall come down upon Idumea, and upon the people of my curse, to judgment. Isaiah 34.6 The sword of the LORD is filled with blood, it is made fat with fatness, and with the blood of lambs and goats, with the fat of the kidneys of rams: for the LORD hath a sacrifice in Bozrah, and a great slaughter in the land of Idumea. Isaiah 34.7 And the unicorns shall come down with them, and the bullocks with the bulls; and their land shall be soaked with blood, and their dust made fat with fatness. Isaiah 34.8 For it is the day of the LORD’s vengeance, and the year of recompences for the controversy of Zion. Isaiah 34.9 And the streams thereof shall be turned into pitch, and the dust thereof into brimstone, and the land thereof shall become burning pitch. Isaiah 34.10 It shall not be quenched night nor day; the smoke thereof shall go up for ever: from generation to generation it shall lie waste; none shall pass through it for ever and ever. Isaiah 34.11 But the cormorant and the bittern shall possess it; the owl also and the raven shall dwell in it: and he shall stretch out upon it the line of confusion, and the stones of emptiness. Isaiah 34.12 They shall call the nobles thereof to the kingdom, but none shall be there, and all her princes shall be nothing. Isaiah 34.13 And thorns shall come up in her palaces, nettles and brambles in the fortresses thereof: and it shall be an habitation of dragons, and a court for owls. Isaiah 34.14 The wild beasts of the desert shall also meet with the wild beasts of the island, and the satyr shall cry to his fellow; the screech owl also shall rest there, and find for herself a place of rest. Isaiah 34.15 There shall the great owl make her nest, and lay, and hatch, and gather under her shadow: there shall the vultures also be gathered, every one with her mate. Isaiah 34.16 Seek ye out of the book of the LORD, and read: no one of these shall fail, none shall want her mate: for my mouth it hath commanded, and his spirit it hath gathered them. Isaiah 34.17 And he hath cast the lot for them, and his hand hath divided it unto them by line: they shall possess it for ever, from generation to generation shall they dwell therein.

Isaiah : Chapter 34

The Judgment of the Nations according to Isaiah 34

Chapter 34 of the book of Isaiah vividly depicts the judgment of the nations. What fate awaits God's enemies? This striking passage illustrates divine judgment through apocalyptic language, with particular emphasis on Edom. Through cosmic and earthly imagery, the text underscores God's wrath in the face of wickedness.

Central Themes of the Chapter

Isaiah 34 addresses crucial themes such as divine justice, the transience of earthly kingdoms, and God's faithfulness to His Word. We invite you to meditate on five biblical passages that resonate with the powerful visions of this revelatory chapter.

Biblical Resonances

Revelation 6:13-14: "The stars of heaven fell to the earth, just as a fig tree casts its unripe figs when shaken by a strong wind. The sky collapsed like a scroll rolled up, and every mountain and island were moved from their places." » This passage reflects the images of cosmic judgment present in Isaiah 34:4.

2 Peter 3:7: "By this same word the heavens and the earth, which are now, are reserved for fire, reserved for the day of judgment and the destruction of the wicked." This verse echoes the theme of divine judgment addressed in Isaiah 34.

Matthew 24:35: "Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away." » This passage underscores the permanence of God's word, as mentioned in Isaiah 34:16.

Revelation 19:17-18: "I saw an angel standing in the sun. He called out with a loud voice to all the birds flying in mid-heaven, “Come and gather together to the great banquet of God, to eat the flesh of kings, commanders, and mighty men…” This verse reflects the imagery of judgment found in Isaiah 34:6-7.

Jude 1:7: “So also Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding towns committed sexual immorality and perverted sexual relations. They are suffering the punishment of eternal fire as an example to all.” » This passage connects with the mention of Edom and its judgment in Isaiah 34:5-6.

Reflecting on these texts, we are called to consider the serenity of divine justice and the importance of remaining faithful to God's Word in a constantly changing world.