What does Isaiah 34 mean?

Isaiah 34 is a vivid and powerful chapter that deals with God's judgment upon the nations, particularly Edom. This chapter is a part of a larger section in the Book of Isaiah that speaks to God's sovereignty and His ultimate plan for justice and redemption. Understanding Isaiah 34 requires us to delve into its historical context, literary structure, and theological significance.

Isaiah 34 begins with a universal call to all nations and peoples to listen to the word of the Lord:

"Come near, you nations, and listen; pay attention, you peoples! Let the earth hear, and all that is in it, the world, and all that comes out of it!" (Isaiah 34:1, NIV).

This opening verse sets the stage for a message that is not limited to Israel or Judah but extends to the entire world. It underscores the universal scope of God's judgment and His authority over all creation.

The following verses (Isaiah 34:2-4) describe the intensity of God's wrath against the nations:

"The Lord is angry with all nations; his wrath is on all their armies. He will totally destroy them, he will give them over to slaughter. Their slain will be thrown out, their dead bodies will stink; the mountains will be soaked with their blood. All the stars in the sky will be dissolved and the heavens rolled up like a scroll; all the starry host will fall like withered leaves from the vine, like shriveled figs from the fig tree."

These verses depict a scene of cosmic upheaval and devastation. The language is apocalyptic, with imagery of the heavens dissolving and the stars falling. This kind of imagery is often used in prophetic literature to signify the end of an era or a significant divine intervention in human history. The total destruction of armies and the graphic depiction of dead bodies emphasize the completeness of God's judgment.

Isaiah 34:5-7 shifts the focus specifically to Edom:

"My sword has drunk its fill in the heavens; see, it descends in judgment on Edom, the people I have totally destroyed. The sword of the Lord is bathed in blood, it is covered with fat— the blood of lambs and goats, fat from the kidneys of rams. For the Lord has a sacrifice in Bozrah and a great slaughter in the land of Edom. And the wild oxen will fall with them, the bull calves and the great bulls. Their land will be drenched with blood, and the dust will be soaked with fat."

Edom, a nation descended from Esau, is often portrayed in the Old Testament as an adversary of Israel. This passage uses sacrificial language, comparing the judgment of Edom to a ritual sacrifice. Bozrah, a major city in Edom, is singled out as the site of this great slaughter. The imagery of the sword of the Lord being "bathed in blood" and the land being "drenched with blood" conveys the severity and finality of God's judgment.

The reason for this judgment is elaborated in the subsequent verses (Isaiah 34:8-10):

"For the Lord has a day of vengeance, a year of retribution, to uphold Zion's cause. Edom’s streams will be turned into pitch, her dust into burning sulfur; her land will become blazing pitch! It will not be quenched night and day; its smoke will rise forever. From generation to generation it will lie desolate; no one will ever pass through it again."

Here, the text reveals that God's vengeance is a form of retribution to uphold Zion's cause. This indicates that the judgment upon Edom is not arbitrary but is a response to their actions against Israel. The transformation of Edom's land into a desolate, burning wasteland symbolizes the utter and irreversible nature of God's judgment. The reference to smoke rising forever echoes the imagery of eternal punishment found in other parts of Scripture, such as Revelation 14:11.

Isaiah 34:11-15 continues with a description of the desolation of Edom:

"The desert owl and screech owl will possess it; the great owl and the raven will nest there. God will stretch out over Edom the measuring line of chaos and the plumb line of desolation. Her nobles will have nothing there to be called a kingdom, all her princes will vanish away. Thorns will overrun her citadels, nettles and brambles her strongholds. She will become a haunt for jackals, a home for owls. Desert creatures will meet with hyenas, and wild goats will bleat to each other; there the night creatures will also repose and find for themselves places of rest. The owl will nest there and lay eggs, she will hatch them, and care for her young under the shadow of her wings; there also the falcons will gather, each with its mate."

The imagery here is one of complete abandonment and ruin. The once-thriving land of Edom will become a haunt for wild animals and birds, a place of chaos and desolation. The use of the "measuring line of chaos" and the "plumb line of desolation" suggests that this judgment is measured and deliberate, a reflection of God's justice.

Finally, Isaiah 34:16-17 concludes with a call to verify the prophecy:

"Look in the scroll of the Lord and read: None of these will be missing, not one will lack her mate. For it is his mouth that has given the order, and his Spirit will gather them together. He allots their portions; his hand distributes them by measure. They will possess it forever and dwell there from generation to generation."

This ending emphasizes the certainty and reliability of God's word. The fulfillment of this prophecy is assured because it is decreed by God Himself. The reference to the scroll of the Lord underscores the written and authoritative nature of this prophecy.

In summary, Isaiah 34 is a powerful declaration of God's judgment against the nations, with a particular focus on Edom. It uses vivid and apocalyptic imagery to convey the severity and finality of this judgment. The chapter underscores the themes of God's sovereignty, justice, and the ultimate vindication of His people. For a non-denominational Christian, this passage serves as a reminder of God's righteous judgment and the assurance that He will ultimately bring justice to the world. It also points to the broader biblical narrative of salvation and redemption, where God's judgment is not the end but a part of His plan to restore and renew all creation.