Isaiah 27:1-4 – Judgement on Enemies
We see the judgment of the church’s enemy particularly in verses 1 and 4. This is talking about the fact that Jehovah does indeed judge the wicked, and He takes them out of the earth. No matter how clever they might be, no matter how strong they may be, no matter how many their friends, no matter how many their weapons, God judges them. He may allow them, for his good purposes, to arise for a time. But it is so that, in the proper time, He can show His own glory.
So who gets this judgment of God? We see here Leviathan in verse 1 and the thorns in verse 4. What is Leviathan? That English word that we read here is from the Hebrew word that basically means a sea serpent, a great and powerful animal of some sort that lived in the sea. There have been different ways of understanding what kind of animal this might be. No one really knows. But the Leviathan is a picture of something here. Many commentators believe that Leviathan is referring to Egypt, the one who had enslaved Israel, and the one who was a country that was a constant temptation to Israel to flee to for help instead of to the LORD. Many commentators believe that this is referring to Assyria. Assyria, who, at this time, was ready to strike in any direction to make itself grander and more powerful. Many other commentators believe that this is Babylon. Babylon, who would take the people from God’s land. There’s a further thought here that I would have you consider, and that’s this – judgment comes upon these places because of their refusal to yield to the truth that is in God’s Word, their refusal to yield to Jehovah. The thorns in verse 4 seek to assert themselves in defiance against the Lord. They are burned to pieces, and great, powerful, dangerous Leviathan is destroyed. That judgment was not only for Isaiah’s time. It was not only for Old Testament time. It was not only for Bible time. It is for all time. It continues now under the hand of Prince Messiah against all the enemies of His beloved bride. There are great enemies even yet. But they’re only allowed to go so far. And at the proper time, God will take them in hand and destroy them. King Jesus protects his beloved bride.
Questions
- Why does God let His enemies grow in strength?
- What is a Leviathan?
Prayer Points
- Give thanks that God protects His people.
- Use prayer points from your congregation.
- Pray for family matters.