LEVIATHAN: Ref an ancient mythological 7-headed sea
monster, or dragon; used of Babylon and Egypt (Job 3:8; 41:1; Psa 74:14; 104:26;
Isa 27:1): see Lesson, Leviathan.
LEVIATHAN THE GLIDING SERPENT: Nineveh of Assyria: the
"serpent" (Heb "nachash") in the swift-running Tigris (modern Syria). Some
translate "slippery" or "slithering".
LEVIATHAN THE COILING SERPENT: Babylon: the "serpent"
(Heb "nachash") in the slow meandering Euphrates (modern Iraq). [Yet the
Euphrates is used to sym Assyria also: Isa 8:7. So, at this time, perhaps both
rivers sym Assyria, as the ruler over Babylon.]
THE MONSTER OF THE SEA: Egypt, a "crocodile" (Heb
"tannin") in the vast expanse of the Nile (Eze 29:3; 32:2; Nah 3:8). Egypt: a
false "friend" of Israel (Isa 30:2,3; 31:1). LD: Rev 13:1: the beast coming out
of the sea.
Isa 27:2
A FRUITFUL VINEYARD: In the days of Ahaz, Israel had
been a decidedly "unfruitful" vineyard (Isa 5); but now, in Hezekiah's day, much
the reverse!
Isa 27:4
Vv 4,5: "I am not angry. I wish I could confront some thorns
and briers! Then I would march against them for battle; I would set them all on
fire, unless they became my subjects, and made peace with me" (NET). In Isa 5:6
God MADE thorns and briers to grow in his unfruitful vineyard; here, He promises
to DESTROY any thorns and briers that threaten His vineyard -- a total
contrast!
Isa 27:6
JACOB... ISRAEL: Prob repentant worshipers coming out
of Northern Kingdom and from captivity in Babylon/Assyria. They will now prosper
greatly, and bring forth fruit! The startling and utterly unexpected blessedness
of an abundantly fruitful Year of Jubilee (2Ki 19:29,30), which God promised
beforehand and then gave (Isa 61) -- in ct to the blandishments of the Assyrian
emissary, promising these very blessings, but not at all intending to fulfill
(2Ki 18:31,32).
WORLD: Heb "tebel" = the whole world, not just the Land
-- prob here used to emphasize... not just Judah, but Judah and Israel
besides!
Isa 27:9
HE MAKES ALL THE ALTAR STONES TO BE LIKE CHALK STONES
CRUSHED TO PIECES: Ref the Assyrian altar erected by Ahaz (2Ki 16:12-16).
These emblems of idolatry and false trust in Gentile alliances were destroyed at
Hezekiah's command (2Ki 18:4; 2Ch 31:1).
Vv 10,11: Which city is this? Uncertain. Poss the "fortified
cities" of Judah, which had been (previously) overrun and destroyed by
Sennacherib's host, on their way to Jerusalem?
Isa 27:11
A PEOPLE WITHOUT UNDERSTANDING: Quoting Deu 32:28, re
Israel's history. Cp Hos 4:6: Israel is destroyed for lack of
knowledge.
Isa 27:12
THRESH... GATHERED UP ONE BY ONE: Not a judgment or
punishment, but rather a gleaning. Every single one of the righteous remnant
will be "gathered" by God; not one will be lost!
FROM... EUPHRATES TO THE WADI OF EGYPT: From the far
north to the far south of the Land (Gen 15:18). Hezek's effort to gather into
the renewed worship of Yahweh all God's people (2Ch 30:10), and those even
further afield -- esp those who were carried captive to Babylon/Assyria, and
those who fled far away, to Egypt.
Isa 27:13
A GREAT TRUMPET WILL SOUND: By which, on the Day of
Atonement, the great Year of Jubilee is to be inaugurated (Lev 25:9) --
accompanied by the freeing of all bondslaves and the return of every man to his
inheritance (Lev 25:10). (LD) Trumpet blasts: Mat 24:31; 1Th 4:16; Rev
11:15.
... WILL COME AND WORSHIP... IN JERUSALEM: The Feast of
Tabernacles for all nations (cp Isa 24:23; 25:6,7,10; 2:2,3; 19:23-25; Zec
14:16).