Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary

ISAIAH - CHAPTER 27

PUNISHMENT AND PRESERVATION

Without attempting to define or describe "leviathan", which the Lord will punish with His sword, it is sufficient to recognize it as symbolizing: Assyrian Sennacheib (the piercing serpent of the swift-flowing Tigris), Babylonian Nebuchadnezzar -(the coiling serpent of the Euphrates), and the Egyptian Pharaoh - all of those whose evil characteristics will be concentrated in the anti-christ, (Isaiah 27:1; Psalms 74:14).

The Lord will put an end to the old dragon who has been the perpetual serpent and enemy of His people, (Isaiah 27:1 b; comp. Revelation 12-13; Revelation 20:1-3; Revelation 20:7-10).

1. Here Israel, the vineyard of the Lord (condemned and judged in chapter 5), is restored and blessed by her divine Planter and Keeper, (vs. 2-3a; Psalms 80:8-9).

2. He waters the vineyard constantly (comp. Isaiah 58:11), and, lest anything hurt it, keeps it constantly, (vs. 3; comp. Isaiah 31:5; 1 Samuel 2:9; John 10:28).

3. His wrath toward Israel is spent, but if briars and thorns attempt to hinder them He will trample and burn them, (vs. 4; Isaiah 10:17; 2 Samuel 23:6; Isaiah 33:12; Matthew 3:12; Hebrews 6:8).

4. Yet, He invites them to make peace with Him; it is possible for Israel’s foes to make peace with Israel’s God, (vs. 5; Isaiah 26:3; Job 22:21; Jeremiah 9:24; 2 Corinthians 5:20).

5. In generations to come (after Leviathan has been destroyed), Jacob will take root (vs. 6; 37:31), Israel will blossom and bud (Isaiah 35:1-2; Hosea 14:4-7), and they will fill the earth with fruit, (Isaiah 4:2-3).

1. Israel’s punishment, tempered with mercy, is not as severe as that of her enemies, (vs. 7; comp. Isaiah 30:31-33; Isaiah 31:8-9; Isaiah 37:36-38).

2. Her punishment is carefully measured - the Lord sending her into exile (to purge her sin), rather than putting her to death as an adulteress, (vs. 8-9; Isaiah 48:9-11; Isaiah 50:1; Isaiah 54:7; Isaiah 1:25; Hosea 10:8); she must forever abandon her idols, (Isaiah 17:8; Exodus 34:13; Deuteronomy 12:3; Romans 11:27).

3. Before this comes to pass Jerusalem must be destroyed; only through humiliation can her rebel heart ever know the real blessing of Jehovah, (vs. 10-11; Romans 11:17; Romans 11:19-20; Deuteronomy 32:28-29; Jeremiah 5:21; Hosea 4:6).

Vs. 12-13: ULTIMATE MERCY AND RESTORATION

1. The restoration of Israel is likened unto the beating of olives from the trees, (vs. 12; Isaiah 11:11-12; Isaiah 17:6; Isaiah 24:13; Isaiah 56:6-8).

2. At the sound of a great trumpet they which were ready to perish will come to worship the Lord in the holy mountain at Jerusalem, (vs. 13; Matthew 24:31; Zechariah 14:16-17).