Isaiah 24

Behold, the LORD makes the earth empty, makes it waste, turns it upside down, and scatters its inhabitants.

It will be as with the people, so with the priest; as with the servant, so with his master; as with the maid, so with her mistress; as with the buyer, so with the seller; as with the creditor, so with the debtor; as with the taker of interest, so with the giver of interest.

The earth will be utterly emptied and utterly laid waste; for the LORD has spoken this word.

The earth mourns and fades away. The world languishes and fades away. The lofty people of the earth languish.

The earth also is polluted under its inhabitants, because they have transgressed the laws, violated the statutes, and broken the everlasting covenant.

Therefore the curse has devoured the earth, and those who dwell therein are found guilty. Therefore the inhabitants of the earth are burned, and few men are left.

The new wine mourns. The vine languishes. All the merry-hearted sigh.

The mirth of tambourines ceases. The sound of those who rejoice ends. The joy of the harp ceases.

They will not drink wine with a song. Strong drink will be bitter to those who drink it.

The confused city is broken down. Every house is shut up, that no man may come in.

There is a crying in the streets because of the wine. All joy is darkened. The mirth of the land is gone.

The city is left in desolation, and the gate is struck with destruction.

For it will be so within the earth among the peoples, as the shaking of an olive tree, as the gleanings when the vintage is done.

These shall lift up their voice. They will shout for the majesty of the LORD. They cry aloud from the sea.

Therefore glorify the LORD in the east, even the name of the LORD, the God of Israel, in the islands of the sea!

From the uttermost part of the earth have we heard songs. Glory to the righteous! But I said, “I pine away! I pine away! woe is me!” The treacherous have dealt treacherously. Yes, the treacherous have dealt very treacherously.

Fear, the pit, and the snare are on you who inhabit the earth.

It will happen that he who flees from the noise of the fear will fall into the pit; and he who comes up out of the middle of the pit will be taken in the snare; for the windows on high are opened, and the foundations of the earth tremble.

The earth is utterly broken. The earth is torn apart. The earth is shaken violently.

The earth will stagger like a drunken man, and will sway back and forth like a hammock. Its disobedience will be heavy on it, and it will fall and not rise again.

It will happen in that day that the LORD will punish the army of the high ones on high, and the kings of the earth on the earth.

They will be gathered together, as prisoners are gathered in the pit, and will be shut up in the prison; and after many days they will be visited.

Then the moon will be confounded, and the sun ashamed; for the LORD of Armies will reign on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem; and glory will be before his elders.

Chapter overviewAI-generated

Overview.
This chapter delivers a sweeping vision of divine judgment on the whole earth, portrayed as a universal desolation caused by human rebellion against God’s covenant. It moves from the devastation of creation and society to a brief recognition of God’s glory by the remnant, then returns to cosmic upheaval and the punishment of earthly and spiritual rulers, culminating in the Lord’s final reign in Zion.

Flow.

Begins with the Lord’s judgment on the earth, which is made “empty” and “laid waste” because of humanity’s covenant unfaithfulness (vv. 1–3).
Describes the effects of this judgment: social collapse, ecological decay, and the loss of all joy and cultural vitality (vv. 4–12).
Interrupts the lament with a note of praise from a remnant who acknowledge the Lord’s majesty, though the prophet himself grieves over pervasive treachery (vv. 13–16).
Returns to judgment, depicting global terror and cosmic instability, followed by the Lord’s punishment of heavenly and earthly powers, and concludes with His eternal reign in Jerusalem (vv. 17–23).

Connections.
Following chapter 23, which details the fall of the nations and particularly Tyre, chapter 24 expands the scope to the entire earth, universalizing the theme of divine judgment. The desolation here is not limited to one city or nation but encompasses all creation, setting the stage for the eschatological hope in Jerusalem that chapter 25 develops—where the Lord will “swallow up death forever” and establish a feast for all peoples. The cosmic dimensions of chapter 24 serve as a necessary backdrop to the redemption celebrated in the following chapters.

What it teaches.
The earth’s defilement and collapse result from humanity’s violation of God’s created order and covenant (WCF 19.2), which brings a curse that cannot be reversed by human effort (WCF 7.3). The judgment is comprehensive, affecting all classes and all levels of creation—a testimony to God’s sovereign justice. Yet even in judgment, a remnant responds with praise (v. 14), foreshadowing the gathering of the nations to God’s holy mountain (HC LD 12). The Lord’s ultimate victory over rebellious powers, both earthly and spiritual (v. 21), points forward to His final reign (cf. WCF 8.6), when creation will be restored under His undivided authority.

Apply.
When joy is gone and the world seems to collapse, the only lasting hope is the reign of the LORD in Zion.

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