Isaiah

Isaiah 34: God judges for Zion’s cause

Begin in prayer

Before the nations are called to hear God’s judgment, let us bow before His justice. Ask Him to show our family the seriousness of sin and the refuge found through faith in Jesus Christ.

Yahweh, you God to whom vengeance belongs, you God to whom vengeance belongs, shine out.

Psalm 94:1

Father in heaven, please open our eyes as we read Your Word. Help us hear the severity of Your judgment with reverence. Show us Christ, who bore judgment for sinners, and help us trust Him. Make us more like Jesus. And please bless our family as we worship You together. In Jesus' name, Amen.

See where we're going

All nations and the whole earth are summoned to hear the LORD’s anger against their armies. The dead lie cast out, and the sky’s host dissolves as the heavens roll up like a scroll. God’s sword descends on Edom, with a great slaughter at Bozrah described as His sacrifice. This is His appointed day of vengeance and repayment for Zion’s cause. Streams become pitch, the ground becomes sulfur, and unquenched burning leaves the land waste from generation to generation. Nobles and princes vanish while thorns, wild animals and birds occupy the empty palaces and fortresses. God commands readers to search His book, because His mouth and Spirit ensure that every creature receives its allotted place.

As you read Isaiah 34, look for the answers:

Reflect together

Key truth

God judges the nations for Zion’s cause, and His word makes their lasting ruin certain.

The summons to all nations makes Edom’s judgment a warning for the world to hear. The drawn sword and slaughter described as sacrifice declare the weight of God’s anger. Zion’s cause is brought before Him, and He appoints the day of repayment. Rolling sky and falling leaves show that no created power can hold its place against His judgment. Edom was the nation that came from Esau, Jacob’s brother (Genesis 36 verse 1). Yet Edom rejoiced when Judah was destroyed, so God takes up Zion’s cause (Obadiah verses 10 to 12). Pitch, sulfur and smoke that rises forever show a ruin as final as the sentence God speaks. The final command to read God’s book ties each detail to His spoken word and His Spirit’s action.

How does Isaiah 34 show us that God judges the nations for Zion’s cause, and His word makes their lasting ruin certain?

God’s judgment reaches the powers of the earth.

He summons the nations and announces anger against their armies. Edom is named as the place His sword descends. Bozrah’s slaughter is called His sacrifice, showing the severity of the sentence.

God appoints repayment for Zion’s cause.

The day belongs to Him, and He determines its recompense. Burning pitch and sulfur picture devastation that no one can quench. Its smoke rises forever, and desolation continues from generation to generation.

God’s word will be fulfilled in lasting desolation.

The palaces and fortresses lose their rulers and fill with thorns and wild creatures. God tells readers to search His book. His mouth commands, His Spirit gathers, and His hand allots the creatures their dwelling.

Memorise

For Yahweh has a day of vengeance, a year of recompense for the cause of Zion.

Isaiah 34:8

Looking to Jesus in my life

Ask yourself in your heart, what do I do with my sin, and why do I need Jesus?

The nations must hear of “a day of vengeance, a year of recompense for the cause of Zion.” God’s justice will answer the wrong done before Him. Edom’s abandoned kingdom warns that no earthly power can cancel His sentence.

Our own sin also deserves the holy God’s judgment. Jesus took the sentence on Himself for His people and died in their place. He rose from the grave, and no charge remains against those He has redeemed, because His death answers God’s judgment in full. He has finished what no strength of ours could begin.

Turn from sin and trust the Lord Jesus for forgiveness. The risen Lord grants pardon to all who put their faith in Him. Hear the warning while God calls you to repent. The risen Savior is a sure refuge from judgment that human defenses cannot withstand.

Parent's note

Tell your children that God is just, and that Jesus bore God’s judgment for all who come to Him. Please explain the slaughter and the burning plainly, in your own words. Please do not tell them they are saved just because they grew up in a Christian home. Call each child to turn from sin and trust Jesus, and pray that God would give them a new heart.

Pray together

Now please close your time together in prayer. Thank God that His justice answers evil and His word of judgment cannot fail, and bring the heart question to Him. Every child can pray, so let each one say a short prayer if they want to.

These will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.

Matthew 25:46

God of justice, thank You for telling us the truth about sin and its judgment. Please lead us to Jesus for forgiveness and shelter. Keep us from treating evil lightly, and help us trust Your promise to judge rightly. Give our family reverence and repentance this week. Amen.