Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Isaiah 32:16
Then judgment shall dwell in the wilderness, and righteousness remain in the fruitful field.
16. “Judgment” and “righteousness,” the foundations of social order (ch. Isa 1:21; Isa 1:26 f., Isa 28:17), shall then be established throughout the land. The “wilderness” (i.e. untilled pasture-land) is not annihilated, only pushed further into the desert proper; even there the reign of right extends.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Then judgment shall dwell – Or, justice shall make its appropriate dwelling-place there.
In the wilderness – In the place that was a wilderness, but that shall now be turned to a fruitful field.
In the fruitful field – In the nation that is like a fruitful field; in Judea restored.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Judgment; just judgment, as the next clause explains it. Justice shall be executed in all the parts of the land, both in the barren and fruitful places, and shall be practised by all my people; which agrees with that promise, Isa 60:21, Thy people shall be all righteous, &c.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
16. judgmentjustice.
wildernessthenreclaimed.
fruitful fieldthenbecome more fruitful (Isa 32:15);thus “wilderness” and “fruitful field” includethe whole land of Judea.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
Then judgment shall dwell in the wilderness,…. In the desert part of the world, inhabited by Pagans, Papists, and Mahometans; where the Scriptures, the rule of judgment, and where the Gospel, sometimes called the judgment of the Lord, Isa 51:4 had no place, now they shall have one, and an abiding one; and men of judgment in spiritual and evangelical things, and such as do justice and judgment, shall dwell there:
and righteousness remain in the fruitful field; both the doctrine and practice of righteousness shall continue in the church of God, which will be the glory of it; the righteous men will be the settled constant inhabitants of it; these will be all righteous at this time,
Isa 60:21 not only by profession, but in truth and reality; at least the far greater part; so the Targum interprets it of those that do judgment and do righteousness.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
16. And judgment shall dwell in the wilderness. The Prophet shews what is the actual condition of the Church, that is, when justice and judgment prevail; for men ought not to be like cattle, which seek nothing but plenty of food and abundance of outward things. And hence it is plain enough that the Jews were not confined to transitory enjoyments, so as to have their hope fixed exclusively on earthly blessings, as some fanatics imagine. They were enjoined to attend to that which was of the greatest importance, that justice and judgment should prevail; and undoubtedly they knew that true happiness consists in it. It is therefore our duty to look chiefly to this, that we should not, like hogs in a sty, judge of the happiness of life by abundance of bread and wine; for this is the end of all the blessings which the Lord bestows upon us, this is the object of our deliverance, “that we should serve him,” as Zacharias says, “in holiness and righteousness.” (Luk 1:74.)
Under the terms “justice” and “judgment,” as we have already seen, he includes all that belongs to uprightness; for although these two words relate strictly to that equity which ought to be mutually cultivated among us, yet, since it is customary to describe the observation of the whole law by the duties of the second table, here the Prophet, by a figure of speech in which a part is taken for the whole, embraces also piety and the worship of God. The Prophets are accustomed to notice the chief duties of brotherly kindness, and those which belong to the second table, because by these, more than by any others, we manifest the real state of our feelings towards God.
When he declares that justice and judgment have their abode in the wilderness, as well as in the cultivated fields, this shews more clearly that the abundance of blessings promised a little before was so great that, when men saw it, they would consider that those fields which they formerly looked upon as very excellent had been comparatively barren.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
(16) Then judgment shall dwell . . .Outward blessings, themselves symbols of something beyond themselves, are followed by spiritual. Over the whole country, from the one extreme of cultivation to the other, the judgment and righteousness which had been so lacking should now find a home, and bring their blessed fruits of peace, and confidence, and calm. The whole picture is that of a smiling land, a God-fearing and contented people, all in striking contrast with the panic and unrest with which the people had been but too familiar.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
DISCOURSE: 907
THE WORK OF RIGHTEOUSNESS IS PEACE
Isa 32:16-17. Then judgment shall dwell in the wilderness, and righteousness remain in the fruitful field. And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness, quietness and assurance for ever.
THROUGH the introduction of sin into the world, man was altogether despoiled both of holiness and happiness: and the design of God in sending to us his Gospel was, to restore both the one and the other to our fallen race. This in a former chapter is set forth under the image of the brute creation, which, having through the fall of man been reduced to a state of the greatest disorder, shall be restored once more to universal harmony and peace. The wolf shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid: and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together, and a little child shall lead them. And the cow and the bear shall feed; their young ones shall lie down together: and the lion shall eat straw like the ox: and the sucking child shall play on the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the cockatrice den: they shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea [Note: Isai. 1169.]. In the passage before us the same truth is set forth under a different image, namely, that of the vegetable creation; which, having been reduced to the condition of a wilderness through the curse inflicted on it, shall be rendered fruitful, even beyond the most fertile parts of Palestine in the most fruitful seasons.
That the passage really relates to the times of the Gospel, does not admit of doubt. In the beginning of the chapter it is said, Behold, a King shall reign in righteousness; and princes shall rule in judgment: and a man shall be as an hiding-place from the wind, and a covert from the tempest; as rivers of water in a dry place; as the shadow of a great rock in a weary land [Note: ver. 1, 2.]. A season indeed of great desolation should intervene between the prophecy and its accomplishment [Note: ver. 911.]: but at the appointed time the Spirit should be poured out in such abundance from on high, that the wilderness should become a fruitful field, and the fruitful field be so productive as to be counted for a forest.
In my text the metaphor is explained: and we are told in plainer terms what shall be,
I.
The character of Gospel times
By judgment and righteousness, I understand not merely that which is called justice between man and man, but universal holiness. And this will certainly characterize the Gospel dispensation
[This is evident from the very metaphor before us. In other parts of this prophecy the metaphor is yet further opened and explained. Thus in the 35th chapter it is said, The wilderness and the solitary place shall be glad; and the desert shall rejoice and blossom as the rose: it shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice even with joy and singing: the glory of Lebanon shall be given unto it, the excellency of Carmel and Sharon: they shall see the glory of the Lord, and the excellency of our God . . For in the wilderness shall waters break out, and streams in the desert . . And an high-way shall be there, and a way; and it shall be called the way of holiness: the unclean shall not pass over it; but the redeemed shall walk there [Note: Isa 35:1-2; Isa 35:6; Isa 35:8-9.]. The change itself also is described in appropriate terms: Instead of the thorn shall come up the fir-tree, and instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle-tree: and it shall be to the Lord for a name, and for an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off [Note: Isa 55:13.]. The works of the flesh are here contrasted with the fruits of the Spirit: and it is declared, that these latter shall abound on the face of the whole earth; and that, as the earth bringeth forth her bud, and as the garden causes the things that are sown in it to spring forth, so the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise to spring forth before all nations [Note: Isa 61:11.].
This is yet further evident from the universal testimony of Scripture. If we look into the Old Testament, we find the prophet Ezekiel describing that period thus: Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness and from all your idols will I cleanse you. A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh: and I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes; and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them [Note: Eze 36:25-27.]. In the New Testament the same thing is continually declared. Even before the birth of our Saviour, Zacharias, speaking of him as about to visit and redeem his people, represents the end of his advent as being to deliver his people out of the hands of their (spiritual) enemies, that they may serve him without fear in righteousness and holiness before him all the days of their life [Note: Luk 1:67-75.]. And St. Paul assures us, that the grace of God which bringeth salvation, was designed to teach us, that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world [Note: Tit 2:11-12.].]
But it is not the occasional existence, so much as the abiding habit, of holiness, which is to distinguish this day
[Judgment is to dwell, and righteousness to remain, in this our field. At all times, and under all circumstances, piety is to prevail. We are to be fruitful in every good work [Note: Heb 13:21.], and filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ to the praise and glory of God [Note: Php 1:11.]. Our blessed Lord told his disciples, that he had ordained them that they should go and bring forth fruit, and that their fruit should remain [Note: Joh 15:16.]: and through the whole world are they to be distinguished as a holy nation [Note: 1Pe 2:9.], a peculiar people zealous of good works [Note: Tit 2:14.].
Now it is greatly to be desired, that this distinction should be visible amongst us. But, if a heathen were directed by this mark to find the Gospel ministered in its purity, would he fix on us, on us individually, on us collectively, as possessing that inestimable treasure? Would he, if he followed us to our respective places of abode, and beheld the whole of our deportment through the day, and witnessed our spirit and temper under circumstances of trial, would he say, That is the garden of the Lord, and those are the trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, in which he is glorified [Note: Isa 58:11; Isa 61:3.]? O Brethren, look well to this matter, and take care that you shine as lights in a dark world, holding forth the word of life, not by your profession merely, but by the whole of your conduct and conversation [Note: Php 2:15-16.].]
That you may be encouraged to these exertions, consider,
II.
The fruit of Gospel experience
The fruit of righteousness is peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever. To this also the whole Scripture bears witness: and it is confirmed by fact also, that happiness is the inseparable companion of true piety. It is an attendant on piety,
1.
As the natural result of holy habits
[A man cannot commit sin, but he will find it sooner or later productive of pain. He may roll it as a sweet morsel under his tongue for a moment; but it will prove the gall of aspe within him. There is no exception to that truth, The way of transgressors is hard. But there is not a grace which can be exercised that does not tranquillize the mind. All imaginable graces, whether towards God or man, may be resolved into the one principle of love: and how sweet that is, we need not to observe: it carries its own evidence along with it. In truth, this is the very thing asserted in our text; The fruit of righteousness is peace: peace is the odour which that holy ointment invariably diffuses; as the Psalmist has said, In keeping Gods commandments there is great reward.
If it be thought that the duties of penitence and self-denial are rather of a painful nature, we appeal to all who know what penitence and self-denial are, Whether they have not found an exquisite joy in penitential sorrow, and a more lively satisfaction in the exercise of self-denial, than in all the gratifications which sin could possibly administer? We say again, without fear of contradiction, that there is no exception to this rule.]
2.
As bringing with it the testimony of a good conscience
[This is a source of unspeakable comfort: Our rejoicing is this, says the Apostle, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world [Note: 2Co 1:12.]. It will not unfrequently happen that our principles and conduct may be misinterpreted; so that we may incur blame on account of those very things, which, if rightly viewed, would have entitled us to applause: but, if we have a consciousness that we have really endeavoured to fulfil the will of God, we shall not lay much to heart the obloquy that is cast upon us, but shall say with the Apostle, It is a small matter to be judged of you or of mans judgment; yea, I judge not mine own self: but he that judgeth me is the Lord [Note: 1Co 4:3-4.]. In the hour of death more especially will peace and assurance fill the soul of one who has truly and unreservedly devoted himself to God. Not that he will be trusting in a well-spent life as meritorious in the sight of God, or as able to justify him at the bar of judgment: no man who knows any thing of the Gospel can entertain such a delusive hope as that; for the whole Scriptures testify that Christ alone is the foundation of a sinners hope, and that no man can be accepted of God but through the blood and righteousness of the Lord Jesus: but still a consciousness that we have truly lived to God and for God, in holy obedience to his commands, will be to us an evidence of the truth of our faith, and the sincerity of our love; and will inspire us with confidence in reference to the future judgment: for St. John says, Hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him: for if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things: but if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence towards God [Note: 1Jn 3:18-20.]. And hence we may say to the whole world, Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright; for the end of that man is peace [Note: Psa 37:37.].]
3.
As being honoured with tokens of Gods special approbation
[God will manifest himself unto his people as he does not unto the world. He will shed abroad his love in their hearts; and by the immediate influences of his Spirit bear witness to, and with, their spirits, that they are his children. He will seal, as it were, their souls unto the day of redemption, and give them already the earnest and foretaste of their eternal inheritance. But who are these favoured people? Are they those who live in a neglect of holy duties, and in the commission of any known sin? No: If any man regard iniquity in his heart, the Lord will not hear him [Note: Psa 66:18.]; much less will he favour him with such communications as these. But of his children, who keep his law, great shall be the peace [Note: Isa 54:13. Psa 119:165.], even a peace that passeth all understanding: they shall go forthwith joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before them into singing; and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands [Note: Isa 55:12.].]
Learn then from hence, Brethren,
1.
How to approve yourselves Christians indeed
[By their fruits ye shall know them, says our blessed Lord: and again, Bring forth much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples: He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me. You well know that it is in this way that you form your estimate of a field, or of a tree: and this is the only true way of estimating your own character. Your professions are of no value, any further than the truth of them is attested by your practice. You may say, Lord, Lord, with as much confidence as you will: but, if you do not the will of your heavenly Father, Christ will disown you, and cast you from him at the last day. You may now so resemble the wheat amongst which you grow, as not to admit of being easily distinguished from it by a human eye, or separated from it by a human hand. But in the last day the tares and the wheat will be infallibly separated from each other; the one for the fire of hell, the other for the granary of heaven [Note: Mat 13:28-30; Mat 13:40-43.]. I say then, bring yourselves to this test: and never be satisfied with any faith or any profession, that does not approve itself genuine according to the standard of Gods unerring word.]
2.
How to be happy in your own souls
[It is not any earthly gratification that can make you happy. Our Lord does not say, Blessed are the rich, the gay, the respected; but, Blessed are the humble, the pure, the meek, and those who are even persecuted for righteousness sake [Note: Mat 5:3-12. Luk 6:20-26.]. We grant, that this is far from according with the sentiments of the world at large; but it is not the less true on that account. They who have never sought for happiness in God, can have no idea of the happiness that is to be found in him. But the more any one knows of the world, the more will he see that Vanity and vexation of spirit is written upon every thing that is in it. Seek not then your happiness, beloved, in broken cisterns that can hold no water, but seek it in the Fountain of living waters [Note: Jer 2:13.], even in Him who is a source of blessedness to all his people [Note: Psa 36:9.]. Then shall you here enjoy a full assurance of hope, whilst you live [Note: Heb 6:11.]; have an abundant entrance into heaven when you die [Note: 2Pe 1:10-11.]; and sit down for ever at the right hand of your God, where there is fulness of joy for evermore [Note: Psa 16:11.].]
Fuente: Charles Simeon’s Horae Homileticae (Old and New Testaments)
Isa 32:16 Then judgment shall dwell in the wilderness, and righteousness remain in the fruitful field.
Ver. 16. Then judgment shall dwell in the wilderness. ] In this and the next verse, he setteth forth the sweet effects of God’s Spirit in the saints, in hypocrites also, when once they come to be converted; these are “righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.” as Rom 14:17 By “righteousness” and “judgment” there is to be understood the righteousness of faith, together with all those good works, the fruits thereof – obedience, I mean, which Luther was wont to call fidem incarnatam Faith incarnate.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Isa 32:16-20
Isa 32:16-20
“Then justice shall abide in the wilderness; and righteousness shall abide in the fruitful field. And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness, shall be quietness and confidence forever. And my people shall abide in a peaceable habitation, and in safe dwellings, and in quiet resting-places. But it shall hail in the downfall of the forest; and the city shall be utterly laid low. Blessed are ye that sow beside all waters, that send for the feet of the ox and the ass.”
Here we have further characteristics of the citizens of God’s kingdom, the peace and tranquility of which are the kingdom’s most salient features. Even when the angels announced the birth of the Messiah, they began with the announcement of “Peace on earth to men of good will.” Not many details are here given, and like all Messianic prophecy, this one is vague and ambiguous. However, one thing stands out starkly. Even that Golden Age shall end suddenly in the hail of the wrath of God and in the destruction of the “populous city.” That city we take to be the “great world city,” Mystery Babylon the great, mentioned prophetically in Rev 16:19, and the fall of which will be an event that heralds the end of the current dispensation and the onset of the final judgment of the Great Day.
The increased fertility of the earth and other agricultural metaphors are frequently used in scripture to describe the spiritual blessings to be enjoyed in the New Covenant.
“Blessed are ye that sow beside all waters …” (Isa 32:20). Commentators have a lot of trouble with this verse; and, as we have already noted, the passage is not too clear. However, to us it says that, followers of the Lamb should, “preach the gospel in season and out of season”; exploit all opportunities; take every chance; do not be too particular nor too choosey as to what we shall do for the Lord. If this is what the passage means, it is the equivalent of the proverb which states that, “He that regardeth the winds shall not sow; and he that regardeth the clouds shall not reap!” (Ecc 11:4).
Isa 32:15-20 WEALTH PROMISED: This desolation of Judah, which at its very core was spiritual, would continue (cf. Haggai, Zechariah and Malachi to see the spiritual destitution of this people even after their restoration to their land) until the Spirit was poured out from on high. This evidently has reference to the accomplishments of the Messiah (cf. Dan 9:24-27) in redemption and establishment of the church (Act 2:38). The agricultural setting of this prophecy should not confuse the careful student of the New Testament since there are some specific keys in the N.T. which provide clues to proper interpretation of such passages. Consider the following passages:
Isa 61:1-4compare withLuk 4:16-30
Isa 55:1-5compare withAct 13:26-41
Amo 9:11-12compare withAct 15:12-21
The essential nature of the future fruitfulness which Isaiah is predicting is to be justice (true relationship between man and man) and righteousness (true relationship between man and God). These proper relationships are accomplished only through the agency of the Spirit of God, at first incarnate in the Son, then dwelling in believers through faith and the agency of the Word. When these relationships are accomplished, peace, rest and safety are the results. This is exactly what the Messiah brought to the world and gave to all who will receive it by faith (cf. Mat 11:25-30; Joh 14:27; Joh 15:11; Eph 1:14; Eph 2:11-22). For the true Jew in the eyes of God is one who is one inwardly (Rom 2:28-29); indeed the promises made to Abrahams progeny was intended to be found by anyone who would become one of his children by faith in the one seed, Jesus Christ (Gal 3:6-9; Gal 3:15-18); and all who are new creatures by faith in Christ are the Israel of God (Gal 6:14-16). One thing is certain; the promises of Isaiah here in Isa 32:16-18 have not found fulfillment in the Jews or in Palestine to this point in history. And to hold out a special dispensation for the Jews in some future age seems to us to disparage the finality and completeness of the New Testament, to say the least.
Isa 32:19 seems to indicate a prediction of the defeat of all that opposes this future Messianic purpose of God. Enemies of God are likened unto forests in Isa 10:18-19; Jer 46:23; unto images and beasts in Daniel 2-8; unto dragons and beasts in Revelation 12-13. God will overcome all opposition as He completes His work of redemption and establishing a place of peace, rest and safety on earth. What God will do on earth will last forever (Isa 32:17). The kingdom of God established on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2) is an eternal kingdom.
Those who by faith become citizens of this kingdom will enjoy Gods blessings in abundance (Joh 10:10; 1Co 3:21-23; Eph 1:3; Rom 8:17-18; Rom 8:32; 2Co 4:16-18). Whatever they do, wherever they sow, wherever they work, it will prosper.
Fuente: Old and New Testaments Restoration Commentary
Isa 35:8, Isa 42:4, Isa 56:6-8, Isa 60:21, Psa 94:14, Psa 94:15, Hos 3:5, 1Co 6:9-11, Tit 2:11, Tit 2:12, 1Pe 2:9-12, 1Pe 4:1-4
Reciprocal: Psa 72:3 – mountains Psa 85:10 – righteousness Isa 28:6 – for a spirit Isa 35:1 – wilderness Isa 42:1 – he shall Isa 42:11 – Let the wilderness Mat 12:18 – and he Mar 12:9 – and will Act 2:17 – I will Jam 3:18 – the fruit
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Isa 32:16-18. Then judgment Just judgment, as the next clause explains it, shall dwell in the wilderness In what had formerly been a wilderness, namely, among the Gentiles, now supposed to be converted to Christianity; by whom righteousness also shall be practised, and among whom it shall remain. And the work of righteousness shall be peace The effect of this righteousness shall be peace of conscience, possessed by all that practise it, and tranquillity, of mind, as well as peace with God. Or, perhaps, outward prosperity may be chiefly intended. And the effect Hebrew, , the service, of righteousness, quietness, and assurance for ever , rest and confidence. The being truly righteous before God, and walking in his ordinances and commandments blameless, (Luk 1:6,) shall be attended with an assurance of Gods favour, and a dependance on him for the fulfilment of his promises; from whence will arise a holy serenity and security of mind, with a lively and joyful expectation of eternal felicity, of which no external circumstances of prosperity or adversity can deprive the possessors. And my people The converted Gentiles, who shall then be my people; or the Jews upon their conversion to Christianity in the latter days; shall dwell in a peaceable habitation Shall be safe and happy under the peculiar protection and care of God.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Justice and righteousness will be everywhere. The effects of this righteousness will be peace, rest, and security (cf. Isa 11:4-9). This will come about because people will be right with God (cf. Isa 30:15).
"The person who has received the grace of God’s forgiveness is at peace with God. Knowing himself to be at peace with the Sovereign of the universe, it is no longer necessary to project his own turmoil upon those around him (Php 3:12-17). Furthermore, the person for whom God’s character has become central will be less likely to oppress others in a frantic attempt to supply his or her own needs." [Note: Oswalt, p. 588.]