What does Isaiah 34:5 Mean?

Study Notes

Idumea
See; Isaiah 34:1-8 ,

Edom

Edom (called also "Seir,") Genesis 32:3 ; Genesis 36:8 is the name of the country lying south of the ancient kingdom of Judah, and extending from the Dead Sea to the Gulf of Akaba. It includes the ruins of Petra, and is bounded on the north by Moab. Peopled by descendants of Esau Genesis 36:1-9 . Edom has a remarkable prominence in the prophetic word as (together with Moab) the scene of the final destruction of Gentile world-power in the day of the Lord. See "Armageddon"; Revelation 16:14 ; Revelation 19:21 and "Times of the Gentiles"; Luke 21:24 ; Revelation 16:14 . Cf.; Psalms 137:7 ; Obadiah 1:8-16 ; Isaiah 34:1-8 ; Isaiah 63:1-6 ; Jeremiah 49:14-22 ; Ezekiel 25:12-14 .

Verse Meaning

A second reason for God"s worldwide judgment is that when His sword, a symbol of His judgment (cf. Deuteronomy 32:41-43; Joshua 5:13; Judges 7:20), has done all it can do to the heavenly host, it will fall on the nations represented by Edom. That the literal destruction of Edom is not in view should be clear from two facts. Edom did not experience such a destruction as this passage presents during her history. And Edom ceased to exist as a nation long ago, so a future destruction of Edom is not possible. Humans must pay. Everyone belongs to God. If human beings do not submit to Him voluntarily, He will force them to do so against their wills. This will be God"s judgment on the world for rebelling against Him. [source][source]

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Context Summary

This chapter is one prolonged description of the judgments which were to befall the nations at the hand of Assyria and Babylon. The imagery employed is borrowed from the destruction of the cities of the plain. Streams of pitch; dust of brimstone; the ever-ascending smoke of a furnace; the scream of the eagle, hawk, and owl; the invasion of palaces by the thistle; the howl of the wolf; the call of the jackal; the arrow-snakes nest; the kite with its mate-such are the illustrations employed to depict the scorching desolations which were impending. Edom is especially mentioned as suffering these awful desolations because of her long-standing hatred of Israel. See Psalms 137:7; Ezekiel 36:5; Lamentations 4:21-22. These terrible and graphic predictions have been literally fulfilled, but they foreshadow those further and eternal disasters which must overtake willful and designed rejection of the divine purposes and laws. Are not all nations at this hour standing before the Son of man and being judged? See Matthew 25:31. [source]

Chapter Summary: Isaiah 34

¹  The judgments wherewith God revenges his church
¹¹  The desolation of her enemies
¹⁶  The certainty of the prophecy