Isaiah 24:1
Behold, the LORD lays waste the earth and leaves it in ruins. He will twist its surface and scatter its inhabitants--
Behold, the LORD lays waste the earth
This phrase introduces a divine act of judgment. The use of "Behold" serves as a call to attention, emphasizing the seriousness of the message. The LORD, Yahweh, is depicted as the sovereign judge over all the earth, not just Israel. This reflects the universal scope of God's authority and judgment, reminiscent of the flood narrative in Genesis 6-9, where God judged the entire world. The term "lays waste" suggests a complete and utter destruction, aligning with prophetic themes found in other books such as Jeremiah and Ezekiel, where God's judgment is portrayed as thorough and inescapable.

and leaves it in ruins.
The imagery of ruins indicates the aftermath of divine judgment, where the earth is left desolate. This can be seen as a reversal of creation, where order is turned into chaos. The prophetic literature often uses such imagery to convey the severity of God's judgment, as seen in the destruction of cities like Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 19). Theologically, this serves as a warning of the consequences of sin and rebellion against God.

He will twist its surface
The twisting of the earth's surface suggests a dramatic alteration of the natural order, possibly indicating earthquakes or other natural disasters as instruments of divine judgment. This imagery is consistent with apocalyptic literature, where cosmic disturbances often accompany the end times (e.g., Revelation 6:12-14). It underscores the power of God to reshape creation according to His will, reflecting His ultimate control over the physical world.

and scatter its inhabitants—
The scattering of inhabitants implies a forced dispersion, reminiscent of the Tower of Babel incident in Genesis 11, where God confused the languages and scattered the people. This act serves as a judgment against human pride and self-sufficiency. In the context of Isaiah, it may also allude to the exile of Israel and Judah, where the people were scattered among the nations as a result of their disobedience. This scattering is both a physical and spiritual consequence, highlighting the disruption of community and covenant relationship with God.

Persons / Places / Events
1. The LORD (Yahweh)
The sovereign God of Israel, who is depicted as the one executing judgment upon the earth.

2. The Earth
Represents the physical world and its inhabitants, which are subject to God's judgment.

3. Inhabitants of the Earth
The people living on the earth who are affected by God's actions of judgment.

4. Isaiah
The prophet who delivers this message of impending judgment, serving as God's mouthpiece.

5. Judgment Event
A prophetic declaration of a future time when God will bring desolation and upheaval to the earth.
Teaching Points
God's Sovereignty in Judgment
Recognize that God is sovereign over all creation and has the authority to judge the earth and its inhabitants.

The Reality of Divine Judgment
Understand that divine judgment is a reality that affects all of creation, calling for a response of repentance and faith.

The Call to Holiness
As believers, we are called to live holy and godly lives in anticipation of God’s righteous judgment.

Hope in Restoration
While judgment is certain, God’s ultimate plan includes restoration and renewal for those who are faithful.

Urgency of the Gospel
The impending judgment should motivate us to share the gospel, urging others to seek salvation through Jesus Christ.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the depiction of God’s judgment in Isaiah 24:1 challenge or affirm your understanding of God’s character?

2. In what ways can the themes of judgment and restoration in Isaiah 24:1 inspire you to live a life of holiness and obedience?

3. How do the events described in Isaiah 24:1 relate to the broader biblical account of creation, fall, redemption, and restoration?

4. What practical steps can you take to prepare for the reality of divine judgment as described in Isaiah 24:1 and related scriptures?

5. How can the urgency of God’s impending judgment motivate you to engage in evangelism and discipleship within your community?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Genesis 6-9
The account of the Flood, where God judged the earth due to human wickedness, parallels the theme of divine judgment and destruction.

Revelation 6-19
The apocalyptic visions of the end times, where God’s judgment is poured out upon the earth, echo the themes found in Isaiah 24.

Jeremiah 4:23-26
Jeremiah’s vision of the earth in chaos and desolation, similar to Isaiah’s prophecy, underscores the consequences of sin and divine judgment.

Matthew 24:29-31
Jesus speaks of cosmic disturbances and the gathering of the elect, reflecting the upheaval and divine intervention described in Isaiah.

2 Peter 3:10-13
Peter describes the day of the Lord, when the heavens and earth will be destroyed, aligning with Isaiah’s vision of a transformed earth.
National DesolationW. Reading, M. A.Isaiah 24:1-5
The EarthJ. Skinner, D. D.Isaiah 24:1-5
The Sources and Consequences of AnarchyJ. Erskine, D. D.Isaiah 24:1-5
The Charge and the CalamityW. Clarkson Isaiah 24:1-12
Prophecy of JudgmentE. Johnson Isaiah 24:1-23
People
Isaiah
Places
Jerusalem, Mount Zion, Tyre
Topics
Abroad, Behold, Desolate, Devastate, Devastates, Directions, Distorts, Empty, Emptying, Face, Inhabitants, Lay, Lays, Makes, Maketh, Making, Overturned, Ruin, Scatter, Scattered, Scattereth, Scatters, Sending, Surface, Thereof, Turneth, Turning, Turns, Twist, Unpeopled, Upside, Waste
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Isaiah 24:1

     4045   chaos
     5979   waste

Isaiah 24:1-2

     5389   lending

Isaiah 24:1-5

     6702   peace, destruction

Isaiah 24:1-6

     4203   earth, the

Isaiah 24:1-13

     5508   ruins

Library
June the Twenty-Fifth Desolations Wrought by Sin
"The Lord hath spoken this word." --ISAIAH xxiv. 1-12. "The Lord hath spoken this word," and it is a word of judgment. It unveils some of the terrible issues of sin. See the effects of sin upon the spirit of man. "The merry-hearted do sigh." Life loses its wings and its song. The buoyancy and the optimism die out of the soul. The days move with heavy feet, and duty becomes very stale and unwelcome. If only our ears were keen enough we should hear many a place of hollow laughter moaning with
John Henry Jowett—My Daily Meditation for the Circling Year

The Knowledge of God and of Ourselves Mutually Connected. --Nature of the Connection.
1. The sum of true wisdom--viz. the knowledge of God and of ourselves. Effects of the latter. 2. Effects of the knowledge of God, in humbling our pride, unveiling our hypocrisy, demonstrating the absolute perfections of God, and our own utter helplessness. 3. Effects of the knowledge of God illustrated by the examples, 1. of holy patriarchs; 2. of holy angels; 3. of the sun and moon. 1. Our wisdom, in so far as it ought to be deemed true and solid Wisdom, consists almost entirely of two parts: the
John Calvin—The Institutes of the Christian Religion

The Life and Death of Mr. Badman,
Presented to the World in a Familiar Dialogue Between Mr. Wiseman and Mr. Attentive. By John Bunyan ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR. The life of Badman is a very interesting description, a true and lively portraiture, of the demoralized classes of the trading community in the reign of King Charles II; a subject which naturally led the author to use expressions familiar among such persons, but which are now either obsolete or considered as vulgar. In fact it is the only work proceeding from the prolific
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

A Clearing-Up Storm in the Realm
(Revelation, Chapters vi.-viii.) "God Almighty! King of nations! earth Thy footstool, heaven Thy throne! Thine the greatness, power, and glory, Thine the kingdom, Lord, alone! Life and death are in Thy keeping, and Thy will ordaineth all: From the armies of Thy heavens to an unseen insect's fall. "Reigning, guiding, all-commanding, ruling myriad worlds of light; Now exalting, now abasing, none can stay Thy hand of might! Working all things by Thy power, by the counsel of Thy will. Thou art God!
by S. D. Gordon—Quiet Talks on the Crowned Christ of Revelation

Isaiah
CHAPTERS I-XXXIX Isaiah is the most regal of the prophets. His words and thoughts are those of a man whose eyes had seen the King, vi. 5. The times in which he lived were big with political problems, which he met as a statesman who saw the large meaning of events, and as a prophet who read a divine purpose in history. Unlike his younger contemporary Micah, he was, in all probability, an aristocrat; and during his long ministry (740-701 B.C., possibly, but not probably later) he bore testimony, as
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

Links
Isaiah 24:1 NIV
Isaiah 24:1 NLT
Isaiah 24:1 ESV
Isaiah 24:1 NASB
Isaiah 24:1 KJV

Isaiah 24:1 Commentaries

Bible Hub
Isaiah 23:18
Top of Page
Top of Page