Although the Lord allowed the northern kingdom of Israel to fall to the Assyrian Empire due to the rampant idolatry that went on in the northern kingdom for many generations, the nation of Judah did not fall into such deep idolatry during the era of Assyrian dominance. This is why Judah continued to be a kingdom for approximately 130 years longer than Israel. When the Lord strikes down 185,000 enemy soldiers outside the gates of Jerusalem and the king of Assyria is obliged to retreat to Nineveh to plan his next move, then will come true this next segment.
"In your thoughts you will ponder the former terror: 'Where is that chief officer? Where is the one who took the revenue? Where is the officer in charge of the towers?' You will see those arrogant people no more, people whose speech is obscure, whose language is strong and incomprehensible." (Isaiah 33:18-19) Suddenly the threat against Jerusalem will disappear. The chief officer of the Assyrian army who boasted that he would take the city will be gone. The Assyrian tax collector who took and counted the tribute King Hezekiah paid to the king of Assyria will no longer have his hand out for more money. The Assyrian military strategist who walked around the city of Jerusalem and selected the best place to build a siege ramp or to break through a wall will be gone. The terrorizing threat will vanish like mist on a summer morning.
This next portion appears to speak of a future day in which Jerusalem will never be threatened again. We have not yet seen this portion of Isaiah's prophecy come true, for many enemies have attacked Jerusalem since these words were spoken and the nation of Israel still has many enemies in the world today, but when the Messiah comes to reign over the world forever from His capitol at Jerusalem, these beautiful words of promise will be fulfilled.
"Look on Zion, the city of our festivals; your eyes will see Jerusalem, a peaceful abode, a tent that will not be moved; its stakes will never be pulled up, nor any of its ropes broken. There the Lord will be our Mighty One. It will be like a place of broad rivers and streams. No galley with oars will ride them, no mighty ship will sail them. For the Lord is our judge, the Lord is our lawgiver, the Lord is our king; it is He who will save us." (Isaiah 33:20-22) No enemy fleet of ships will ever set sail to invade the nation. The Lord will judge and destroy the enemies of His people. He speaks of these enemies as if they are broken down sailing vessels. "Your rigging hangs loose: The mast is not held secure, the sail is not spread." (Isaiah 33:23a)
Earlier in our study of this chapter we talked about how, after the Lord strikes down the army outside the gates, the people from Jerusalem take the spoil that is left in the Assyrian camp. The nation that intended to spoil Jerusalem is instead spoiled itself. The Lord brings about a reversal of fortunes for those who trust in Him---and He can do this in your life and in my life too! There were so many goods left lying unprotected outside of Jerusalem that even the weakest of the citizens were able to just pick up things off the ground for their own use. This final portion is a reference to that and it is also a reference to the fact that in the eternal kingdom no one will lack for anything. No one will be sick or disabled. No one will be poor. Everyone will have enough.
"Then an abundance of spoils will be divided and even the lame will carry off plunder. No one living in Zion will say, 'I am ill'; and the sins of those who dwell there will be forgiven." (Isaiah 33:23b-24)
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