Isaiah 27 - Introduction

For the general design of this chapter see the analysis of Isaiah 24. Many different expositions have been given of its design, and indeed almost every commentator has had his own theory, and has differed from almost every other. Some of the different views which have been taken may be seen in the notes at Isaiah 27:1, and may be examined at length in Vitringa. I regard the most simple and obvious interpretation as the correct one; and that is, that it is a continuation of the vision commenced in Isaiah 24, and referring to the same great event - the captivity at Babylon and the deliverance from that captivity. This subject has been pursued through the Isaiah 24:1, the Isaiah 25:1, and the Isaiah 26:1 chapters. In the Isaiah 25:1 and the Isaiah 26:1 chapters, the main design was to show the joy which would be evinced on their rescue from that land. The main purpose of this is to show the effect of that captivity and deliverance in purifying the Jews themselves, and in overcoming their propensity to idolatry, on account of which the captivity had been suf fered to take place. The “design” of the chapter is, like that of many others in Isaiah, to comfort them when they should be oppressed during their long and painful exile. The general plan of the chapter is:

1. A statement that their great enemy, the leviathan, should be destroyed Isaiah 27:1; and,

2. A song, in alternate responses, respecting the people of God, under the image of a vineyard yielding rich wines Isaiah 27:2. In this song Yahweh’s protection over the vineyard is shown Isaiah 27:3; he declares that he is not actuated by fury Isaiah 27:4; his people are exhorted to trust in him Isaiah 27:5; a full promise that the Jews shall yet flourish is given Isaiah 27:6; Yahweh says that his judgments are mild on them Isaiah 27:7, and that the design is to purify his people Isaiah 27:9, for their sins they should be punished Isaiah 27:10; yet that they should be restored to their own land, and worship him in the holy mount at Jerusalem Isaiah 27:12.