Context for Isaiah 33-35
God’s judgment is not just against an apostate Israel, it is against all of sinful mankind. In this case, Edom– a nation south of Israel and a source of constant troubles, is used as a metaphor for the sinfulness of the entire world that will be judged by Christ’s second coming. At that time, just as when Jerusalem fell to the Babylonians or the Romans, there will be nowhere for the sinful to flee. God’s judgment will be complete.
We are no different from the Jews of Isaiah’s time. All people in all times have sinned and fallen short of God’s glory ( Romans 3:22-24) and, therefore, are deserving of the same judgment for their sin.
There is no way for any person to do anything of their own will to escape this judgment. Sinners cannot save themselves from their own sin. That is why God gives us faith by His grace. It is through faith in Jesus Christ that we are saved from God’s judgment. Jesus’ sacrifice covers over our guilt so that God’s judgment passes over us.
DLH
