Isaiah 34

34:1-17 This prophecy of judgment was against the nations at the terrifying day of the Lord (see study note on 2:5-22; see also 63:1-6).

34:2 completely destroy: See Lev 27:28-29.

34:3 It was a disgrace for a corpse to remain unburied.

34:4 The heavens . . . stars: See also 13:10; Joel 2:30-31; Matt 24:29; Mark 13:24-25; 2 Pet 3:10-13; Rev 6:13-14.

34:5 Edom here represents what all the nations would experience, just as Moab was singled out in ch 25.

34:6 Bozrah was a city in Edom, southeast of the Dead Sea.

34:8 The Lord’s revenge refers to God’s wrathful but righteous vengeance against his enemies and the oppressors of his people on the day of the Lord. • Edom will be paid back: There will be retribution for Edom’s crimes against Judah (see also Ps 137:7; Lam 4:21; Obad; Mal 1:3-5). Edom, with its history of treachery, would come to an end.

34:9 Edom’s judgment was similar to the judgment of Sodom and Gomorrah (Gen 19:24; see also Jer 49:17-18).

34:10 See also Rev 14:11; 19:3.

34:11-14 Wild animals, night birds, and hostile plants with thorns and nettles created an eerie environment.34:11 The identification of some of these birds is uncertain, but they inhabited wild and deserted places and many were considered unclean (Deut 14:11-18).

34:16 Search the book of the Lord: Isaiah’s prophecy was God’s witness to the truthfulness of his word. • The power of the Spirit enacts the Lord’s decrees, assuring that all prophecy comes together to be fulfilled as God promised.