33:1 Assyria continually broke its promises but demanded that others keep theirs. It is easy to put ourselves in the same selfish position, demanding our rights while ignoring the rights of others. Broken promises shatter trust and destroy relationships. Determine to keep your promises; at the same time, ask forgiveness for past promises you have broken. Treat others with the same fairness that you demand for yourself.
33:2 These are the words of the righteous remnant who were waiting for God to deliver them from their oppression.
33:4 See 2 Kings 19:20-37 and Isaiah 37:21-38 for a description of the victory over Assyria described here.
33:5 When Christ’s Kingdom is established, Zion—Jerusalem—will be the home of justice and righteousness because the Messiah will reign there. As a light to the world, the new Jerusalem will be the holy city (Revelation 21:2).
33:8 The Assyrians broke their peace pact (2 Kings 18:14-17).
33:9 These fruitful, productive areas would become deserts. Lebanon was known for its huge cedars. Sharon was very fertile. Bashan was very productive in grain and cattle. Carmel was thickly forested.
33:14-16 These sinners realized that they could not live in the presence of the holy God, for he is like a fire that devours evil. Only those who walk uprightly and speak what is right can live with God. Isaiah gives examples of how to demonstrate our righteousness and uprightness: We can reject oppression and bribes, refuse to listen to plots of wrong actions, and shut our eyes to evil. If we are fair and honest in our relationships, we will dwell with God, and he will supply our needs.