Isaiah 28:21
“For the LORD shall rise up as in mount Perazim, he shall be wroth as in the valley of Gibeon, that he may do his work, his strange work; and bring to pass his act, his strange act.”
This verse is found within the book of Isaiah, which is a prophetic book in the Old Testament. It contains prophecies, warnings, and messages from God to the people of Israel and Judah.
Isaiah 28:21 is part of a larger passage where the prophet Isaiah is delivering a message to the leaders of Jerusalem who were relying on their own wisdom and alliances instead of trusting in the Lord. In this passage, Isaiah is warning them of the impending judgment that would come upon them due to their disobedience and lack of faith.
Let’s break down the verse to better understand its meaning:
“For the LORD shall rise up as in mount Perazim”:This phrase refers to a historical event recorded in 2 Samuel 5:20, where David, the king of Israel, fought against the Philistines at Mount Perazim. The Lord granted David victory by “breaking through” his enemies. Here, the prophet Isaiah uses this historical event as a metaphor to describe how the Lord will rise up against His enemies.
“He shall be wroth as in the valley of Gibeon”:This refers to another historical event found in Joshua 10:10-14, where Joshua, the leader of Israel, fought against the Amorite kings in the valley of Gibeon. The Lord caused the sun to stand still, enabling Joshua and the Israelites to achieve a great victory. Isaiah uses this event as another metaphor, describing God’s anger and His actions against those who oppose Him.
“That he may do his work, his strange work”:This phrase emphasizes the unusual and unexpected nature of God’s actions. It suggests that the judgments and actions God takes are beyond human comprehension. The word “strange” does not imply that God’s actions are wrong or unjust, but rather that they are unexpected and extraordinary from a human perspective.
“And bring to pass his act, his strange act”:This repetition emphasizes the same idea expressed in the previous phrase. God will accomplish His purpose, and His actions will be extraordinary and unfamiliar to the people.
In summary, Isaiah 28:21 conveys a message of God’s impending judgment on those who reject Him and rely on their own wisdom and alliances. The verse uses historical events as metaphors to illustrate God’s power, anger, and the unexpected nature of His actions. It serves as a warning to the people of Jerusalem and serves as a reminder of God’s sovereignty and the consequences of disobedience.
It’s important to note that understanding individual verses within the Bible should be done in the context of the larger passage and the entire biblical narrative. Additionally, studying the Bible with the help of commentaries, biblical scholars, and in the context of prayer and seeking God’s guidance can provide deeper insights and understanding.
