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Isaiah 33:15-16 - End Time Behavior and Events.

Isaiah 33:15-16 (NKJV) He who walks righteously and speaks uprightly, He who despises the gain of oppressions, Who gestures with his hands, refusing bribes, Who stops his ears from hearing of bloodshed, And shuts his eyes from seeing evil: 16 He will dwell on high; His place of defense will be the fortress of rocks; Bread will be given him, His water will be sure.

INTRODUCTION

These sinners realized that they could not live in the presence of the holy God, for he is like a fire that consumes evil. Only those who walk righteously and speak what is right can live with God. Isaiah gives examples of how to demonstrate our righteousness and uprightness: we can reject gain from extortion 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.  [Life Application SB]

COMMENTARY PEARL

   The domesticated yak is the highest-dwelling animal in the world, living up to 16,000 feet above sea level. It's also the most important animal for Tibet highlanders, serving as a primary source of nutrition and fertilizer. The yak's physiology is adapted for such high altitudes, with larger lungs and heart than other cattle, allowing for a greater capacity to transport oxygen through their blood.
   Today's Bible promise indicates that "He who walks righteously ... will dwell on high." Isaiah then describes how such a person lives. He "speaks uprightly" and "despises the gain of oppression." He "gestures with his hands" as a way of "refusing bribes." This person doesn't even like to hear or see evil!
   In Bible times, the idea of dwelling "on high" indicated a place of safety. Cities were often built on high places to protect people from invaders. You're always at an advantage on high ground. That's also true in spiritual warfare. By turning away from evil, you put yourself in a place of safety. "Because you have made the LORD, who is my refuge, even the Most High, your dwelling place, no evil shall befall you" (Psalm 91:9, 10).
   If you are in a low place right now, struggling in the mire of sin, go to Jesus for forgiveness and ask Him to strengthen you to follow His law. Then you can have what He has promised: "I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly" (John 10:10). His abundant life you can have even now.
   Lord Jesus, help me to live faithfully and obediently to all Your laws. [The Most Amazing Bible Promises by Amazing Facts]

COMMENTARY

The Saviour gives signs of His coming, and more than this, He fixes the time when the first of these signs shall appear: "Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken: and then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And He shall send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other." ... when ye shall see all these things, know that He is near, even at the doors." Matthew 24:32, 33, margin. DA631-632

   Will the Lord forget His people in this trying hour? Did He forget faithful Noah when judgments were visited upon the antediluvian world? Did He forget Lot when the fire came down from heaven to consume the cities of the plain? Did He forget Joseph surrounded by idolaters in Egypt? Did He forget Elijah when the oath of Jezebel threatened him with the fate of the prophets of Baal? Did He forget Jeremiah in the dark and dismal pit of his prison house? Did He forget the three worthies in the fiery furnace? or Daniel in the den of lions?
   "Zion said, The Lord hath forsaken me, and my Lord hath forgotten me. Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee. Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of My hands." Isaiah 49:14-16. GC626

To the obedient is given the promise, "He shall dwell on high: his place of defense shall be the munitions of rocks: bread shall be given him; his waters shall be sure." Isaiah 33:16. By this promise the children of God will live. When the earth shall be wasted with famine, they shall be fed. "They shall not be ashamed in the evil time: and in the days of famine they shall be satisfied." Psalm 37:19. DA121-122

The Lord has shown me repeatedly that it is contrary to the Bible to make any provision for our temporal wants in the time of trouble. I saw that if the saints had food laid up by them or in the field in the time of trouble, when sword, famine, and pestilence are in the land, it would be taken from them by violent hands and strangers would reap their fields. Then will be the time for us to trust wholly in God, and He will sustain us. I saw that our bread and water will be sure at that time, and that we shall not lack or suffer hunger; for God is able to spread a table for us in the wilderness. If necessary He would send ravens to feed us, as He did to feed Elijah, or rain manna from heaven, as He did for the Israelites.  EW56

LINKS FOR FURTHER STUDY

Psalm 84:11 - God Is A Sun And Shield Who Gives Grace And Glory etc.
https://www.abible.com/devotions/2006/20061130-0736.html

2 Peter 1:4 - There Is Power In The Promises.
https://www.abible.com/devotions/2013/20131129-2022.html

LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT

https://abible.com/links/