Look upon Zion, the city of our appointed feasts. Your eyes will see Jerusalem, a peaceful pasture, a tent that does not wander; its tent pegs will not be pulled up, nor will any of its cords be broken. Look upon ZionThe phrase "Look upon Zion" invites the reader to focus their attention on Zion, which is often synonymous with Jerusalem, the city of God. In Hebrew, "Zion" (צִיּוֹן, Tziyon) is a term that carries deep spiritual significance, representing not just a physical location but also the spiritual heart of Israel. Historically, Zion is the site of the Davidic kingdom and the temple, symbolizing God's dwelling place among His people. This call to "look" is an invitation to recognize God's enduring presence and faithfulness to His covenant people, encouraging believers to find hope and assurance in God's promises. the city of our appointed feasts
This phrase highlights Jerusalem as the center of religious life for the Israelites, where the appointed feasts, or "moadim" (מוֹעֲדִים), were celebrated. These feasts, such as Passover, Pentecost, and Tabernacles, were divinely instituted times for worship and remembrance of God's mighty acts. The city is not just a political capital but a spiritual hub where God's people gather to honor Him. This underscores the importance of communal worship and the rhythm of life centered around God's ordained times, reminding believers of the joy and unity found in worshiping together. Your eyes will see Jerusalem
The assurance that "Your eyes will see Jerusalem" speaks to the promise of restoration and peace. In times of turmoil, the vision of a restored Jerusalem serves as a powerful symbol of hope and divine intervention. Historically, Jerusalem has been a city of conflict and conquest, yet God's promise is that His people will witness its renewal. This vision encourages believers to trust in God's ultimate plan for redemption and restoration, both physically and spiritually, as they anticipate the fulfillment of His promises. a peaceful abode
The description of Jerusalem as "a peaceful abode" contrasts with its history of conflict. The Hebrew word for peace, "shalom" (שָׁלוֹם), encompasses not just the absence of war but a state of completeness, welfare, and harmony. This prophetic vision points to a future where God's presence brings true peace to His people. For Christians, this foreshadows the ultimate peace found in Christ, the Prince of Peace, who reconciles humanity to God and promises eternal rest in His kingdom. a tent that will not be moved
The imagery of "a tent that will not be moved" evokes the stability and permanence of God's dwelling among His people. In the wilderness, the Israelites lived in tents, and the tabernacle, a tent of meeting, was the center of worship. This metaphor suggests that God's presence with His people is secure and unshakeable. It reassures believers of God's steadfastness and the unchanging nature of His promises, encouraging them to find security and refuge in Him. Its stakes will never be pulled up
The stakes of a tent provide stability and security. The promise that "Its stakes will never be pulled up" emphasizes the enduring nature of God's covenant with His people. In a world where change and uncertainty are constant, this assurance of permanence offers comfort and hope. It reflects the eternal nature of God's kingdom, which cannot be shaken, and invites believers to anchor their lives in the certainty of God's unchanging word. nor any of its ropes be broken
The ropes of a tent hold it together, ensuring its structure and function. The declaration that "nor any of its ropes be broken" signifies the completeness and integrity of God's plan for His people. This imagery reassures believers that nothing can disrupt God's purposes or separate them from His love. It is a call to trust in God's sovereign control and His ability to hold all things together, providing a foundation of faith and confidence in His eternal promises. Persons / Places / Events 1. ZionOften used to refer to Jerusalem, Zion is a symbol of God's presence and His covenant with His people. It represents the spiritual and physical center of worship and divine promise. 2. JerusalemThe historical and spiritual capital of Israel, Jerusalem is depicted as a place of peace and stability in this verse, contrasting with its turbulent history. 3. Appointed FeastsThese are the sacred festivals commanded by God in the Law of Moses, which were times of worship, remembrance, and community gathering for the Israelites. 4. TentSymbolic of God's dwelling among His people, the tent here represents stability and permanence, unlike the temporary nature of a nomadic tent. 5. Stakes and CordsThese elements of a tent symbolize security and permanence, indicating that God's presence and promises are unshakeable. Teaching Points God's Unshakeable PromisesJust as the stakes and cords of the tent in Zion are secure, so are God's promises to His people. We can trust in His faithfulness and His eternal covenant. The Peace of God's PresenceJerusalem is described as a peaceful abode. In our lives, we can find peace by dwelling in God's presence and aligning ourselves with His will. The Importance of Worship and RemembranceThe appointed feasts remind us of the importance of regular worship and remembrance of God's works. These practices anchor us in our faith and community. Stability in a Changing WorldThe imagery of a tent that will not be moved offers comfort in a world of change and uncertainty. Our spiritual foundation in Christ is secure and everlasting. Living as Citizens of the Heavenly JerusalemAs believers, we are called to live with the hope and assurance of our eternal home, influencing how we engage with the world around us. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the imagery of Zion as a "peaceful abode" challenge or encourage you in your current life circumstances? 2. In what ways can the concept of "appointed feasts" be applied to your personal or communal worship practices today? 3. How do the stakes and cords of the tent in Isaiah 33:20 symbolize God's promises in your life, and how can you hold onto these promises during difficult times? 4. What parallels can you draw between the description of Jerusalem in Isaiah 33:20 and the New Jerusalem described in Revelation 21? 5. How can you live as a citizen of the heavenly Jerusalem in your daily interactions and decisions, reflecting the peace and stability promised in Isaiah 33:20? Connections to Other Scriptures Psalm 46This psalm speaks of God as a refuge and strength, a theme echoed in the stability and peace of Jerusalem as described in Isaiah 33:20. Hebrews 12The New Testament speaks of a heavenly Jerusalem, drawing a parallel to the eternal and unshakeable nature of God's kingdom, as seen in Isaiah's vision of Zion. Revelation 21The vision of the New Jerusalem in Revelation connects to the idea of a peaceful and eternal dwelling place for God's people. People Ariel, IsaiahPlaces Bashan, Carmel, Jerusalem, Lebanon, Sharon, ZionTopics Abode, Apart, Appointed, Broken, Cords, Feasts, Festivals, Folded, Gatherings, Habitation, Holy, Immovable, Jerusalem, Meetings, Moved, None, Peaceful, Pins, Plucked, Pulled, Quiet, Removed, Resting, Resting-place, Ropes, Solemn, Solemnities, Stakes, Tabernacle, Tent, Tent-pins, Thereof, Torn, Town, Undisturbed, Whereof, Won't, ZionDictionary of Bible Themes Isaiah 33:20 7270 Zion, as a place Isaiah 33:20-24 6703 peace, divine OT Library April 2. "He Shall Dwell on High" (Isa. xxxiii. 16).
"He shall dwell on high" (Isa. xxxiii. 16). It is easier for a consecrated Christian to live an out and out life for God than to live a mixed life. A soul redeemed and sanctified by Christ is too large for the shoals and sands of a selfish, worldly, sinful life. The great steamship, St. Paul, could sail in deep water without an effort, but she could make no progress in the shallow pool, or on the Long Branch sands; the smallest tugboat is worth a dozen of her there; but out in mid-ocean she could …
Rev. A. B. Simpson—Days of Heaven Upon Earth The Fortress of the Faithful
'He shall dwell on high: his place of defence shall be the munitions of rocks; bread shall be given him; his waters shall be sure.'--ISAIAH xxxiii. 16. This glowing promise becomes even more striking if we mark its connection with the solemn question in the previous context. 'Who among us shall dwell with the devouring fire?' is the prophet's question; 'who among us shall dwell with everlasting burnings?' That question really means, Who is capable 'of communion with God'? The prophet sketches the …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture The Rivers of God
'But there the glorious Lord will be unto us a place of broad rivers and streams; wherein shall go no galley with oars, neither shall gallant ship pass thereby.'--ISAIAH xxxiii. 21. One great peculiarity of Jerusalem, which distinguishes it from almost all other historical cities, is that it has no river. Babylon was on the Euphrates, Nineveh on the Tigris, Thebes on the Nile, Rome on the Tiber; but Jerusalem had nothing but a fountain or two, and a well or two, and a little trickle and an intermittent …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture Judge, Lawgiver, King
'For the Lord is our judge, the Lord is our lawgiver, the Lord is our King; He will save us.'--ISAIAH xxxiii. 22. There is reference here to the three forms of government in Israel: by Moses, by Judges, by Kings. In all, Israel was a Theocracy. Isaiah looks beyond the human representative to the true divine Reality. I. A truth for us, in both its more specific and its more general forms. (a) Specific. Christ is all these three for us--Authority; His will law; Defender. (b) More general. Everything …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture How to Dwell in the Fire of God
'Who among us shall dwell with the devouring fire? who among us shall dwell with everlasting burnings? 15. He that walketh righteously, and speaketh uprightly; he that despiseth the gain of oppressions, that shaketh his hands from holding of bribes, that stoppeth his ears from hearing of blood, and shutteth his eyes from seeing evil.'--ISAIAH xxxiii. 14, 15. 'He that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God'--1 JOHN iv. 16. I have put these two verses together because, striking as is at first sight the …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture The Border of his Sanctuary
G. W. Is. xxxiii. 17 Glorious and solemn hour, Thus at last to stand, All behind us the great desert, All before, the land! Past the shadow of the valley, Past the weary plain; Past the rugged mountain pathway, Ne'er to be again. And before us, ever stretching In its golden sheen, Lies the fair, the blessed country Where our hearts have been-- Where our hearts have been whilst wandering Through the desert bare; For the soul's adored, beloved One, He abideth there. Clad in love and glory stands …
Frances Bevan—Hymns of Ter Steegen, Suso, and Others April 3 Evening
Ye were as a firebrand plucked out of the burning.--AMOS 4:11. The sinners in Zion are afraid; fearfulness hath surprised the hypocrites. Who among us shall dwell with the devouring fire? who among us shall dwell with everlasting burnings?--We had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead: who delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver: in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us.--The wages of sin is death; but the gift …
Anonymous—Daily Light on the Daily Path Question of the Contemplative Life
I. Is the Contemplative Life wholly confined to the Intellect, or does the Will enter into it? S. Thomas, On the Beatific Vision, I., xii. 7 ad 3m II. Do the Moral Virtues pertain to the Contemplative Life? S. Augustine, Of the City of God, xix. 19 III. Does the Contemplative Life comprise many Acts? S. Augustine, Of the Perfection of Human Righteousness, viii. 18 " Ep., cxxx. ad probam IV. Does the Contemplative Life consist solely in the Contemplation of God, or in the Consideration …
St. Thomas Aquinas—On Prayer and The Contemplative Life Necessity of Contemplating the Judgment-Seat of God, in Order to be Seriously Convinced of the Doctrine of Gratuitous Justification.
1. Source of error on the subject of Justification. Sophists speak as if the question were to be discussed before some human tribunal. It relates to the majesty and justice of God. Hence nothing accepted without absolute perfection. Passages confirming this doctrine. If we descend to the righteousness of the Law, the curse immediately appears. 2. Source of hypocritical confidence. Illustrated by a simile. Exhortation. Testimony of Job, David, and Paul. 3. Confession of Augustine and Bernard. 4. Another …
John Calvin—The Institutes of the Christian Religion A vision of the King.
ONE of the most blessed occupations for the believer is the prayerful searching of God's holy Word to discover there new glories and fresh beauties of Him, who is altogether lovely. Shall we ever find out all which the written Word reveals of Himself and His worthiness? This wonderful theme can never be exhausted. The heart which is devoted to Him and longs through the presence and indwelling of the Holy Spirit to be closer to the Lord, to hear and know more of Himself, will always find something …
Arno Gaebelein—The Lord of Glory The Resemblance Between the Old Testament and the New.
1. Introduction, showing the necessity of proving the similarity of both dispensations in opposition to Servetus and the Anabaptists. 2. This similarity in general. Both covenants truly one, though differently administered. Three things in which they entirely agree. 3. First general similarity, or agreement--viz. that the Old Testament, equally with the New, extended its promises beyond the present life, and held out a sure hope of immortality. Reason for this resemblance. Objection answered. 4. …
John Calvin—The Institutes of the Christian Religion Seven Sanctified Thoughts and Mournful Sighs of a Sick Man Ready to Die.
Now, forasmuch as God of his infinite mercy doth so temper our pain and sickness, that we are not always oppressed with extremity, but gives us in the midst of our extremities some respite, to ease and refresh ourselves, thou must have an especial care, considering how short a time thou hast either for ever to lose or to obtain heaven, to make use of every breathing time which God affords thee; and during that little time of ease to gather strength against the fits of greater anguish. Therefore, …
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety Three Things Briefly to be Regarded in Christ --viz. His Offices of Prophet, King, and Priest.
1. Among heretics and false Christians, Christ is found in name only; but by those who are truly and effectually called of God, he is acknowledged as a Prophet, King, and Priest. In regard to the Prophetical Office, the Redeemer of the Church is the same from whom believers under the Law hoped for the full light of understanding. 2. The unction of Christ, though it has respect chiefly to the Kingly Office, refers also to the Prophetical and Priestly Offices. The dignity, necessity, and use of this …
John Calvin—The Institutes of the Christian Religion The Angel of the Lord in the Pentateuch, and the Book of Joshua.
The New Testament distinguishes between the hidden God and the revealed God--the Son or Logos--who is connected with the former by oneness of nature, and who from everlasting, and even at the creation itself, filled up the immeasurable distance between the Creator and the creation;--who has been the Mediator in all God's relations to the world;--who at all times, and even before He became man in Christ, has been the light of [Pg 116] the world,--and to whom, specially, was committed the direction …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament The Blessed Privilege of Seeing God Explained
They shall see God. Matthew 5:8 These words are linked to the former and they are a great incentive to heart-purity. The pure heart shall see the pure God. There is a double sight which the saints have of God. 1 In this life; that is, spiritually by the eye of faith. Faith sees God's glorious attributes in the glass of his Word. Faith beholds him showing forth himself through the lattice of his ordinances. Thus Moses saw him who was invisible (Hebrews 11:27). Believers see God's glory as it were …
Thomas Watson—The Beatitudes: An Exposition of Matthew 5:1-12 A Discourse of the House and Forest of Lebanon
OF THE HOUSE OF THE FOREST OF LEBANON. ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR. That part of Palestine in which the celebrated mountains of Lebanon are situated, is the border country adjoining Syria, having Sidon for its seaport, and Land, nearly adjoining the city of Damascus, on the north. This metropolitan city of Syria, and capital of the kingdom of Damascus, was strongly fortified; and during the border conflicts it served as a cover to the Assyrian army. Bunyan, with great reason, supposes that, to keep …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3 "And the Life. " How Christ is the Life.
This, as the former, being spoken indefinitely, may be universally taken, as relating both to such as are yet in the state of nature, and to such as are in the state of grace, and so may be considered in reference to both, and ground three points of truth, both in reference to the one, and in reference to the other; to wit, 1. That our case is such as we stand in need of his help, as being the Life. 2. That no other way but by him, can we get that supply of life, which we stand in need of, for he …
John Brown (of Wamphray)—Christ The Way, The Truth, and The Life Isaiah
CHAPTERS I-XXXIX Isaiah is the most regal of the prophets. His words and thoughts are those of a man whose eyes had seen the King, vi. 5. The times in which he lived were big with political problems, which he met as a statesman who saw the large meaning of events, and as a prophet who read a divine purpose in history. Unlike his younger contemporary Micah, he was, in all probability, an aristocrat; and during his long ministry (740-701 B.C., possibly, but not probably later) he bore testimony, as …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Isaiah 33:20 NIVIsaiah 33:20 NLTIsaiah 33:20 ESVIsaiah 33:20 NASBIsaiah 33:20 KJV
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