He who walks righteously and speaks with sincerity, who refuses gain from extortion, whose hand never takes a bribe, who stops his ears against murderous plots and shuts his eyes tightly against evil-- He who walks righteouslyThe phrase "walks righteously" is rooted in the Hebrew concept of "halak" (to walk) and "tsaddiq" (righteous). In the ancient Hebrew context, walking was a metaphor for one's way of life or conduct. To walk righteously implies living in accordance with God's laws and moral principles. This reflects a life of integrity and obedience, aligning one's actions with divine standards. Historically, righteousness was not just a personal attribute but a communal expectation, essential for maintaining covenantal relationships with God. and speaks with sincerity
The Hebrew word for "sincerity" is "mesharim," which conveys the idea of straightness or uprightness. Speaking with sincerity involves honesty and truthfulness, reflecting a heart aligned with God's truth. In a world where deceit was common, especially among leaders and prophets, sincerity was a mark of true faithfulness to God. This phrase emphasizes the importance of integrity in communication, a value deeply rooted in the biblical tradition. who refuses gain from extortion
"Refuses gain from extortion" highlights a rejection of unjust profit. The Hebrew term for extortion, "ma'ashaq," refers to oppression or exploitation. In ancient times, extortion was a common practice among the powerful, who would exploit the vulnerable for personal gain. This phrase calls for ethical financial practices and a commitment to justice, reflecting God's concern for the oppressed and His call for His people to act justly. whose hand never takes a bribe
The prohibition against taking a bribe is a recurring theme in the Bible, as seen in the Hebrew word "shochad," meaning bribe. Bribery undermines justice and corrupts the judicial system, which was central to maintaining order in Israelite society. This phrase underscores the importance of impartiality and fairness, virtues that are essential for leaders and judges who are called to reflect God's justice. who stops his ears against murderous plots
Stopping one's ears against murderous plots involves a conscious decision to reject violence and conspiracy. The Hebrew context here suggests an active resistance to participating in or condoning harm against others. This phrase calls for a commitment to peace and the protection of life, aligning with the biblical commandment against murder and the broader scriptural theme of valuing human life. and shuts his eyes against contemplating evil
Shutting one's eyes against contemplating evil signifies a deliberate avoidance of sinful thoughts and actions. The Hebrew word for evil, "ra," encompasses a wide range of immoral behaviors. This phrase encourages vigilance in guarding one's mind and heart against temptation, reflecting the biblical call to holiness and purity. It serves as a reminder of the importance of inner transformation and the pursuit of godliness in every aspect of life. Persons / Places / Events 1. IsaiahA major prophet in the Old Testament, Isaiah's ministry was primarily to the Kingdom of Judah. He is known for his prophecies concerning the coming of the Messiah and the future glory of God's people. 2. JudahThe southern kingdom of Israel, which was often warned by prophets like Isaiah to turn from their sinful ways and return to God. 3. Righteous IndividualsThe verse describes the characteristics of those who live according to God's standards, emphasizing moral integrity and ethical behavior. 4. Corrupt PracticesThe verse highlights specific sinful behaviors such as extortion, bribery, and plotting evil, which were prevalent in Isaiah's time and are condemned by God. 5. God's Judgment and SalvationThe broader context of Isaiah 33 includes themes of God's judgment on the wicked and His salvation for the righteous, offering hope to those who live according to His ways. Teaching Points Righteous LivingThe verse calls believers to live righteously, emphasizing the importance of integrity in both actions and speech. This involves a commitment to ethical behavior and honesty in all dealings. Rejecting CorruptionChristians are urged to refuse any form of dishonest gain, such as extortion or bribery. This requires vigilance and a firm stand against participating in or condoning corrupt practices. Guarding the Heart and MindThe verse highlights the importance of protecting oneself from evil influences. Believers should be intentional about what they listen to and watch, ensuring that they do not entertain or engage in sinful thoughts or actions. Moral CourageIt takes courage to stand against societal norms that contradict God's standards. Believers are encouraged to be bold in their commitment to righteousness, even when it is unpopular or difficult. Hope in God's JusticeThe broader context of Isaiah 33 assures believers that God will ultimately judge the wicked and vindicate the righteous. This provides hope and encouragement to persevere in righteous living. Bible Study Questions 1. How does Isaiah 33:15 challenge you to evaluate your own actions and speech in light of God's standards for righteousness? 2. In what ways can you actively refuse and stand against corrupt practices in your personal and professional life? 3. How can you guard your heart and mind against evil influences in today's media-saturated world? 4. What practical steps can you take to demonstrate moral courage in situations where you are pressured to compromise your values? 5. How does the promise of God's ultimate justice and salvation encourage you to persevere in living a righteous life? Consider connections to other scriptures that speak of God's justice and faithfulness. Connections to Other Scriptures Psalm 15This Psalm similarly describes the characteristics of a person who may dwell in God's sanctuary, emphasizing integrity, righteousness, and truthfulness. Micah 6:8This verse echoes the call to act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with God, aligning with the righteous behavior described in Isaiah 33:15. Matthew 5:8In the Beatitudes, Jesus blesses the pure in heart, promising that they will see God, which connects to the sincerity and purity of those described in Isaiah 33:15. James 1:27James speaks of pure and undefiled religion as caring for orphans and widows and keeping oneself unstained by the world, paralleling the call to avoid evil and corruption. People Ariel, IsaiahPlaces Bashan, Carmel, Jerusalem, Lebanon, Sharon, ZionTopics Accepting, TRUE, Blamelessly, Blood, Bloodshed, Bribe, Bribes, Contemplating, Death, Despises, Despiseth, Ear, Ears, Evil, Evil-, Extortion, Gain, Gestures, Gives, Hands, Hearing, Hold, Holding, Keeps, Kicking, Lest, Murder, Oppressions, Plots, Profits, Putting, Refusing, Rejects, Rewards, Righteously, Seeing, Shakes, Shaketh, Shaking, Shut, Shuts, Shutteth, Shutting, Sincerity, Speaketh, Speaking, Speaks, Stoppeth, Stopping, Stops, Taking, Unjust, Upright, Uprightly, Walketh, Walking, WalksDictionary of Bible Themes Isaiah 33:15 5238 bribery
6604 acceptance, human Isaiah 33:14-15 8792 oppression, God's attitude Isaiah 33:15-16 5311 extortion
5362 justice, believers' lives
5465 profit
5817 conspiracies
8158 righteousness, of believers
8716 dishonesty, examples Isaiah 33:15-17 5149 eyes 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 33:15 NIVIsaiah 33:15 NLTIsaiah 33:15 ESVIsaiah 33:15 NASBIsaiah 33:15 KJV
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