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Overview

Isaiah 33 highlights again that YHWH is the true King of Israel. Human kings come and go, but the Lord reigns on high. 

Isaiah 33:1-2

Ah, you destroyer, who yourself have not been destroyed, you traitor, whom none has betrayed! When you have ceased to destroy, you will be destroyed; and when you have finished betraying, they will betray you. O Lord, be gracious to us; we wait for you. Be our arm every morning, our salvation in the time of trouble.

Assyria is looming. This is the constant political uncertainty within the southern kingdom (i.e. Judah). The destroyer is not there yet, but rumors are swirling. Nevertheless, the appropriate cry is that the Lord is gracious, begging Him to be our arm, our salvation in time of trouble. This cry should be spoken from the people of God of all generations. There is always an Assyria looming. 

Isaiah 33:5-6

The Lord is exalted, for he dwells on high; he will fill Zion with justice and righteousness, and he will be the stability of your times, abundance of salvation, wisdom, and knowledge; the fear of the Lord is Zion's treasure.

This is likely another snapshot of Zion (i.e. Jerusalem) that is still to come. Again, whether it is during the millennium or the eternal state is not important, but what we do know is that this will be a glorious time of peace and righteousness. And yet notice the final phrase of verse 6—the fear of the Lord is Zion’s treasure. Do you view the fear of the Lord as a TREASURE? Do you acknowledge the value of reverence and standing in awe of our Creator, our King? That (or more accurately He) is our greatest treasure in this life. 

Isaiah 33:13-14

Hear, you who are far off, what I have done; and you who are near, acknowledge my might. The sinners in Zion are afraid; trembling has seized the godless: “Who among us can dwell with the consuming fire? Who among us can dwell with everlasting burnings?”

There is a beauty within these verses, even though the content is harrowing. The fear of the Lord may be Zion’s treasure, but the presence of the Lord to the unrighteous makes them afraid. This also reminds the reader that God is both just and gracious. He is both merciful and holy. He is perfect in all His attributes. When we know God more, we begin to love all of His attributes, even the ones that are mysterious to us. 

So the question is simple: Is the fear of the Lord your treasure today? If it isn’t, ask Him to soften your heart. Ask Him to make holy things more valuable to you. Just go to Him. There is no safer place in this world.