Isaiah 30:28

"Behold, the LORD’s name comes from far away, burning with his anger, and in thick rising smoke. His lips are full of indignation. His tongue is as a devouring fire."

Key Reflection

The Lord’s arrival is depicted here as a terrifying and wrathful event, with imagery that would have struck fear into the hearts of the ancient Israelites. The description of His presence coming “from far away, burning with his anger” and being “in thick rising smoke,” along with the metaphor of His words “as a devouring fire,” vividly conveys the intensity of divine judgment. This portrayal would have been a stark warning to those who were tempted to stray from God’s path, emphasizing the seriousness of disobedience in their context where such threats against apostasy and idolatry were common.

From the Scholars: Barnes' Notes

And his breath -The wordרוחrûachproperly means “wind,” air in motion; then a breathing, an exhalation, a breath; then the soul, spirit, etc. The idea here seems to be that of excited, and rapid, and agitated breathing, as when one is in anger (compareJudges 8:3;Zechariah 6:8). As an overflowing stream -This figure is common to express desolating judgments (see the notes atIsaiah 8:8;Isaiah 10:22;Isaiah 28:17; comparePsalms 69:2,Psalms 69:15).

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