“A king shall reign in righteousness … And a man shall be as an hiding place from the wind, and a covert from the tempest; as rivers of water in a dry place, as the shadow of a great rock in a weary land” Isaiah 32:1,2 KJV

“A king will reign righteously … will be like a refuge from the wind and a shelter from the storm, like streams of water in a dry country, like the shade of a huge rock in a parched land. Isaiah 32:1-2NASB

Coming of the Prince

A king shall reign in righteousness. What a prospect! But this has never been realized in Israel or in the world’s history. It is still future; yet, it is certain. God will establish His king upon His holy hill in Zion. But how will this come about?

Culmination of the Promises

God made a promise to Abram of the land, to David of the throne, and to the nation of a new covenant. The Lord Jesus sitting upon His throne in Zion and bringing the nation into a new covenant relationship will fulfill all God’s promises to His people.

Character of the Protection

A Hiding Place: The word for hiding place is used in 1 Samuel 23:23. He will be a refuge from the winds of international opinion and opposition for the nation. No winds of change will ever buffet them again. No nation or coalition will march on its borders to exterminate them.

Covert from the tempest: Covert means a secret place, a covering, from the tempest storm or flood. Nothing will ever again touch the nation. The storms that have swept over the land, the numerous invasions and destructions of Jerusalem will be a thing of the past.

Rivulets of water: Rivulets may suggest the availability of this refreshment to all. He will in Himself be the refreshment for a thirsty world; a dry place is a desert.

Shadow of a Great Rock: The rock is cela or craggy rock, smitten rock. Here is how He will be all this to His people – His smiting at Calvary will make refuge, rest, refreshment available to all. The One Who knew no refuge, rest, or refreshment at Calvary will provide all for the nation and for the globe. We have entered into all the blessings already.

Consequences of His Power

His reign will bring prosperity to the nation and to the earth. The life-giving and life-sustaining Spirit of God will be poured out from on high (v 15). His reign will be accompanied by the Spirit of God being poured out in blessing. But we are in the good of that blessing already. His reign will bring peace, a peace based on righteousness, not on political alliances or intrigue or diplomacy. His reign will bring assurance for ever; the effect of righteousness will be rest and assurance.

The Contrast

At Calvary there was no protection, provision, place of safety. He was exposed to the tempest, knew thirst, and knew the exposure to the judgment of God. He endured the totality of the curse to bring us the fullness of divine blessing. The blessings we enjoy now will one day flood a redeemed earth.

Consider:

The “until” of verse 15 is one of the great prophetic “untils” of Scripture. Can you find some of the others?

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