KJV Isaiah 32:2 “A man shall be as a 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 weary land.”
NASB Isaiah 32:2 “Each 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.”
Coming of the King
A king shall reign in righteousness! This has never been realized in Israel or the world’s history. It is still in the future. Yet it is certain. God will establish His King upon His holy hill in Zion.
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
Refuge – A Hiding Place
The word for hiding place is used only twice — here and in 1 Samuel 23:23. The Lord Jesus will be a refuge from the winds of international opinion and opposition for the Nation. No winds of change will ever buffet them again. They may stand alone today against the prevailing opinions on university campuses and among heads of state, but not in that day.
Resort – Covert from the tempest
The word “covert” means a secret place or covering from the tempest, storm, or flood. Nothing will ever again touch the Nation. National persecution, enemy attacks, and hostility will be over. When, at the end of the millennial reign, the final attack from Satan and his minions is planned, it will be dashed to pieces in a moment of time.
Refreshment – 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, void of refreshment. The Nation and the nations have been wandering in a desert for millennia. All that will end when this Man comes forth to refresh the nations. Little wonder that Peter could refer to it as “times of refreshing” (Acts 3:19).
Rest – Shadow of a Great Rock
The word for 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, and refreshment available to all.
Completeness of the Change
Spiritual Change
“God, who once closed the eyes and ears of the nation, now that His purposes of judgment have been fulfilled, opens the eyes and ears so that they may see and hear as they should” (E. J. Young). They will then have ears to hear (Mt 11:15). The hearts that were hard will now understand. Their tongues will be loosed to praise and worship.