Today let’s look at Isaiah 32. In chapter 31 Judah who was threatened by Assyria did not depend upon God, but upon Egypt. God punished Judah for that, but in the end like a parent bird opens its wings and protects its babies, God will protect Judah and Assyria will be judged. This is not only in the age of Isaiah, but it is also a prophecy about the end of the world. In that day “Assyria will fall by no human sword; a sword, not of mortals, will devour them.” (31:8) The Lord who will reappear will have victory over those who oppose God and will bring peace to the people of God. He will bring the Millennium. That prophecy is written in chapter 32. Today let’s look at that kingdom.

I. The noble do noble things (vs. 1-8)
First of all please look at verses 1 to 8. Let’s read verses 1 and 2. “See, a king will reign in righteousness and rulers will rule with justice. Each one will be like a shelter from the wind and a refuge from the storm, like streams of water in the desert and the shadow of a great rock in a thirsty land.”
“A king” in verse 1 in Isaiah’s age refers to King Hezekiah. Ultimately it refers to the Messiah, Jesus Christ. In that day, in other words, in the Millennium Christ will by righteousness rule this world. He like “a refuge from the storm” (2) will take care of the people. “Like streams of water in the desert” (2) He will give them life. Like “the shadow of a great rock in a thirsty land” (2) He will give rest. Therefore, that time will bring perfect peace, and perfect rest. Even now those who believe in Jesus Christ are given spiritual peace, but at the time of the Millennium, just as it says literally it will bring peace.
Also in the kingdom that is ruled by “a king” (1) not only will the external environmental change be made new, but even the hearts of the people will be new. Please look at verses 3 and 4. “Then the eyes of those who see will no longer be closed, and the ears of those who hear will listen. The fearful heart will know and understand, and the stammering tongue will be fluent and clear.” This means that the hearts of those whose were spiritually numb will be changed, and they will clearly “know and understand”. (4) Those that read or hear the word of God will no longer have a veil over their hearts, but will see things clearly. “The fearful heart” (4) are “those who are wayward in spirit” (Isaiah 29:24) Verse 4 is the same prophecy as we find in 29:24. “Those who are wayward in spirit will gain understanding; those who complain will accept instruction.” (29:24) “The fearful heart will know and understand” (4) for the Spirit of God will open their understanding. That is because Christ the King reigns.

This has been spoken about many times before in the book of Isaiah. For example Isaiah 9:6 and 7 it says,
☆For to us a child is born,
To us a son is given,
And the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Of the greatness of his government and peace
There will be no end.
He will reign on David’s throne
And over his kingdom,
Establishing and upholding it
With justice and righteousness
From that time on and forever.
The zeal of the LORD Almighty
Will accomplish this. ☆☆☆
“For to us a child is born” (Isaiah 9:6) means that the Messiah will come as a baby. This was fulfilled by Jesus Christ who was born as a person. “He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” (Isaiah 9:6)　He is a “mighty God”. (Isaiah 9:6) “He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness.” (Isaiah 9:7)
Also it says in chapter 11 verses 1 to 5,
☆”A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse;
From his roots a Branch will bear fruit.
The Spirit of the LORD will rest on him-
The Spirit of wisdom and of understanding,
The Spirit of counsel and of might,
The Spirit of the knowledge and fear of the LORD-
And he will delight in the fear of the LORD.
He will not judge by what he sees with his eyes,
Or decide by what he hears with his ears;
But with righteousness he will judge the needy,
With justice he will give decisions for the poor of the earth.
He will strike the earth with the rod of his mouth;
With the breath of his lips he will slay the wicked.
Righteousness will be his belt
And faithfulness the sash around his waist.
“Jesse“ was David’s father. The Messiah that will come in the course of time will come from David’s descendants. Not only that but here it says, “from his roots a Branch will bear fruit.”(11:1) The word for “branch” (11:1) is “Netzer” in Hebrew. It is the root word for the word Nazareth. This Messiah will come from Nazareth of Galilee and bear fruit. Just as this prophecy says Jesus Christ was the son of Joseph, a descendant of David.　He came from Nazareth and he bore fruit. Also Jesus by the wisdom of God spoke the Word of God. That was because “the Spirit of the Lord” (Isaiah 11:1) rested on him. In the course of time, at the end of the world, He will come again and by the Spirit of God rule the world righteously.
By the way, if you look at verse 1, you will see that it says, “Rulers will rule with justice”. The “rulers” (1) are us Christians. At that time Christians will rule with Christ on earth. If you look at Romans 8:17, it says, “We are heirs-heirs of God co-heir with Christ.” At that time we will be resurrected into a spiritual body and will rule the earth with the risen Lord. (See Matt. 19:28; Rev. 1:6; 5:10)　
Also in verse five it says, “No longer will the fool be called noble nor the scoundrel be highly respected.” What a fool is like is described in the following verse. “Fools speak folly, their hearts are bent on evil: They practice ungodliness and spread error concerning the LORD; the hungry they leave empty and from the thirsty they withhold water.” (6) Also in verse 5 the word “scoundrel” appears. The word means a person that cares for nothing but himself, does no good with what he has, and is an unprofitable burden for society. He acts contrary to the will of God. “Scoundrels use wicked methods, they make up evil schemes to destroy the poor with lies, even when the plea of the needy is just.” (7) In the Millennium such people will not “be called noble nor…highly respected.” (5) Now sometimes fools are called noble and scoundrels are highly respected, but in the coming Millennium that definitely will not be. That is because the Messiah, “a king will reign in righteousness.” (1) Therefore, we must not be pained in our hearts each time we experience such things. We must not be boiling over in anger wanting to take revenge. It is not necessary to try with all your might to get the person out of the position he is in. When the time comes, the Lord will turn things upside down. It is meaningless to try to turn things upside down by politics or by everyone’s strength to turn things upside down. Even if you make some progress, there are limits to what you can do. What we should do is written in verse 8.
“But the noble make noble plans, and by noble deeds they stand.” (8)
Here the word, “noble” (8) appears. The word “the noble” also appears in Exodus 35:5 and 22. There the word is translated as “willing”. It is a person who willfully gives from his heart. In other words, it is a person whose heart is directed towards God. From his free-will from his heart he worships the Lord. A “fool” (5) is not like this. Neither is a “scoundrel”. (5) “They practice ungodliness and spread error concerning the LORD.” (6) However, “the noble” praise the Lord. They willfully worship the Lord. They don’t use wicked methods, but show the love of God to the hungry and the thirsty. That is what the noble are like. That is what Christians are like. That is what believers, those who are called real worshippers, are like. We must be noble.
Martin Luther King who stood up for the rights of the Blacks, on April 3rd, 1968 gave his last sermon at the Bishop Charles Mason Temple in Memphis Tennessee. In the message he said,
“We’ve got some difficult days ahead. But it doesn’t matter with me now. Because I’ve been to the mountaintop. And I don’t mind. Like anybody, I would like to live a long life. Longevity has its place. But I’m not concerned about that now. I just want to do God’s will. And He’s allowed me to go up to the mountain. And I’ve looked over. And I’ve seen the promised land. I may not get there with you. But I want you to know tonight, that we, as a people will get to the promised land. And I’m happy, tonight. I’m not worried about anything. I’m not fearing any man. Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming Lord.
Martin Luther King was a really noble man. His heart was always directed at God and only sought to follow the will of God. “The noble make noble plans, and by noble deeds they stand.” (8) What are you looking at? What are you planning? “The noble make noble plans, and by noble deeds they stand.” (8) May you honor God, sing praises to the Lord, and walk in the Lord’s will. May you heart always be directed to God, and may you live looking to God.

II. The complacent women (Vs. 9-14)
Next I’d like to look at verses 9 to 14. I’ll read verse 9.
Vs. 9
Here all at once women appear. They are “women who are so complacent”(9) or “daughters who feel secure”. (9) In a positive meaning, “complacent” is being pleased with a situation so that you stop complaining and trying to improve things. However, here this is used in the negative sense that the women feel secure and happy about their situation and so they were making no changes in their lives. This is a warning to Israel, Southern Judah. They depended upon human strength, Egypt and did “not look to the Holy One of Israel” (31:1) Even though they were warned many times of disaster, they didn’t repent of their shameful actions and life so they were “complacent”. (9) They were spiritually numb showing no signs of repenting and were in the condition of being indifferent about it. Also these women felt “secure”. (9) This “secure” is also being used in a negative sense. They weren’t secure because they were trusting in God, but because they believed in themselves. Even though judgment was close at hand,

they put too much confidence in themselves and thought everything was o.k. They were secure thinking that they didn’t need God, and lived in self-complacency. This was a warning to this type of women.
This isn’t a problem just for women. Men are the same. Mankind, men and women have the same nature. Therefore, this isn’t limited to just women, but men also have this tendency. They feel secure. However, even so here is speaking to “women” (9) because in reality women are the moral standard of society. If you look at the women, you will know what kind of society it is. When women ethically and morally fall, that society is a clear picture of the fallen condition. That is a fact. I don’t despise women. If you look at women, you will know right away what kind of society it is. That’s why the word “women” (9) is used. The men are the same. Even though judgment was close at hand, they put too much confidence in themselves and thought everything was o.k. They thought there was no problem. They thought that now was peaceful. They thought they lacked nothing. They had confidence and as they lived luxuriously they had a wrong sense of security and in the course of time it invited a tragic result.
Please open your Bibles to I Thess. 5:1-3. Here too “complacent” (9) and “secure” (9) people appear.
I Thess. 5:1-3
The Lord will come like a thief. When he will come, no one knows. At a time when people are complacently saying, “’Peace and safety,’ destruction will come on them suddenly.” (I Thess. 5:3)
Please look at verses 10 to 14. Here it talks about the judgment that will come upon the “women who are so complacent…you daughters who feel secure.” (9)
Vs. 10-14
The women who expected an abundant harvest and are drunk with joy will beat their breasts and “mourn”. (13) Therefore, we must not be “complacent.” (9) We must not “feel secure”. (13) We must wake up and be modest. When the Lord comes, it’s too late. Such idleness becomes spiritual numbness. Is there a possibility that you haven’t realized that you are separated far from the Lord?

III. The fruit of righteousness will be peace (17)
Lastly, let’s look at verses 15 to 20. First let’s read verses 15 to 18.
Vs. 15-18
Punishment will continue “till the Spirit is poured upon us.” (15) God’s Spirit is the Spirit that created the heavens and the earth and it is the Spirit that gives man life. God’s Spirit is also the Spirit that gives the man of God the power to perform great works. When that “Spirit is poured upon us” (15) everything is changed. “The desert becomes a fertile field, and the fertile field seems like a forest.” (15) The entire world that God made will be changed. The world that is soiled with sin will be restored to a lovely world like “a fertile field…like a forest.” (15) It will be like the Garden of Eden before the first man, Adam and Eve sinned.
That’s not all. After such natural change, moral and spiritual principles will be established. As it says in verse 16, “Justice will dwell in the desert and righteousness live in the fertile field,” and in the same way sound principles and customs full of justice and righteousness will dwell in the desert and in fertile field.
That’s not all. Please look at verse 17.
Vs. 17
“Righteousness” (17) is in our relationship with God. Having a right relationship with God makes peace. “The effect of righteousness will be quietness and confidence forever.” (17) “Quietness and confidence” (17) is eternal peace and security.
Everyone is searching for this eternal peace and security. We want quietness. We want peace. “The fruit of righteousness will be peace; the effect of righteousness will be quietness and confidence forever.” (17) That means eternal peace and security are obtained by having a relationship with God. We must be tied to God. “There is no peace…for the wicked.” (48:22) If our relationship with God is not right, there is no peace. When there is a gap in our relationship with God, when it is distorted, when there are obstacles in our way, then there is no peace. We have uncertainties. “The fruit of righteousness will be peace.” (17)Therefore, if you want peace, if you want to have “quietness” (17), then you must seek a relationship with God.
Romans 5:1
To have a correct relationship with God you must believe in Jesus Christ and receive forgiveness for your sins. All men are completely separated from God and sin so they are unable to received God’s glory. “All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one.”(Romans 3:11) By man’s power there is no one who is made righteous before God. Therefore, God showed us righteousness that was different from the righteousness of the law. That was Jesus Christ. Christ who was God’s son took on the same form as us, mankind, and was born in this world. God became man. That is Christmas. It is unthinkable that God would become man. Some people say, “Who could believe in such a silly story!” However, God did such an unbelievable thing. This was such a huge event that human history is divided into two parts, B.C. and A.D. It’s a fact that God gave us a boy through the womb of Mary in Bethlehem of Judea. He had a life of 33 years, and in the end he took upon himself all of our sin and died on the cross. That was so “that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16) By Him God’s wrath was appeased. By him the wrath of God against mankind, God’s hostility was taken away by

Christ. Therefore, anyone who believes in him can have their sins forgiven and can be reconciled with God. We can have peace with God. Then “the fruit of righteousness will be peace; the effect of righteousness will be quietness and confidence forever.” (17)
Do you have righteousness? “My people will live in peaceful dwelling places, in secure homes, in undisturbed places of rest.” (18) People whose sins are forgiven, Christians are called “my people”. (18) “My people will live in peaceful dwelling places, in secure homes, in undisturbed places of rest.” (18) How is your home? Is it a peaceful dwelling place? A secure home? An undisturbed place of rest? “My people will live in peaceful dwelling places, in secure homes, in undisturbed places of rest.” (18) If you believe and become reconciled to God, if you have peace with God, you will become like this promise.
That day is coming close. 2000 years ago just like this passage says, the Spirit was “poured upon us from on high,” (15) and by the powerful work of God the Christian church was born. At the end of the world in the same way the pouring of the Holy Spirit will occur. At that time we will receive perfect peace. The promise of a “peaceful dwelling places, in secure homes, in undisturbed places of rest” (18) will be fulfilled. Therefore, before that please believe in this promise of peace. In that day may we together “live in peaceful dwelling places, in secure homes, in undisturbed places of rest.” (18) Please believe in Jesus Christ, the coming prince of peace so that the promise will be yours. Jesus Christ was born for that purpose. He was born so that you could have peace with God and so that in the course of time you “will live in peaceful dwelling places, in secure homes, in undisturbed places of rest.” (18) Please realize that “the fruit of righteousness will be peace; the effect of righteousness will be quietness and confidence forever.” (17)