Isa 32.1-20 is a prophecy about the Messiah after Israel has been sifted, judged and delivered after the birth-pains. Although some of these verses would apply to King Hezekiah after the defeat of the Assyrians, it clearly applies to King Messiah in the Messianic Kingdom.
v 1…Behold (take note), a king will reign righteously (Jer 23.6) and princes (those who hold positions of authority in the kingdom) will rule justly (according to the Torah).
v 2…And a man (Yeshua) will be like a refuge from the wind (storms), and a shelter from the tempest (oppression), like streams of waters in a dry country (refreshing the soul), like the shade of a huge rock (Hebrew “Cela” meaning a clefted rock) in a parched land (Matt 11.28-30).
v 3…Then the eyes of those who see will not be blinded (spiritual understanding of the people and the prophets), and the ears of those who hear will listen (spiritually hear true instruction).
v 4…And the mind (Hebrew “Lev” or heart or insight, desires) of the hasty will discern the truth (Hebrew “Da’at” meaning the knowledge of God in Torah facts), and the tongue of the stammerers will hasten to speak clearly (in plain agreement with the Torah/Scriptures).
v 5…No longer will the fool (“nabal” or a “rasha” meaning wicked) be called noble, or the rogue (fraud) be spoken of as generous (they won’t be in high positions in the kingdom).
v 6…For a fool (nabal or rasha/wicked) speaks nonsense, and his heart (desires) inclines towards wickedness, to practice ungodliness and to speak error (by their doctrine that is contrary to the Torah) against Yehovah (arguments of unbelief and they do not know the Scriptures, and doesn’t care), to keep the hungry person unsatisfied and to withhold drink from the thirsty (who hunger and thirst after righteousness-Matt 5.6).
v 7…As for a rogue (a fraud) his weapons are evil; he devises wicked schemes to destroy the afflicted with slander (lying words), even though the needy one speaks what is right (his claims are true and just).
v 8…But the noble man devises noble plans; and by noble plans he stands (is established in good doctrine according to the word of God-Acts 17.11).
v 9…Rise up you women who are at ease (unconcerned), and hear my voice; give ear to my word, you complacent daughters (they didn’t care and were not interested in important things).
v 10…Within a year and a few days (means “days upon a year” or an indefinite time) you will be troubled (for their sinfulness), O complacent daughters (they influence the children), for the vintage is ended and the fruit gathering will not come (no harvest, no joy).
v 11…Tremble, you who are at ease (the women); be troubled, you complacent (daughters); strip, undress, and put sackcloth on your waist (put aside your costly garments and put on garments of mourning).
v 12…Beat your breast for the pleasant fields, for the fruitful vine (sources of nourishment),
v 13…For the land of my people in which thorns and briars shall come up (a curse); Yea, for all the joyful houses, and for the jubilant city,
v 14…Because the palace (of the king) has been abandoned, the populated city forsaken (given to the enemy). The hill (forts) and watch-tower have become pens (caves for wild animals) forever (“Olam”-see 1 Sam 1.22 notes), a delight for wild donkeys, a pasture for flocks;
v 15…Until the Spirit (Ruach ha Kodesh) is poured out upon us from on high (the power of God will come on the people when Messiah comes, and this was an expectation of the people-Num 11.16; Isa 59.20; Joel 2.29; Lam 3.39; Acts 1.8, 2.1-4; John 7.37-39), and the wilderness becomes a fertile field and the fertile field is considered a forest (speaks of regeneration not only of the earth, but spiritually also-Isa 61.1).
v 16…Then justice will dwell in the wilderness (where it was formerly unknown because it was seen as the abode of the wicked), and righteousness will abide in the fertile field (Torah observance will continue-Isa 60.21),
v 17…And the work of righteousness (as defined by the Torah) will be peace, and the service of righteousness (as defined by the Torah), quietness and confidence forever.
v 18…Then my people (the eschatological Kahal) will live in a peaceful habitation, and in secure dwellings and in undisturbed resting places (a term for the Messianic Kingdom);
v 19…And it will hail when the forest comes down, and the city will be utterly laid low (this refers to the destruction of the hostile powers against Yehovah-Rev 16.19).
v 20…How blessed will you be, you who sow beside the waters (fertile areas), who let out freely the ox and the donkey (to roam and graze freely, a picture of security-Isa 65.25. The donkey is a kingly animal and this alludes to the Messianic Kingdom-Zech 9.9; Gen 49.11; 2 Sam 16.2; 1 Kings 1.33).
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