NOTES for Isa 33:1-24
Let the invaders who plunder the lands they have conquered not rejoice; they too will have to taste retribution for all their crimes. Meanwhile, the prophet constantly alternates encouraging speeches about the coming fall of the aggressors with accusations against the Israelites themselves, who brought harsh punishments upon themselves by their own sins.
But the accusations are also interwoven with scenes of a different life for that same people, a life that will come when the people keep faith with the Lord. Here the words that in those prosperous times the fear of the Lord will be treasure sound striking. The present fear of the sinners living on Zion, as the prophet describes it, is not that kind of fear at all; it is terror before retribution on the part of those who have not yet taken the path of repentance. But now the prophet speaks of those who have nothing to fear from the flame that consumes sinners, and how simple and accessible it is: in order not to become a victim of the fire, one must not oppress anyone, must not take bribes... A similar counsel will be given several centuries later by John the Baptist to the soldiers who come to him. Once again one is struck: this is so easy, so why do we fail to act this way century after century?...
But how should we understand the counsel not to hear about bloodshed and not to see evil? Is it a recommendation to bury one's head in the sand? It is not, and besides, for those who live in the midst of real evil, that is, all of us, this would not work literally. Here the issue is the psychological danger of admitting evil into the soul by actively staring into it, the danger of becoming used to it. In that case we risk becoming bearers of what at first horrified us.
It is much better to turn one's gaze toward the One who will overcome every evil. According to the prophet's word, the Lord will be in place of rivers, and this means that, while great pagan civilizations grew up on the banks of great rivers, He gives His faithful ones the possibility of living and growing near Him. Moreover, great rivers not only feed those who have settled along their banks; the ships of invaders can also come by their waters. But the Lord is reliable protection, impassable for the forces of evil.