Behold, a King Will Reign in Righteousness

By Dean Collins

That was the promise that Isaiah gave to the people living in Judah, and especially of those in Jerusalem, right after Isaiah 31 had continued the warnings about alliances with Egypt. Trusting in horses, chariots, and foreign leaders was ill advised according to the prophet Isaiah. And yet time and time again, both the northern and southern kingdoms looked for help in the wrong places, and it came with a cost.

But Isaiah 32 suddenly brought words of hope. These words would signal a better day: “Behold, a king will reign in righteousness, and princes will rule in justice.” Isn’t that what every citizen in any country would hope for? A leader who reigned in righteousness and didn’t seek power, wealth, or control of the rules and means of justice. Isaiah went on to give images of what being ruled by righteousness would look like:

…like a hiding place from the wind

…like a shelter from the storm

…like streams of water in a dry place

…like the shade of a great rock in a weary land

So, who would be such a leader? Well, in the short run Isaiah scholars agree that King Hezekiah would be a righteous king. We know from 2 Kings and 2 Chronicles that Hezekiah did many of the right things:

·      He tore down idols.

·      He trusted in God.

·      He prayed humbly and earnestly. 

·      He fortified the city in order to protect the citizens. 

·      He was compared to King David because of his righteousness. 

Yet, like the eight other kings of Judah that scripture refers to as good kings, Hezekiah wasn’t fully righteous or perfect. So, while Isaiah was referring to Hezekiah, I think it is a fair assumption that Isaiah was also bringing a vision and hope of a future king, Jesus, who would truly reign in righteousness and establish his kingdom on earth forever. 

We can all name good leaders and bad leaders in the world presently and in the past. But only one king can fulfill all his promises and establish a kingdom where there is no evil, no selfishness, no poverty or hunger, and no unrighteousness. While we wait for Jesus to return in glory and renew and restore his creation, we are called to live according to his kingdom principles even now. 

Father, we honor and worship you as our righteous king! Thank you for the gift of your Holy Spirit who dwells in us and makes it possible for us live and serve others according to how you taught us and in line with your coming kingdom. Forgive us when we mistakenly look to earthly leaders for safety and comfort instead of fully resting in the shade of you, our great rock of salvation. We long to know you more fully. Come, Lord Jesus. Amen.

Your Time with God’s Word
Isaiah 32:1-8 ESV

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