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Isaiah has used the word twice before in chapter 16: 4 where he speaks of "a covert"
from the face of the spoiler, and in 28: 17, where the "refuge of lies" is referred to
and it is said that "the waters shall overflow the hiding place".
Moreover, a two-fold provision that would be fully appreciated by those who dwelt in
a thirsty land is found in this "man".
"As rivers of water in a dry place, as the shadow of a great rock in a weary (or thirsty)
land" (Isa. 32: 2).
The figure of a shadow is one that is used very freely in the Old Testament.
"Hide me under the shadow of Thy wings" (Psa. 17: 8).
"How excellent is Thy loving kindness, O God! therefore the children of men put
their trust under the shadow of Thy wings" (Psa. 36: 7).
Isaiah himself contrasts the "shadow" provided by the Lord (Isa. 4: 6; 25: 4), with
the "refuge of lies" to which Israel turned when they put their trust "in the shadow of
Egypt" (Isa. 32: 2, 3).
The "weary" land, is a land where weariness arises out of drought and thirst. In
Psalm 63: 1 and 143: 6 it is translated "a thirsty land" and in Prov. 25: 25 it is used
of a "thirsty" soul.
These are lovely and blessed forecasts of the reign of Christ. In Isa. 32: 17 and 18,
as the structure reveals, these blessings are again to the fore, and we draw attention to two
important reciprocal principles underlying them.
(1)
In both Isa. 32: 1, 2, and in the sequel verses 17 and 18, peace is the effect and
work of righteousness, and
(2)
Then the abstract terms "righteousness, quietness and assurance" are realized in
the concrete enjoyment of "peaceable habitation, sure dwellings and quiet resting
places".
Quite apart from the importance of understanding the teaching of Isaiah, the true and
scriptural meaning of "peace" and its essential relationship to "righteousness", lies at the
very foundation of our faith and is practically the key which unlocks the doctrine of the
Epistle to the Romans.
Shalom, "peace", is derived from shallam, which has the meaning of "completeness".
This completeness colours the varied ways in which shallam is used in the O.T. For
example,
"The days of thy mourning shall be ended" (Isa. 60: 20).
"Thus all the work . . . . . was finished" (II Chron. 5: 1).
It is especially important to perceive this "completing" in such usage as,