Day of Rest

Isaiah predicts a day of judgment against Babel (13:6, 9, 13; cf. 13:22)l but that same day will be rest for the people of God (14:3). When Yahweh judges Babel, Israel will enjoy Sabbath ( shabat , “cease,” is used twice in v. 4); they will be Noahs, resting ( noach , 14:3) after the flood.

What are they resting from? 14:3 has three min phrases that describe the triple affliction “from” which Yahweh delivers them. First “sorrow” ( otzeb ), a word that can also mean refer to the idols that bring sorrow (cf. Isaiah 48:5). Then fear ( rogen ), and finally hard service ( abodah haqqashah ), the very phrase used for the hard service of Israel in Egypt (Exodus 1:14). On His day, Yahweh will deliver Israel from Egypti-like taskmasters and oppressors (14:4; cf. Exodus 3:7; 5:6).

The triple affliction is also fourfold: sorrow, fear, service, hard. And the affliction is also described in seven key words: sorrow, fear, service, hard, which, serve, in-it. It is an affliction that fills Israel to the four corners, an affliction that persists through seven days. But from all that, the Lord will deliver in His day.