Isaiah 32:1,2–The Blessed King Behold, a king shall reign in righteousness, and princes shall rule in judgment. And a man shall be as an hiding place from the wind, and a covert from the tempest; as rivers of water in a dry place, as the shadow of a great rock in a weary land. Israel under her various kings knew periods of prosperity and decline, as we see in this chapter. Isaiah prophesied during the reigns of four different kings. In this chapter wicked Ahaz is upon the throne of Judah. He had corrupted both civil government and national religion, for he “did not that which was right in the sight of the Lord his God” (2Kings 16:3). Those in positions of power have great influence, either for good or evil. This chapter begins with a prophecy of a flourishing kingdom, one ruled in righteousness with a happy people. After Ahaz came his son Hezekiah, a good king who reformed the affairs of state. “He did that which was right in the sight of the Lord” (2Kings 18:3). The church prospers under such government, for it enables us to lead “a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty” (1Tim.2:2). We should see however that the Holy Spirit through Isaiah is pointing us beyond any king of this world to the King of kings, our Lord Jesus Christ. The Son of God is to come to earth as a man in the wonderful event of the incarnation. Under His rule righteousness shall be permanently established among men and they will be truly blessed. What is this King to His own people? Firstly, Christ shall be a refuge to them. He shall be like a hiding place in a time of wind and storm. We come to Christ as sinners seeking shelter. In our sins we stand exposed to the wrath and curse of God. Drops of divine displeasure are already falling and we fear the coming deluge which shall break over the head of each and every unrepentant sinner. But there is a Substitute for sinners, One who stood in their place, bore the wrath of God in His holy soul, and turned away judicial anger from His people. Believing in Christ we are safe and secure, and as our great King Jesus Christ rules and defends us, keeping us in every providence. Secondly, Christ shall be refreshment to them. This world is a wilderness, offering nothing to the soul of man. But in this desert there flow “rivers of waters,” spiritual blessings from God to sinners through Christ the Mediator. These streams begin with regeneration when the soul is brought to life. They continue through sanctification to glorification, when holiness and likeness to Christ shall be complete. What blessings of divine love, joy and peace the believer enjoys! “Thou shalt make them drink of the river of thy pleasures. For with thee is the fountain of life” (Psa.36:8,9). Lastly, Christ shall be rest to them. He is like a great rock casting its shade at noonday when the sun’s heat is burning. The weary traveller takes his ease in that cooling shade. This is what the cross of our Lord is to the needy sinner. The atonement of Christ casts a mighty shadow over this world and underneath it weary sinners who know they cannot keep God’s commandments find a perfect rest. They are accepted in the Beloved. They are pardoned, cleansed and counted righteous. They wait for the eternal rest of heaven. Have you bowed your knee to this blessed King? He says, “My yoke is easy, and my burden is light” (Matt.11:30). He is the Saviour you need. May you come to know Him in the gospel.