Isaiah 9:18
For wickedness burneth as the fire: it shall devour the briers and thorns, and shall kindle in the thickets of the forest, and they shall mount up like the lifting up of smoke.
ISAIAH 9:18
The imagery shifts to the ferocity of wickedness burning like fire: “it shall devour the briers and thorns, and shall kindle in the thickets of the forest.” This paints a picture of rampant moral decay that spreads rapidly, a fire that consumes on every side. It foreshadows the political and social devastation that accompanies persistent rebellion against God.
This verse underscores the consequences of sustained sin: destruction spreads, and even forest-scale turmoil emerges from human hardness. It highlights God’s justice, where moral and social decay are not merely personal failings but structures that bring collective ruin.
Consider how small, unchecked wrongs in society can escalate into large-scale harm. Practical response: promote preventive virtue—integrity, generosity, and compassion—in communities. Support restorative justice, care for the vulnerable, and cultivate environments where people can turn from harm before a wider “fire” erupts.
Cross-References
- Romans 1:18-32
- James 3:5-6
- Psalm 72:4
- Ezekiel 6:11-14
- Matthew 3:12