from: http://www.esvbible.org/Isaiah+24/
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24:1ff Christian translations emphasize the global aspect of the prophecy, translating "ha'artz", which means both land and earth, as "earth". Many Jewish translations and commentaries emphasize the application of the prophecy, at least first and foremost, to the land of Israel, even to cataclysmic events for the land of Israel that have taken place already.
It is consistent with other Biblical prophecy to read this prophecy as having initial fulfillment on a lesser scale and then ultimately on a maximum scale. However, the relationship between judgments upon the Land of Israel and judgments upon the whole world is more involved than just one of a scale of size, of smaller and larger, of lesser and greater extent. Why Did The God of The Whole Earth Choose To Have A Land Of His Own? In order to understand this prophecy of the G-d of Israel bringing desolation first to the Land of Israel and then ultimately to the whole planet it is first necessary to understand what it means that G-d has a land, that the God of the whole Earth and the whole Universe has chosen a land and a city upon the Earth, as well as a nation to occupy it and serve and obey Him therein. Only in this way will it be possible to understand what it means that G-d says He will make that land desolate. Only when the significance is understood of His having chosen the land and a nation to which to give the land will it be possible to understand the significance of His judging the land to this extent of making the land desolate. Only then, in the light of a true understanding of G-d's having said He will empty His own land and make it desolate, will it be possible to understand how and why this prophecy should also be understood to ultimately apply to the whole planet. Then also the specifics that follow in describing this particular judgment, in verse 2 and following can be clearly explained. Before continuing my notes below, I will provide first the excellent commentary notes of Rabbi Avraham Greenbaum, which bring a good summary of primary rabbinic sources on this chapter. My notes will continue below. Running With The TorahFrom the time of the Assyrians to the time of the Romans to that of the empires of the Europeans, even to this very day of our global society, the Jews have experienced over and over the threat of utter destruction and the need to save themselves and the Torah. Rabbi Avraham Greenbaum's
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