Isaiah — Chapter 32
Synopsis Capitis
Synopsis: The righteous king and the Messianic era — 'Behold, a king shall reign in justice' (v.1). Lapide reads the righteous king as Christ and the princes as the Apostles. The chapter contrasts the false security of Jerusalem's women (v.9-14, lament) with the true security of the Spirit's outpouring (v.15-20). Key verse: v.15, 'Until the Spirit is poured upon us from on high' — the Pentecostal outpouring as the true transformation of the moral order.
Verse 1
Ecce in justitia regnabit rex
Behold, a king shall reign in justice and princes shall rule in judgment — Christ is this king (Mt 27:11, Jn 18:37: 'I am a king'). His reign is in justice (righteousness), not military power. The princes = the Apostles and their successors (bishops), governing in Christ's name. Lapide: the Church's governance is ideally a reign of justice — not arbitrary power but ordered to divine law and the common good of souls.
Verse 2
And a man shall be as when one is hid from the wind, and hideth himself from a storm, as rivers of waters in drought, and the shadow of a rock that standeth out in a desert land. The 'man' = Christ (Cyril, Jerome): He shelters His people from the wind of trials, offers rivers of living water in the desert of this life, and is the rock of solid refuge.
Verse 9
Rise up, ye women that are wealthy, hear my voice, ye confident daughters, give ear to my speech. The wanton women of Judah warned of the Romans' devastation — parallel to ch.3's treatment. Jerusalem's prosperity and spiritual complacency will be stripped away.
Verse 15
Donec effundatur super nos spiritus de excelso
Until the Spirit be poured upon us from on high — the condition for the just kingdom: the Holy Spirit's outpouring. Fulfilled at Pentecost (Acts 2:17-18, citing Joel 2:28-29: 'I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh'). Lapide: the entire moral transformation described in v.15-20 (desert becoming fruitful field, justice dwelling in the wilderness, the work of righteousness being peace) is the fruit of the Spirit poured out at Pentecost and continuing in the Church's sacramental life.