God is not vindictive in meeting out judgement upon transgressors. His purpose is to save, not to destroy, but sin calls for judgment. Although God’s purpose is, if possible, to save the sinner from his sin, nevertheless those who persist in iniquity need to realize that the hour is coming when they must face the Judge of all the earth, who has pledged that He will not clear the guilty (Ex. 34:7; Num. 14:18).

The enemies of just men are enemies of God. The Lord is against injustice and oppression of every kind. Those who take advantage of their fellows are setting themselves up as adversaries of God. Accordingly, the leaders of Israel were rapidly placing themselves in a position where God would be forced to take action against them.

 A similar title for God is used in chs. 49:26; 60:16. The judges in Promised Land were not interested in the poor, from whom they could expect little in the way of reward, but the cause of the poor had come before Him who is ruler of heaven and judge of all the earth. Little did these oppressors of the poor realize that they were arraying against themselves all the might and power of Heaven. Through Isaiah the Lord gave the message, “I will contend with him that contendeth with thee” (ch. 49:25).