Isaiah 24:19Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

In such moments, confusion and dread engulf all, and the residents of the earth, as if under a powerful influence, find themselves beset by various calamities. The scripture further notes: ‘The earth was shaken like a storehouse of vegetables in the fields,’ and adds, ‘But iniquity is overcome therein.’ While those upon the earth indulge in sin to varying degrees, God delays punishment and holds back His wrath; yet, when the sinfulness of all escalates, it becomes necessary for God to inspect the earth. With iniquity reaching its peak, the earth becomes metaphorically intoxicated, reeling and shaken by numerous adversities.

Thus, the earth will experience fracturing and ruin, shaking like one intoxicated—not because the earth itself will become dust, but due to the passing away of all worldly things, giving rise to a new creation. Just as one drunk does not comprehend their actions and becomes incapacitated, so too will all people on the earth become bewildered by the enormity of evils and judgments that surround them. As a tent is moved from location to location at night, leaving no traces of its previous place, the current state of the world shall fade away, leaving the earth barren, burdened by its transgressions, the weight of which Zechariah depicted when he spoke of the one sitting upon a talent of lead. He foretold of its fall, stating it shall not rise again—not to deny the resurrection of humanity or all who dwell on the earth, but to indicate that earthly existence and former relationships will cease. Nevertheless, the bodies of people shall be resurrected so their souls can don the same forms they once inhabited, to receive divine judgment based on their earthly deeds.