26:20
We have a mixture of prophecies of judgement and promises of great blessing. So how are God’s people to react in the meantime, while evil still seems to be prospering? Isaiah tells them to “hide yourselves for a little while until His wrath has passed”. This does seem like pietism. There was a recent book called The Benedict Option by Rod Dreher which may have been advocating a somewhat similar approach (at the time of writing I haven’t read the book yet, my comment is just based on some impressions gained from reviews of the book). I would guess that most of us would think that as Christians we ought to stand up for Christian values and a Christian approach, seeking to help the suffering and saving the lost. We should note that this verse is not recommending a practice that is applicable at all times in all places, but there may be times when we do just have to “hide”.
26:21
This is not a hiding because they are to give up. It is a hiding waiting for the Lord to come, and in the certain knowledge that He will come. The Lord is stirring Himself and will come to judge the earth. He will punish the sins of the people, and this is not just an Old Testament concept! The New Testament makes no sense without judgement. There will come a time when the violent and corrupt will no longer get away with it.
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