Isaiah 34 relates a judgment against Edom.  Prophetically speaking - yet in our future are these words.

"For the LORD has a day of vengeance, a year of retribution, to uphold Zion's cause."

 The Day of the Lord will be a year long.

"Edom's streams will be turned to pitch."

Edom is east of  Israel, a residence today of Muslims and rich in oil.  Is God telling us that Edom will be a desolate waste forever as a reminder, just as Sodom and Gomorrah are?
 

All of the animals listed in Isaiah 34 in reference to Edom, are scavengers and/or nocturnal.  Is this both symbolic and literal?

What a sad end to King Ahaz. Why is it that so many of the kings gave silver and gold from the temple to their enemies? Does prostitution come to mind? 

Corruptions that led to the downfall of King Ahaz;

1. copied an altar of a false god
2. sought guidance from the bronze altar instead of guidance from the Lord
3. took away the Sabbath canopy
4. offered sacrifices to the gods of Damascus
5. took away the furnishings from the temple
6. shut the doors of the Lord’s temple
7. set up altars at every street corner in Jerusalem
8. built high places in every town in Judah

Any connections for today?  Do the leaders of America try to buy the favors of our enemies?  Do our spiritual leaders copy pagan practices of false gods?  Do we seek guidance from others instead of seeking guidance from the Lord.  Have we taken away the Sabbath covering, the Sabbaths of God's Holy days?  Do we offer "sacrifices" on the altars of paganism?  Do we shut away the Word of the Lord and follow after other gods in other places?  Do we have our own "high places"?

 

Contrast the corruptions of King Ahaz to his son Hezekiah. Hezekiah removed the high places, smashed the sacred stones, and cut down the Asherah poles. He broke into pieces Moses’ bronze snake because the Israelites were worshiping the object instead of worshiping God. Hezekiah held fast to the Lord and did not cease to follow the command the Lord had given Moses. The result? The Lord was with him; he was successful in whatever he undertook.

 

Any applications for us?  What might happen if we removed our "high places", smashed our "sacred stones" and cut down our "Asherah poles"?   If we would remove, smash, and cut down everything in our lives that pulls us away from God and follow His commands, would the Lord be with us?  Would we be successful?  Worth a try, wouldn't you say???