Woe to Ariel, to Ariel, the city where David dwelt! add ye year to year; let them kill sacrifices.
Yet I will distress Ariel, and there shall be heaviness and sorrow: and it shall be unto me as Ariel.
And I will camp against thee round about, and will lay siege against thee with a mount, and I will raise forts against thee.
And thou shalt be brought down, and shalt speak out of the ground, and thy speech shall be low out of the dust, and thy voice shall be, as of one that hath a familiar spirit, out of the ground, and thy speech shall whisper out of the dust.
Moreover the multitude of thy strangers shall be like small dust, and the multitude of the terrible ones shall be as chaff that passeth away: yea, it shall be at an instant suddenly.
Thou shalt be visited of the Lord of hosts with thunder, and with earthquake, and great noise, with storm and tempest, and the flame of devouring fire.
And the multitude of all the nations that fight against Ariel, even all that fight against her and her munition, and that distress her, shall be as a dream of a night vision.
It shall even be as when an hungry man dreameth, and, behold, he eateth; but he awaketh, and his soul is empty: or as when a thirsty man dreameth, and, behold, he drinketh; but he awaketh, and, behold, he is faint, and his soul hath appetite: so shall the multitude of all the nations be, that fight against mount Zion.
Stay yourselves, and wonder; cry ye out, and cry: they are drunken, but not with wine; they stagger, but not with strong drink.
For the Lord hath poured out upon you the spirit of deep sleep, and hath closed your eyes: the prophets and your rulers, the seers hath he covered.
And the vision of all is become unto you as the words of a book that is sealed, which men deliver to one that is learned, saying, Read this, I pray thee: and he saith, I cannot; for it is sealed:
And the book is delivered to him that is not learned, saying, Read this, I pray thee: and he saith, I am not learned.
Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men:
Therefore, behold, I will proceed to do a marvellous work among this people, even a marvellous work and a wonder: for the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, and the understanding of their prudent men shall be hid.
Woe unto them that seek deep to hide their counsel from the Lord, and their works are in the dark, and they say, Who seeth us? and who knoweth us?
Surely your turning of things upside down shall be esteemed as the potter’s clay: for shall the work say of him that made it, He made me not? or shall the thing framed say of him that framed it, He had no understanding?
Is it not yet a very little while, and Lebanon shall be turned into a fruitful field, and the fruitful field shall be esteemed as a forest?
And in that day shall the deaf hear the words of the book, and the eyes of the blind shall see out of obscurity, and out of darkness.
The meek also shall increase their joy in the Lord, and the poor among men shall rejoice in the Holy One of Israel.
For the terrible one is brought to nought, and the scorner is consumed, and all that watch for iniquity are cut off:
That make a man an offender for a word, and lay a snare for him that reproveth in the gate, and turn aside the just for a thing of nought.
Therefore thus saith the Lord, who redeemed Abraham, concerning the house of Jacob, Jacob shall not now be ashamed, neither shall his face now wax pale.
But when he seeth his children, the work of mine hands, in the midst of him, they shall sanctify my name, and sanctify the Holy One of Jacob, and shall fear the God of Israel.
They also that erred in spirit shall come to understanding, and they that murmured shall learn doctrine.
Isaiah 29, a pivotal chapter in the book of Isaiah, presents a complex tapestry of themes: impending judgment, spiritual blindness, the futility of insincere worship, and a glorious future restoration. It speaks to the immediate circumstances of Judah facing the threat of Assyrian invasion while simultaneously casting a prophetic gaze towards the distant kingdom age. Understanding this chapter requires careful attention to its interwoven layers of meaning.
The Siege of Ariel (Isaiah 29:1-4)
The chapter opens with a lament for "Ariel," another name for Jerusalem, the city where David once encamped. The Assyrian army, though preoccupied with the northern kingdom, had set its sights on Judah. Sennacherib's forces marched towards Jerusalem, laying siege to the city (Isaiah 29:1). The siege represented a time of intense pressure and vulnerability for Judah. Yet, this was not Judah’s ultimate moment of reckoning. God, in His sovereign plan, would intervene to deliver them from the Assyrian threat. However, even in deliverance, Judah's pride would be humbled (Isaiah 29:2-4).
Deliverance and a Glimpse of the Future (Isaiah 29:5-8)
These verses depict the nation's deliverance from its enemies. Isaiah speaks of a massive attack against Ariel (Jerusalem) by many nations, whom the Lord would defeat with a spectacular display of his power (Isaiah 29:5-7). While this deliverance has roots in the historical context of Assyria's assault on Jerusalem, the scale and imagery suggest a prophetic reach beyond Isaiah's time, possibly hinting at end-times events. God's prophetic word often blends immediate realities with distant future fulfillments.
Spiritual Blindness and Deafness (Isaiah 29:9-12)
Despite God's miraculous rescue, the people of Judah quickly reverted to their spiritually insensitive state. Isaiah 29:9-12 illustrates a recurring principle throughout Scripture: spiritual receptivity and blindness. When people deliberately close their ears and eyes to God's Word, rejecting His guidance, God may confirm their rebellious choice by sending them blindness and deafness. Pharaoh's hardened heart serves as a stark example: he hardened his own heart (Exodus 7:22; 8:15, 32), and then God hardened it further (Exodus 9:12). Similarly, the people of Judah blinded themselves, and God, in turn, covered the eyes of the prophets and seers (Isaiah 29:10). The message of God became like a sealed book, inaccessible to those unwilling to seek understanding (Isaiah 29:11). This mirrors Jesus' teaching, where He veiled spiritual truth from those who had already chosen to reject Him.
The Futility of Lip Service (Isaiah 29:13)
Judah continued to perform the outward acts of worship, but their hearts were far from God. God declares the futility of their worship: "These people approach me with their speeches to honor me with lip-service—yet their hearts are far from me" (Isaiah 29:13). True prayer and praise must originate from a heart genuinely devoted to God. Mere words are insufficient. This condemnation would later be echoed by Jesus concerning the Jewish religious leaders of His time (Matthew 15:7-9).
The Illusion of Secrecy (Isaiah 29:14-16)
The people of Judah not only engaged in insincere worship but also deluded themselves into thinking they could hide their evil deeds from God: "Who sees us? Who knows?" (Isaiah 29:15). Trying to hide from God is an exercise in futility. God sees all and knows all.
A Future of Restoration and Justice (Isaiah 29:17-21)
Looking ahead, Isaiah prophesies a time when the spiritual blindness of God's people will be reversed. These verses point to the kingdom age, a time that, from God's perspective, is just "a little while" away (Isaiah 29:17). In this future kingdom, when Jesus Christ reigns in righteous glory, the deaf will hear, and the eyes of the blind will see (Isaiah 29:18). God's kingdom will be characterized by complete justice for the humble and the poor, who will no longer be oppressed (Isaiah 29:19). The joys of the kingdom will teach God's people about His faithfulness, leading them to worship Him with pure hearts.
Isaiah's emphasis on justice in the millennial kingdom highlights a critical aspect of God's righteous administration. While perfect justice awaits the full manifestation of God's kingdom on earth, believers are called to pursue justice today, living out God's kingdom agenda in the present. Biblical justice, rooted in God's moral law, promotes freedom through accountability, equality, and responsibility. It is not a human-made system but rather the equitable and impartial application of God's unchanging standard in society.
Each sphere of God's kingdom – individual, family, church, and state – is called to promote justice and responsibility under God. God's Word serves as the guiding light, reflecting truth and righteousness in all our actions. While the fullness of God's justice will be revealed in the kingdom to come, we are called to reflect His justice in our lives and communities today.
Isaiah 29 calls us to examine our own hearts, ensuring that our worship is genuine and our actions are aligned with God's will. It reminds us of the consequences of spiritual blindness and the glorious hope of future restoration and justice that awaits those who seek Him with a sincere heart. This chapter, rich in prophetic insight and practical application, offers a timeless message of warning and hope for all who seek to understand God's ways.
Woe to Ariel, to Ariel, the city where David dwelt! add ye year to year; let them kill sacrifices.
Yet I will distress Ariel, and there shall be heaviness and sorrow: and it shall be unto me as Ariel.
And I will camp against thee round about, and will lay siege against thee with a mount, and I will raise forts against thee.
And thou shalt be brought down, and shalt speak out of the ground, and thy speech shall be low out of the dust, and thy voice shall be, as of one that hath a familiar spirit, out of the ground, and thy speech shall whisper out of the dust.
Moreover the multitude of thy strangers shall be like small dust, and the multitude of the terrible ones shall be as chaff that passeth away: yea, it shall be at an instant suddenly.
Thou shalt be visited of the Lord of hosts with thunder, and with earthquake, and great noise, with storm and tempest, and the flame of devouring fire.
And the multitude of all the nations that fight against Ariel, even all that fight against her and her munition, and that distress her, shall be as a dream of a night vision.
It shall even be as when an hungry man dreameth, and, behold, he eateth; but he awaketh, and his soul is empty: or as when a thirsty man dreameth, and, behold, he drinketh; but he awaketh, and, behold, he is faint, and his soul hath appetite: so shall the multitude of all the nations be, that fight against mount Zion.
Stay yourselves, and wonder; cry ye out, and cry: they are drunken, but not with wine; they stagger, but not with strong drink.
For the Lord hath poured out upon you the spirit of deep sleep, and hath closed your eyes: the prophets and your rulers, the seers hath he covered.
And the vision of all is become unto you as the words of a book that is sealed, which men deliver to one that is learned, saying, Read this, I pray thee: and he saith, I cannot; for it is sealed:
And the book is delivered to him that is not learned, saying, Read this, I pray thee: and he saith, I am not learned.
Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men:
Therefore, behold, I will proceed to do a marvellous work among this people, even a marvellous work and a wonder: for the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, and the understanding of their prudent men shall be hid.
Woe unto them that seek deep to hide their counsel from the Lord, and their works are in the dark, and they say, Who seeth us? and who knoweth us?
Surely your turning of things upside down shall be esteemed as the potter’s clay: for shall the work say of him that made it, He made me not? or shall the thing framed say of him that framed it, He had no understanding?
Is it not yet a very little while, and Lebanon shall be turned into a fruitful field, and the fruitful field shall be esteemed as a forest?
And in that day shall the deaf hear the words of the book, and the eyes of the blind shall see out of obscurity, and out of darkness.
The meek also shall increase their joy in the Lord, and the poor among men shall rejoice in the Holy One of Israel.
For the terrible one is brought to nought, and the scorner is consumed, and all that watch for iniquity are cut off:
That make a man an offender for a word, and lay a snare for him that reproveth in the gate, and turn aside the just for a thing of nought.
Therefore thus saith the Lord, who redeemed Abraham, concerning the house of Jacob, Jacob shall not now be ashamed, neither shall his face now wax pale.
But when he seeth his children, the work of mine hands, in the midst of him, they shall sanctify my name, and sanctify the Holy One of Jacob, and shall fear the God of Israel.
They also that erred in spirit shall come to understanding, and they that murmured shall learn doctrine.
Isaiah 29, a pivotal chapter in the book of Isaiah, presents a complex tapestry of themes: impending judgment, spiritual blindness, the futility of insincere worship, and a glorious future restoration. It speaks to the immediate circumstances of Judah facing the threat of Assyrian invasion while simultaneously casting a prophetic gaze towards the distant kingdom age. Understanding this chapter requires careful attention to its interwoven layers of meaning.
The Siege of Ariel (Isaiah 29:1-4)
The chapter opens with a lament for "Ariel," another name for Jerusalem, the city where David once encamped. The Assyrian army, though preoccupied with the northern kingdom, had set its sights on Judah. Sennacherib's forces marched towards Jerusalem, laying siege to the city (Isaiah 29:1). The siege represented a time of intense pressure and vulnerability for Judah. Yet, this was not Judah’s ultimate moment of reckoning. God, in His sovereign plan, would intervene to deliver them from the Assyrian threat. However, even in deliverance, Judah's pride would be humbled (Isaiah 29:2-4).
Deliverance and a Glimpse of the Future (Isaiah 29:5-8)
These verses depict the nation's deliverance from its enemies. Isaiah speaks of a massive attack against Ariel (Jerusalem) by many nations, whom the Lord would defeat with a spectacular display of his power (Isaiah 29:5-7). While this deliverance has roots in the historical context of Assyria's assault on Jerusalem, the scale and imagery suggest a prophetic reach beyond Isaiah's time, possibly hinting at end-times events. God's prophetic word often blends immediate realities with distant future fulfillments.
Spiritual Blindness and Deafness (Isaiah 29:9-12)
Despite God's miraculous rescue, the people of Judah quickly reverted to their spiritually insensitive state. Isaiah 29:9-12 illustrates a recurring principle throughout Scripture: spiritual receptivity and blindness. When people deliberately close their ears and eyes to God's Word, rejecting His guidance, God may confirm their rebellious choice by sending them blindness and deafness. Pharaoh's hardened heart serves as a stark example: he hardened his own heart (Exodus 7:22; 8:15, 32), and then God hardened it further (Exodus 9:12). Similarly, the people of Judah blinded themselves, and God, in turn, covered the eyes of the prophets and seers (Isaiah 29:10). The message of God became like a sealed book, inaccessible to those unwilling to seek understanding (Isaiah 29:11). This mirrors Jesus' teaching, where He veiled spiritual truth from those who had already chosen to reject Him.
The Futility of Lip Service (Isaiah 29:13)
Judah continued to perform the outward acts of worship, but their hearts were far from God. God declares the futility of their worship: "These people approach me with their speeches to honor me with lip-service—yet their hearts are far from me" (Isaiah 29:13). True prayer and praise must originate from a heart genuinely devoted to God. Mere words are insufficient. This condemnation would later be echoed by Jesus concerning the Jewish religious leaders of His time (Matthew 15:7-9).
The Illusion of Secrecy (Isaiah 29:14-16)
The people of Judah not only engaged in insincere worship but also deluded themselves into thinking they could hide their evil deeds from God: "Who sees us? Who knows?" (Isaiah 29:15). Trying to hide from God is an exercise in futility. God sees all and knows all.
A Future of Restoration and Justice (Isaiah 29:17-21)
Looking ahead, Isaiah prophesies a time when the spiritual blindness of God's people will be reversed. These verses point to the kingdom age, a time that, from God's perspective, is just "a little while" away (Isaiah 29:17). In this future kingdom, when Jesus Christ reigns in righteous glory, the deaf will hear, and the eyes of the blind will see (Isaiah 29:18). God's kingdom will be characterized by complete justice for the humble and the poor, who will no longer be oppressed (Isaiah 29:19). The joys of the kingdom will teach God's people about His faithfulness, leading them to worship Him with pure hearts.
Isaiah's emphasis on justice in the millennial kingdom highlights a critical aspect of God's righteous administration. While perfect justice awaits the full manifestation of God's kingdom on earth, believers are called to pursue justice today, living out God's kingdom agenda in the present. Biblical justice, rooted in God's moral law, promotes freedom through accountability, equality, and responsibility. It is not a human-made system but rather the equitable and impartial application of God's unchanging standard in society.
Each sphere of God's kingdom – individual, family, church, and state – is called to promote justice and responsibility under God. God's Word serves as the guiding light, reflecting truth and righteousness in all our actions. While the fullness of God's justice will be revealed in the kingdom to come, we are called to reflect His justice in our lives and communities today.
Isaiah 29 calls us to examine our own hearts, ensuring that our worship is genuine and our actions are aligned with God's will. It reminds us of the consequences of spiritual blindness and the glorious hope of future restoration and justice that awaits those who seek Him with a sincere heart. This chapter, rich in prophetic insight and practical application, offers a timeless message of warning and hope for all who seek to understand God's ways.