Isaiah 29:1-24
Q.1. Who was Ariel? What were Judah’s ceremonies worth? What would happen to Judah and her enemies? What is meant by the sealed prophecies? How had the nation insulted God? – (Isa.29:1-16)
Ariel was a name given to Jerusalem. It means Lion of God – the city where David once camped (Isa.29:1). Judah’s religious practices and ceremonies had become insincere and therefore useless, regardless of how many were observed, and for how long. God would punish the nation – I will bring distress to Ariel, And she will be a city of lamenting and mourning; And she will be like an Ariel to me (Isa.29:2 c.f. Isa.29:1-4). The true Lion of Judah would attack the “Lion of God” and destroy her. However, the Lord of the countless hosts of Heaven’s armies also would bring a consuming fire against the nations that were used to punish Ariel – … Thus the multitude of all the nations will be who wage war against Mount Zion (Isa.29:8 c.f. Isa.29:5-8). If people tamper with God’s Word, and ignore what it is saying, this makes it sealed and indecipherable to them – 10 For the Lord has poured over you a spirit of deep sleep, He has shut your eyes, the prophets; And He has covered your heads, the seers. 11 The entire vision will be to you like the words of a sealed book … (Isa.29:10-11 c.f. Isa.29:9-12; Mt.12:22-31 & 32). Judah pretended to honour God, but God saw through what they were doing – this people draw near with their words and honour Me with their lip service, but they remove their hearts far from Me, and their reverence for Me consists of tradition learned by rote (Isa.29:13 c.f. Mt.15:8-9). He saw their concealed plans to take advantage of the defenceless, so He miraculously hid the Truth from their seers and prophets (Isa.29:10 & 14). He was insulted by their maligning of the Truth – You turn things around! Shall the potter be considered as equal with the clay, that what is made would say to its maker, “He did not make me”; Or what is formed say to Him who formed it, “He has no understanding”? (Isa.29:16). There are none so blind as those that will not see.
Q.2. Was this the end for Israel? What blessing did Isaiah foretell? Through what agency would this transformation come? How will God be glorified by Israel? – (Isa.29:17-24)
With such looming judgment, would Israel survive? Not only would Israel survive, but many others beside. Isaiah foresaw fruitfulness for Lebanon (Isa.29:17). How will it come about? Through the glorious Gospel – 18 On that day the deaf will hear words of a book, and out of their gloom and darkness the eyes of the blind will see. 19 The afflicted also will increase their gladness in the Lord, and the needy of mankind will rejoice in the Holy One of Israel (Isa.29:18-19 c.f. Mt.11:5; 21:31; 24:14). At this point in the nation’s history, it may have seemed that God’s promise to Abraham to make him into a great nation may not be fulfilled (Isa.29:22 c.f. Gen.12:2; 15:4-5; 22:17). God then declared – 23 But when Abraham sees his children, the work of My hands, in his midst, they will sanctify My name; Indeed, they will sanctify the Holy One of Jacob and will stand in awe of the God of Israel. 24 “Those who err in mind will know the truth, and those who criticize will accept instruction (Isa.29:23-24). What an unexpected and amazing turn-around that will be.