Isaiah 29

This message of woe is related to the previous one in that, first, it is against Jerusalem (Ariel is a name for Jerusalem meaning Lion of God), and second, it is concerned with the people not receiving the word of the LORD.

The use of the name Ariel may be because it was a name used in Isaiah’s day.  It might have been coined so as to emphasize the greatness and glory of the City.  Apparently things were going along smoothly (add year to year, let feasts come around).  But the warning is that things will change eventually (v2-4).  It is a fearful thing when God says, I will encamp against you all around.  He expands on this by saying that when Jerusalem’s day of reckoning comes she will face many terrible enemies, each with an insatiable appetite for afflicting Ariel (v5-8).

What is the problem that causes this word from the LORD?  If that question was asked of Isaiah his response is, Pause and wonder (v9).  In other words, think about it.  Israel is blind.  But the law of the harvest (what you sow, you reap) conclusion is: Blind yourselves and be blind.  In other words, because they had shut their eyes to God’s word, God additionally put them in such a deep sleep that they could not hear (v10).  It’s as if God’s words are in a book that is sealed up to them.  A literate man can’t read it because it’s sealed; an illiterate man can’t read it because he’s illiterate.  

The conclusion is, then, that since the people in Isaiah’s day drew near to God in pretext but not in truth, therefore God is going to do a mighty work in their midst.  He is going to confound their wise men; they will not understand what God is doing (v13-14).  Thus woe is pronounced on those who stand against God (v15-16).  What a silly thought, that the pot tells the potter what to do!

Before we move on we should note how important this passage is in the NT.  Paul quoted v10 in Rom. 11:8; Jesus quoted v13 in Matt. 15:8-9; and Paul quoted v14 in 1 Cor. 1:19.  If you check each of these you will find that they used the quotes in the perfect context that fit with Isaiah’s use.  In each case it is used in connection with Israel’s blindness and rejection of Christ (although Paul expands v14 to apply to the wisdom of the Greeks).

But now we are confronted with another in that day.  In hope God promised that the day is coming when His people will understand His wisdom (v17-21).  As sure as fruitfulness will come to the land of Lebanon, so God will cause His people, even the deaf and blind, to understand His word.  This is a promise of the New Covenant (see Jer. 31:31-33).  They will know and rejoice in the LORD.  And thus God will be seen to have kept His word to Abraham, giving him descendants that hallow God (v22-24).

What a day that will be!  The LORD will receive the worship due His name.  Oh that He might find in us a heart that is right.  Let us not be those who draw near to God with our lips but are far removed from Him in our hearts.