Bible Commentaries
Isaiah 29

Verses 1-4

ISAIAH - CHAPTER 29

A NECESSARY DISCIPLINE

Vs. 1-4: ZION TO BE BROUGHT LOW BY HER ENEMIES

1. "Ariel" is Jerusalem "the city of David" (2 Samuel 5:7; 2 Samuel 5:9; 1 Kings 2:10; 1 Kings 3:1), and appears to mean "the hearth of God" (Ezekiel 43:15-16 R.V.) - though most regard it more poetically as "lion of God"; it is both His dwelling-place (Psalms 76:2) and altar (Isaiah 31:9).

a. Here the altar-fires were kept burning continually- ritualistic sacrifices offered year-to-year - though the hearts of the people were not in them, (vs. 9, 13; Isaiah 1:14; Isaiah 5:12).

b. In her distress Jerusalem will be as an altar (Ariel) unto God -covered with the blood of her own citizens, (vs. 2, Isaiah 3:26; La 2:5).

2. The Lord pictures Himself as encamped round about Jerusalem - laying siege and raising forts against her, (vs. 3).

a. This will soon come through the instrumentality of Sennacherib; again under Nebuchadnezzar and Titus.

b. But, the ultimate fulfillment awaits a siege that threatens annihilation just prior to the second coming of our Lord, (Luke 19:43-44; comp. Zechariah 14).

3. The city will be reduced to utter helplessness - so weakened that her voice is represented as whispering out of the dust, (vs. 4).

Verses 5-8

Vs. 5-8: THE HOSTILE PURPOSE OF THE ENEMY TO BE FRUSTRATED

1. In Judah’s hour of extremity the Lord will again prove Himself to be her hope and help - driving her enemies, as small dust; the terrible oppressors, as chaff, before Him, (vs. 5; 17:13; vs. 20; Isaiah 13:11; Isaiah 25:3-5; Isaiah 49:25).

2. The routing of the enemy will be "at an instant, suddenly", (cf. Isaiah 17:14; Isaiah 47:11).

3. The voice of the Lord speaks through: thunder, earthquake, noise, storm, tempest and "the flame of devouring fire", (vs. 6; comp. Psalms 29; Exodus 9:23; Exodus 9:29; Exodus 9:33; Exodus 19:16-20; Exodus 20:18-19; 1 Samuel 7:10; 1 Samuel 12:15-18; 2 Samuel 22:14-15; Psalms 18:13-14; Revelation 11:13; Revelation 11:19; Revelation 16:18).

4. Because Jehovah is faithful, the purpose of the enemy will be thwarted, (vs. 7-8; Micah 4:11-12).

a. Jerusalem will, henceforth, look back upon their threatenings as a bad dream that did not come true, (cs. 7; Isaiah 17:14).

b. And the enemy is likened to a dreamer who, hungry and thirsty, feasts upon all sorts of delicacies and drinks his fill; yet, when he awakens, he is empty and faint.

c. This is the lot of all those nations that fight against Jerusalem, (Zechariah 12:9; Isaiah 54:17).

Verses 9-16

Vs. 9-16: THE CAUSE OF JUDGMENT UPON JERUSALEM

1. If they receive Isaiah’s prophecy with amazed incredulity, they will surely be astounded by the event itself, (vs. 9).

2. They must not deceive themselves any longer about their spiritual wickedness; they are blind only because they REFUSE TO SEE! (Matthew 13:15; Acts 28:26-28).

3. But, since they have chosen darkness, God will give them their fill of it!

a. He has poured upon them a spirit of deep sleep, (vs. 10; Isaiah 6:9-10; Romans 11:7-10; 2 Thessalonians 2:9-12) shutting the eyes of their prophets, (Micah 3:5-6), and covering the heads of their seers, (Micah 3:7).

b. Thus, the vision (the word of the Lord) became unto all of them as a sealed book which none could understand, (vs. 11-12; Isaiah 8:16; Daniel 12:4; Daniel 12:9).

4. So addicted were these hypocrites to their formalistic, heartless "precepts of men"; that they Were beyond the reach of help until brought to see their spiritual bankruptcy - an impossibility apart from God’s "marvelous work" of judgment, (vs. 13; Isaiah 65:7; Hosea 1:5-6).

5. Therefore, the wisdom and understanding of their wise men perished, (vs. 14; comp. Isaiah 44:24-25; Jeremiah 8:8-9; 1 Corinthians 1:18-25; Proverbs 1:20-33; Romans 1:18-32).

6. A special "woe" is upon the presumptuous perverseness of these god-players who turn things upside down - imagining that their secret plans to lean on Egypt for support are hidden from God’s view, (vs. 15-16; comp. Isaiah 28:15; Isaiah 45:9; Isaiah 47:10; Isaiah 57:11-13; Ezekiel 8:12; Jeremiah 8:4-7; Romans 9:19-21).

Verses 17-24

Vs. 17-24: AN ULTIMATE RESTORATION IS ASSURED

1. The prophet forsees the curse lifted and the land restored to fruitfullness, (vs. 17; comp. Amos 9:13; Ezekiel 34:26-27; Joel 3:18; Hosea 2:21-23; Zechariah 8:12; Ezekiel 36:8; Ezekiel 36:29-30; Ezekiel 36:35).

2. That will be a day of blessedness for all, (vs. 18-19; Isaiah 35:1-9; Isaiah 60:13-17) wherein:

a. Hearing is restored to the deaf, (Isaiah 35:5-6; Isaiah 42:6-7).

b. Sight is restored to the blind, (Isaiah 32:3; Proverbs 20:12; Psalms 119:18).

c. The meek and poor are made to rejoice in Jehovah, the Holy One of Israel, (Isaiah 11:4; Isaiah 61:1; Matthew 5:5; Matthew 11:29; Isaiah 14:32; Isaiah 25:4; Matthew 11:1-6; James 2:5).

3. The enemies of the righteous will be utterly cut off in that day, (vs. 20-21; vs. 5; Isaiah 28:14; Isaiah 10:1-2; Amos 5:10-12; Isaiah 32:7) - the ultimate "terrible one" being Anti-christ "the man of sin and son of perdition" himself, (2 Thessalonians 2:3-8; Isaiah 11:4; Revelation 2:16; Revelation 19:15).

4. Thus, the Redeemer of Abraham (Isaiah 41:8; Isaiah 51:2) declares that Jacob shall not be ashamed or afraid in the final day of God’s wrath, (vs. 22).

5. Rather, He will sanctify the Holy one of Jacob (Isaiah 5:16; Isaiah 8:13), and stand in awe of the God of Israel, when he sees his children (both natural and spiritual) standing in his midst - all of them the work of the Lord’s hands, (Isaiah 49:14-23; Isaiah 60:4; Romans 11:5-7; Romans 11:11-26).

6. Those who once "erred in spirit" (manifesting a haughty and rebellious attitude) will then understand; those who formerly murmured will receive instruction with joyfullness - the days of their rebellion will be over, (vs. 24; 2 Corinthians 7:2).