BACKGROUND
This is the second of six “woes.” This one was directed toward Jerusalem and Judah. Its purpose was to get the nation to return to God. They would not be swept away by the Assyrians like the northern kingdom, but their judgment would be severe.
“Ariel” refers to Jerusalem and can mean “lion of God” perhaps referring to it being a strong, lion-like city. It can also mean “altar hearth” (see Isaiah 29:2; Ezekiel 43:15-16) which might refer to it being the place where burnt offerings were made to the Lord. The city would eventually become a virtual altar hearth as God’s judgment descended on them.
Historically, the Assyrians under Sennacherib surrounded Jerusalem in 701 B.C., but it was not taken. This deliverance from Assyria is recorded in Isaiah 37. Jerusalem was spared by God’s sovereign intervention. There are also eschatological (end times) allusions here as nations will attack Jerusalem (Zechariah 14:1-3), but the Lord will come and destroy them.
God’s intervention did not turn them back to Himself. People went through the motions and rituals, but their hearts were far from God, and He saw it all. Yet, in the future, Isaiah prophesies of a time when they would be different. The passage in 29:17-24 is thought by some to refer to the future under Christ’s millennial (1000 year) reign. In that time, there will be no more wars or violence but total safety. It will be characterized by worship of the Lord and acknowledgment of His holiness and understanding.
There is no REFLECTION or APPLICATION. This is a "Keep Reading" day! Blessings!
PRAYER
Lord, You want our hearts and not our religious motions. Please keep our hearts close to Yours, mindful when we go into mindless ritual. I ask this in Jesus' name. Amen.
1 comment:
I just had a time of listening. I don't want to be automated in this walk with God. He wants to be there in our day-to-day life. We are not robots. We are connected to a relational God.
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