Woe Against Jerusalem

Isaiah 29:1–12
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This chapter is the beginning of what some Bible scholars refer to as “Isaiah’s apocalypse.” The next four chapters discuss God’s judgment on the entire world for its sin. Isaiah’s prophecies were first directed to Judah, then to Israel, then to the surrounding nations and finally to the whole world. It starts off with a pronouncement of “Woe” on “Ariel” which is a code name for Jerusalem. Jerusalem’s worship had become a meaningless and heartless formality. God promised to bring the judgment of fire on Jerusalem (vv. 1-8). Even though this had been a city where festivals had honored God (v. 1), it would be over run with fighting and bloodshed. God would bring judgment upon Jerusalem through the simultaneous invasions of Assyria and Babylon. In other words, God was to take this city which had been a place of pride and joy and turn it into a place of sacrifice.

The insensitivity of the people was in itself a judgment from God. The Lord caused a blindness to come over them (v. 10). The fact that the prophets and leaders did not see and understand what God was doing was a part of God’s judgment. The prophet announces that this is all like a bad dream that shall come upon the people of Israel. He likens this to a man who is dreaming of eating or drinking only to awaken hungry and thirsty (vv 9-12). They are drunken with their own self-indulgence which has caused them not to hear the message of God.

Application

Today we see the results of sin in our own land. Lord help me to see sin in my own life and be willing to deal with it so I can experience your blessing as I share your Word with others.