The Siege of Jerusalem

The Siege of Jerusalem

Woe to Ariel, to Ariel, the city where David dwelt! add ye year to year; let them kill sacrifices. Isa. 29:1

Woe to Jerusalem

Woe to Ariel... The 31st prophecy in Isaiah (Isa. 29:1-24: Isa. 29:9-16 fulfilled; 29:1-8 and Isa. 29:17-24 unfulfilled). Next, Isa. 30:1.

Five Predictions—Fulfilled:

1. Judah will be full of error and all classes will reel in darkness like a drunk man (Isa. 29:9).

2. Jehovah will pour out upon Judah the spirit of blindness, stupidity, and ignorance of His revelation (Isa. 29:10-12).

3. Judah will become a nation of hypocrites, offering God only lip service with the heart far from Him (Isa. 29:13).

4. I will do a marvelous and wonderful work in Judah that shall defeat the wisdom of the wise and the understanding of the prudent (Isa. 29:14).

5. Judah shall seek to hide their sinful ways from God by outward profession of righteousness (Isa. 29:15-16).

Twelve Predictions—Unfulfilled:

1. Woe will come to Jerusalem regardless of its many sacrifices to God (Isa. 29:1).

2. I will distress Jerusalem and there shall be heaviness and sorrow in the city where David dwelt (Isa. 29:1-2).

3. I will camp against the city round about, lay siege against it, and raise up forts against it (Isa. 29:3).

4. Jerusalem will be brought down so low as to speak out of the dust, and her voice will be as one who has a familiar spirit who peeps and mutters out of the ground (Isa. 29:4; Isa. 8:19-20).

5. The multitude of strangers surrounding the city shall be like fine dust and as chaff that passes away (Isa. 29:5).

6. I will send thunder and devouring fire to destroy the armies surrounding Jerusalem, and they shall pass away like a dream of the night (Isa. 29:6-8).

7. Lebanon will be turned into a fruitful field, and it will become like a forest (Isa. 29:17).

8. In that day—when Jerusalem is delivered, Lebanon becomes fruitful, and the Millennium begins—the deaf will hear, the blind will see, and the meek and poor will be blessed by God (Isa. 29:18-19).

9. The terrible one (the Antichrist, leader of all the armies surrounding Jerusalem) will be brought to nought; the scorner will be consumed, and the wicked will be cut off (Isa. 29:20).

10. Those that seek to cause men to sin and rebel will be cut off (Isa. 29:21).

11. Jacob (all Israel) will not then be ashamed or have paleness (Isa. 29:22).

12. Israel will sanctify My name and fear Me; all that have erred in spirit shall come to understanding; and all that have murmured shall learn doctrine (Isa. 29:23-24).

to Ariel... Ariel, the lion of God—another name for Jerusalem where David dwelled (Isa. 29:1-7). In which then the city is seen as a strong, lionlike city. Ariel may also be translated “altar hearth,” as in Isa. 29:2; Eze. 43:15-16. Jerusalem is the place where the altar of burnt offering was located in the temple.

add ye year... Let years go by and sacrifices be killed, yet this won’t cancel the judgment that is determined upon Jerusalem.

Yet I will distress Ariel, and there shall be heaviness and sorrow: and it shall be unto me as Ariel. Isa. 29:2

it shall be... Jerusalem will yet be unto Me as Ariel, the lion of God.

And I will camp against thee round about, and will lay siege against thee with a mount, and I will raise forts against thee. Isa. 29:3

And I will... This refers to the siege of Jerusalem at Armageddon (Isa. 29:2-4; Zec. 14:1-21). A latter-day fulfillment is clear from the fact that the invaders would destroy by thunder, earthquake, great noise, storm, tempest, and devouring fire (Isa. 29:5-6). This did not happen with Assyria’s siege (Isaiah 36:1-37:38), or when Babylon (2Ki. 25:1-30) and Rome destroyed the city (Luke 21:20-24). It is definitely stated in Eze. 38:17-23 that the Lord will destroy Antichrist’s armies at Armageddon with a great earthquake, pestilence, blood, overflowing rain, great hailstones, fire, and brimstone. In 2Th. 1:7-10 flaming fire is mentioned as destroying the wicked at this time; and Rev. 16:17-21 refers to a great earthquake destroying many at the same time. There is no time in history or in prophecy that Isa. 29:5-6 has been or will be fulfilled other than at Armageddon.

And thou shalt be brought down, and shalt speak out of the ground, and thy speech shall be low out of the dust, and thy voice shall be, as of one that hath a familiar spirit, out of the ground, and thy speech shall whisper out of the dust. Isa. 29:4

thou shalt be... At Armageddon, and even 1,260 days before this, Jerusalem will be taken over by Antichrist, and Israel will be brought low in the dust of defeat as predicted here (Dan. 9:27; Mat. 24:15-22; 2Th. 2:1-4; Rev. 12:13).

shall speak out... Speaking Out of the Ground:

Speaking "out of the ground" and "low out of the dust" is not a prediction of a new Bible, or a new revelation from God as is sometimes taught. It simply expresses Israel’s complete defeat. "Out of the dust" is often used of utter defeat or humiliation (1Sa. 2:8; 1Ki. 16:2; Psm. 13:1-6 :7). "Brought down to the dust" is an idiom for defeat and complete subjugation (Isa. 2:10; 25:12; 26:5; 49:23; 2Sa. 22:41-43; 2Ki. 13:7; Job. 16:15; Psm. 44:25; 72:9; Nah. 3:18). Here it was Jerusalem and Judah that would be defeated and brought down to lick the dust in humility. In Isa. 29:5 it was predicted that the multitude of strangers would also be brought down to the dust after Israel’s experience in the dust. Judah was to become so low and defeated that the people would be confused and act strangely, like a witch with a familiar spirit (Isa. 8:19-20). In Isa. 52:2 Judah was commanded to "shake thyself" from the dust, which means that the Jews will be exalted after the defeat in the dust.

Moreover the multitude of thy strangers shall be like small dust, and the multitude of the terrible ones shall be as chaff that passeth away: yea, it shall be at an instant suddenly. Isa. 29:5

be as chaff... Five similes of Gentile defeat:

1. Like small dust.

2. As chaff that passes away (Isa. 29:5).

3. As a dream of the night vision (Isa. 29:7).

4. As when a hungry man dreams that he eats, but when he awakes he is empty (Isa. 29:8).

5. As when a thirsty man dreams that he drinks, but when he awakes he is still thirsty.

Thou shalt be visited of the LORD of hosts with thunder, and with earthquake, and great noise, with storm and tempest, and the flame of devouring fire. Isa. 29:6

shalt be visited... Six things will destroy Gentiles: thunder; earthquake; great noise; storm; tempest; and flame of devouring fire.

And the multitude of all the nations that fight against Ariel, even all that fight against her and her munition, and that distress her, shall be as a dream of a night vision. Isa. 29:7

And the... At the end of the Tribulation when nations (Isa. 29:7-8) will attack Jerusalem (Zec. 14:1-3), the Lord Almighty will come and destroy each attacking nation. The threat of those nations will vanish like a dream.

It shall even be as when an hungry man dreameth, and, behold, he eateth; but he awaketh, and his soul is empty: or as when a thirsty man dreameth, and, behold, he drinketh; but he awaketh, and, behold, he is faint, and his soul hath appetite: so shall the multitude of all the nations be, that fight against mount Zion. Isa. 29:8

so shall the... All armies of the nations that come against Jerusalem will be destroyed when Christ comes to take over the kingdoms of this world, except a sixth part of them (Isa. 63:1-5; Eze. 39:2; Joel 3:1-21; Zec. 14:1-21; 2Th. 1:7-10; Jude 1:14-15; Rev. 11:15; 19:11-21).

Stay yourselves, and wonder; cry ye out, and cry: they are drunken, but not with wine; they stagger, but not with strong drink. Isa. 29:9

Stay yourselves... Isa. 29:9-16 give the causes for the destruction of Judah and Jerusalem described in Isa. 29:1-8. The picture here is one of hysteria, bewilderment, and extreme distress over the calamity about to befall them for their sins. This portion has to do with their more immediate troubles through sin that would eventually lead to final judgment which would bring them to repentance under their Messiah in the last days. Even in Isaiah’s day a state of stupefaction was upon the people and they were destined for chastening soon, without destruction, by Assyria (Isaiah 36:1-37:38), and to destruction later by Babylon (2Ki. 25:1-30) and Rome (Luke 21:20-24).

For the LORD hath poured out upon you the spirit of deep sleep, and hath closed your eyes: the prophets and your rulers, the seers hath he covered. Isa. 29:10

Three Acts of God Concerning Judah

1. He has poured out the spirit of deep sleep upon Judah.

2. He has closed their eyes.

3. He has covered the rulers and seers of Judah so they cannot see.

This could only mean that God allowed the Jews to become blind to spiritual things and hard in heart toward Him, not that God deliberately blinded them. They closed their own minds and hardened their own hearts without God’s interference; and their hearts became gross, their ears dull of hearing, their eyes blind, and their other faculties arrested in development according to their rejection of His program. This is the way Paul interprets this passage in Rom. 11:8. Isaiah himself confirms this conclusion in Isa. 6:9-12 as quoted by Christ in Mat. 13:13-16.

deep sleep... Hebrew: tardemah. Translated "deep sleep" all 7 times it’s used (Isa. 29:10; Gen. 2:21; 15:12; 1Sa. 26:12; Job. 4:13; 33:15; Pro. 19:15).

the prophets and... At this time Judah was so overcome with spiritual lethargy and stupidity regarding truth, that even their prophets, rulers, and wise men were blind—so much so that God’s Word was a sealed book to them (Isa. 29:11). They were as ignorant as the most unlearned (Isa. 29:12). The cause of their blindness was hypocrisy, lip service, willful sins, and hardness of heart (Isa. 29:13; 6:9-12; Mat. 13:13-15; Rom. 11:8).

And the vision of all is become unto you as the words of a book that is sealed, which men deliver to one that is learned, saying, Read this, I pray thee: and he saith, I cannot; for it is sealed: Isa. 29:11

They did not understand God’s revelation about His judgment on the Assyrians that Isaiah recorded on a scroll (Isa. 29:11-12).

And the book is delivered to him that is not learned, saying, Read this, I pray thee: and he saith, I am not learned. Isa. 29:12

No one, either people who could read or those who couldn’t, could understand this truth.

Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men: Isa. 29:13

Forasmuch as this... The people of Jerusalem, professing to know God, were formally involved in acts of worship but they did not worship God from their hearts.

draw near me... They were more concerned with man-made legalistic rules than with God’s Law, which promotes mercy, justice, and equity.

Four causes of spiritual blindness:

1. Drawing near to God with the mouth alone.

2. Honoring Him with the lips only.

3. Removing the heart far from Him.

4. Fearing Him only after the precept of men.

Therefore, behold, I will proceed to do a marvellous work among this people, even a marvellous work and a wonder: for the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, and the understanding of their prudent men shall be hid. Isa. 29:14

Therefore, behold... God’s Marvelous Work:

Since men serve and honor Me just with their lips and not from their heart, I will proceed with a marvelous work and a wonder that will either wake them up or cause them to perish (Isa. 29:14). This marvelous work and a wonder was none other than the gospel work of the N.T.—teaching, preaching, and healing all manner of sickness and disease among the people; the creation of new lives; and the full program as demonstrated and recorded of Christ and His followers (Isa. 29:14; Hab. 1:5; Act. 13:40-41). This work of wonder is referred to many times in the N.T. (Mat. 15:31; Mar. 6:51; Luke 4:22; 8:25; 9:43; 11:14; Act 8:13; 13:40-41). Not only did the miracles and signs of the gospel make men wonder, but they caused some to resist to the point of seeming madness and their own destruction; and the new doctrines taught caused the wise of the world to stumble, harden their hearts, and be lost (1Co. 1:18-31). Such a program was a savor of life unto life in those who conformed to the gospel, as well as a savor of death unto death in those who rejected it (2Co. 2:15-17).

for the wisdom... Because of that, God would judge them; their wisdom would vanish.

Woe unto them that seek deep to hide their counsel from the LORD, and their works are in the dark, and they say, Who seeth us? and who knoweth us? Isa. 29:15

Woe unto them... Woe to those who seek to hide their plans from God and carry on wickedness in the dark, thinking that they won’t be seen or known. This defines a hypocrite as one who attempts to deceive God and man (cp. Mat. 23:1-39).

Who seeth us? ... Questions 48-52. Next, Isa. 33:14.

Surely your turning of things upside down shall be esteemed as the potter's clay: for shall the work say of him that made it, He made me not? or shall the thing framed say of him that framed it, He had no understanding? Isa. 29:16

Surely your turning... Your perversion of things makes it appear that the potter is the clay, or no more qualified than the clay to form anything. You seem to think that God knows nothing of your deceptions, but He does (Heb. 4:12-13).

shall the work... Such thinking twisted the facts and confused the potter with the clay. A jar, however, cannot deny that the potter made it, or say that the potter is ignorant (cf. Isa. 45:9; Isa. 64:8). Actually the people knew nothing of what was going on, but God always knows everything.

Is it not yet a very little while, and Lebanon shall be turned into a fruitful field, and the fruitful field shall be esteemed as a forest? Isa. 29:17

shall be turned... Six blessings of the Millennium:

1. Lebanon (which was then perhaps uncultivated) shall be turned into a fruitful field (Isa. 29:17; 35:1-2).

2. The fruitful (cultivated) field shall become more fruitful and as a forest (Isa. 29:17; 35:1-3).

3. The deaf shall hear the words of the book (Isa. 29:18; 35:5; 29:10-12).

4. The blind shall see (Isa. 29:18; 35:5; 42:16).

5. The meek shall have their joy increased in the Lord (Isa. 29:19; Psm. 37:11; Mat. 5:5).

6. The poor shall rejoice in the Lord (Isa. 29:19) and be prosperous (Mic. 4:4).

And in that day shall the deaf hear the words of the book, and the eyes of the blind shall see out of obscurity, and out of darkness. Isa. 29:18

And in that day... The Millennium—all will be healed (Isa. 33:24; 35:3-6).

The meek also shall increase their joy in the LORD, and the poor among men shall rejoice in the Holy One of Israel. Isa. 29:19

The needy will rejoice in the Lord because of what He will do for them.

For the terrible one is brought to nought, and the scorner is consumed, and all that watch for iniquity are cut off: Isa 29:20

For the terrible... Three classes judged:

1. The terrible one (the Antichrist, that wicked one; 2Th. 2:8)

2. The scorner is consumed.

3. The wicked are all cut off (2Th. 1:7-10; Jude 1:14-15).

That make a man an offender for a word, and lay a snare for him that reproveth in the gate, and turn aside the just for a thing of nought. Isa. 29:21

that make a man... Three things the wicked do to others:

1. They make people offend in word, or give false evidence.

2. They lay snares for the righteous and pervert judges.

3. They turn the just aside for reward, and defraud men for a thing of nought.

Therefore thus saith the LORD, who redeemed Abraham, concerning the house of Jacob, Jacob shall not now be ashamed, neither shall his face now wax pale. Isa. 29:22

who redeemed... Abraham was redeemed by faith, the same as all other redeemed ones (Gen. 15:6; Rom. 4:1-25).

the house of... The prophecy here was from the God of Abraham to Jacob, predicting that in the Millennium he would enjoy six blessings:

Six Blessings

1. He will not be ashamed.

2. His face will not wax pale.

3. His descendants will sanctify God and His name, that is, set them apart in reverence (Isa. 29:23).

4. They will fear the God of Israel.

5. They will come to understanding (Isa. 29:24).

6. The murmurers among them will learn doctrine.

This has never been literally fulfilled with Israel as a nation, so it must refer to the time of the Messiah.

Shall not now... Here Jacob is referred to as the ancestor of the Jews, looking down on them and noting their lives. Their conduct wouldn’t make a father proud. Their history had been one of shame; but now it was predicted that Jacob would be ashamed no more. He would look upon his vast household with pride; he would see God’s redeeming work in their lives; and they, in the Millennium, would sanctify God and His holy name, fear Him, and come to understand sound doctrine (Isa. 29:22-24).

But when he seeth his children, the work of mine hands, in the midst of him, they shall sanctify my name, and sanctify the Holy One of Jacob, and shall fear the God of Israel. Isa. 29:23

they shall... The true meaning of sanctify is "set apart." It is not the removal of "the old man," for there is no "old man" in God or His name. No longer will blindness prevail; then they will know God’s ways.

They also that erred in spirit shall come to understanding, and they that murmured shall learn doctrine. Isa. 29:24

People who are wayward and who complain will change and will accept instruction.