Isaiah 29

Ariel is a name referring to Jerusalem.  There are apparently different suggestions of what Ariel means hence the problem with just accepting all that you read as authoritative. The three suggestions I’ve read have been, “Lion of God”,”hearth”, and “altar”.  Im inclined to accept the “altar” as it’s intended meaning because of verse 2 and the surrounding context.

The context is because of Israel’s rebellion and hypocrisy the Lord will act as their enemy. Just as the Lord warned them long ago, idolatry will not be tolerated. Isaiah is giving Israel a prophetic warning that this outcome is nigh. The corruption of the people have lead them to arrogance and pride, but the Lord will humble them (v4).

Despite this punishment, the Lord also seeks to deliver them.  Chastisement upon the nation will not last forever.  These events are spoken before they happen so that people could wake up out of their indifference towards God (v9-10).  But even though the truth and warnings be told to them, people will continue being indifferent.

People are satisfied with the way things currently are.  They have religion, the have creeds, the have festivals, and holy days, but it is vain and hollow worship.  They kiss God with out any affection.  They sing the lyrics without loving Him with their hearts (v13-14).  We do the same things in our churches with our praise teams, gatherings, and fellowship meetings.  We wear the clothes, put on the ties….”but they have removed their heart from me, and their ‘fear’ (worship) is taught by the precept of men”.  People imitate the worship they see others do, but it is nothing more than motions learned by doing the same things over and over (v13).

Because of this the Lord will astound the hypocrites with amazing wonder (v14).  This is so those who think there so smart will shown to be fools.  They in their human wisdom lead people farther and farther away from God and His will, and therefore draws His chastening hand upon them.  When will people learn?  We are created, He is the Creator?  There is no sanction, no divine approval for men to do what they want or worship other things.

We see the cycle of rebellion in Israel’s history and we wag our heads at them for their stupidity, but more ridiculous still is the rebellion in our own societies.  God will not always be tolerant, even in this “age of grace” God’s judgement on the earth is set to begin at any moment, like a pail of water filled to the brim teetering over getting ready to fall.  The Lord Himself will be their judge and fates will be decided based on what they’ve done with Jesus.

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