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Isaiah 29

Isa 29, Is 29


Isaiah 29

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

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

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

4 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.

5 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.

6 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.

7 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.

8 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.

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

10 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.

11 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:

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.



13 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:

14 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.

15 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?

16 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?

17 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?

18 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.

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

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

21 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.

22 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.

23 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.

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

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Summary and the Meaning of Isaiah Chapter 29 in the KJV Holy Bible

The chapter 29 of the book of Isaiah in the King James Version (KJV) of the Holy Bible presents a complex web of prophecies, warnings, and promises that are deeply interwoven with the spiritual journey of the people of Israel. This chapter is not just about a historical narrative or divine pronouncement; it is also about the spiritual, moral, and social implications of their relationship with God. The rich tapestry of meanings and symbols in this chapter contributes to its enduring relevance and impact.

The Prophecy Against Ariel

Isaiah 29 begins with a prophecy against Ariel, a symbolic name for Jerusalem. The term Ariel, meaning "Lion of God" or "Hearth of God," is used to denote the city's strength and its status as the center of worship. The prophecy outlines a cycle of punishment and redemption, where Ariel is besieged and brought low, yet ultimately restored. The city is warned of a time of distress and humiliation, symbolized by the dust and the mourning.

The prophecy is not merely a prediction; it serves as a wake-up call for the people of Ariel. It challenges them to reflect on their actions, to recognize their transgressions, and to turn back to God. It is a call to repentance, a call to renewal.

The Vision of the Sealed Book

In verses 11 and 12, Isaiah presents the vision of a sealed book. The book is delivered to two different groups of people: those who can read and those who cannot. However, neither group is able to understand the book's contents. This vision symbolizes the spiritual blindness and ignorance of the people, their inability to comprehend the word of God, and their consequent failure to live according to its precepts.

The sealed book vision underscores the importance of spiritual understanding in the context of religious observance. It criticizes the empty ritualism and outward piety that lacked true devotion and understanding. This theme resonates with the wider message of the book of Isaiah, which constantly calls for a deep, personal, and transformative relationship with God, as opposed to superficial religiosity.

The Promise of Transformation

Despite the dire warnings and the stark portrayal of the people's spiritual condition, Isaiah 29 also contains a promise of transformation. Verses 17-24 speak of a time when the deaf will hear the words of the book, and the eyes of the blind will see. This transformation is not merely physical; it represents a spiritual awakening, a revival of faith, and a renewed commitment to justice and righteousness.

Moreover, the transformation is also social and communal. It promises the upliftment of the poor and the humble, the eradication of tyranny, and the establishment of a society based on fairness and respect. This promise serves as a beacon of hope, a vision of a better future that can be realized through faith, repentance, and righteous living.

The Spiritual Journey of Ariel

The narrative of Ariel in Isaiah 29 is emblematic of the spiritual journey of every believer. It encompasses the cycles of sin and repentance, punishment and mercy, despair and hope that characterize the human experience. Ariel's story is our story, a reflection of our struggles and triumphs in the quest for spiritual growth and fulfillment.

In this journey, the role of prophecy is crucial. Prophecies are not just foretellings of the future; they are divine messages meant to guide, warn, and inspire. They challenge us to confront our shortcomings, to strive for better, and to never lose hope in the promise of divine mercy and redemption.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Isaiah 29 is a profound exploration of the spiritual journey of the people of Ariel, and by extension, all believers. It presents a vivid picture of the consequences of spiritual blindness and disobedience, but it also offers a hopeful vision of transformation and renewal. It is a testament to the power of faith, repentance, and righteous living, and a reminder of the enduring promise of divine mercy and redemption.

This chapter, like the rest of the book of Isaiah, calls us to reflect deeply on our relationship with God. It challenges us to go beyond superficial religiosity and to cultivate a deep, personal, and transformative faith. It invites us to participate in the unfolding of God's plan for humanity, to be instruments of justice and righteousness, and to be bearers of hope in a world that desperately needs it.



This article is informed by the King James Version of the Holy Bible, the authors' personal knowledge, considerations and experience, and additional materials and resources available in internet.

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