The Lord has been speaking through Isaiah about the judgements he will bring against the nations beginning with Israel, “Ariel” here who seems to think their history will protect them. Then Lord speaks a parable about how he is working and he says “the plowman plows” but it is so he can sow seed and some he scatters and some he plants in rows, “and his God instructs him” but there is also a different method of harvest for each, so also the Lord is dealing differently with each nation and people. But it isn’t judgement the Lorrd desires, it is “Joy after joy” that he wants to bring his people to when “the tyrant is no more”.
And his God Instructs Him About the Prescription
Isaiah 28:23–29
Every kind of plant produces different kinds of fruit and there is seed within. For us to use that seed, we must process each in a different way. Grains are separated on the threshing floor are are thrown into the air to separate the grain from the stalks and chaff. As he says here, cumin is beaten out in the field. It is God that instructs us in the right way to harvest. It is God that brings the increase to us.
It Will Happen in an Instant, Suddenly
Isaiah 29:1–9
The children of Israel celebrated their history, and had feasts the Lord had called but as we find here, in this city they also had a regular festival. But no matter how many festivals we may celebrate, and no matter how important our history is to us, it is God’s plan that is established. They said of this city Ariel in
Isaiah 29:1 “Ariel, the city where David encamped!”
But God said in
Isaiah 29:2 Yet I will inflict Ariel, and there shall be mourning and lamentation, and it shall be to me like an altar hearth.
But what city is this?, It is “Jerusalem; Ariel means “Lion of God,” that is, city rendered by God invincible: the lion is emblem of a mighty hero”.1
Their Fear of Me is a Commandment of Men
Joy After Joy in Yahweh (the Lord)
Isaiah 29:17–24
The Lord is doing a work to cleanse the land and certainly that means removing the evildoer, the tyrant in
Isaiah 29:20–21 For the tyrant shall be no more, and the scoffer shall come to an end. And all those lying in wait for evil shall be cut off; 21 those who mislead a person into sin with a word and set a trap for the ⌊arbitrator⌋ in the gate and guide away the righteous by emptiness.
But it is much more than that, it is also bestowing blessing in fruitfulness and health and joy as it says in Isaiah 29:17-17 “a fruitful land … the deaf shall hear … the eyes of the blind shall see … the meek have joy after joy in Yahweh, and the needy of the people shall rejoice in the holy one of Israel”.
And I think the opening of ears and eyes is more than just physical healing. It is also the ability to see and learn God’s ways as he goes on to say in
Isaiah 29:23–24 For when he sees his children, the work of my hands, in his midst, they will treat my name as holy, and they will treat the holy one of Jacob as holy, and they will stand in awe of the God of Israel. 24 And those who err in spirit will acquire understanding, and those who grumble will learn instruction.
They Do Not Ask of My Mouth
Isaiah 30:1–5
In Returning and Rest You Shall be Saved
Isaiah 30:6–17
Study Verses
- Isaiah 28:23–29 And his God Instructs Him About the Prescription
- Isaiah 29:1–9 It Will Happen in an Instant, Suddenly
- Isaiah 29:17–24 Joy After Joy in Yahweh (the Lord)
Today’s Reading
- Isaiah 28:23-29
- Isaiah 29:1-24
- Isaiah 30:1-17
References
- 1. Jamieson, R., Fausset, A. R., & Brown, D. (1997). Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (Vol. 1, p. 461). Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.
