Isaiah 29:15-24 Click here for Bible Verses
Hi GAMErs!
Today’s passage is Isaiah 29:15-24. Let’s go!
Remember that Isaiah chapters 28-33 represent a new section in the book of Isaiah. Scholars believe that this section relates to the time when Judah was considering forming an alliance with Egypt in order to help defend against the threat of Assyria. The ongoing message from Isaiah is that this alliance will only hurt Judah, not help them, and that Judah’s only true hope is trusting in the LORD.
Isaiah 29:15-16 (NIV)
15 Woe to those who go to great depths to hide their plans from the LORD, who do their work in darkness and think, “Who sees us? Who will know?”
16 You turn things upside down, as if the potter were thought to be like the clay! Shall what is formed say to him who formed it, “He did not make me”? Can the pot say of the potter, “He knows nothing”?
On verses 15-16: The people of Judah thought they could hide their plans from the Lord, when in fact they couldn’t and it was God who was hiding His plans from Judah such that Judah had no clue. What can we learn from this? Don’t insult God by thinking that God does not see what we do and plan. Don’t be silly and think we can assume God’s role as potter when you and I are the clay.
Isaiah 29:17-24 (NIV)
17 In a very short time, will not Lebanon be turned into a fertile field and the fertile field seem like a forest?
18 In that day the deaf will hear the words of the scroll, and out of gloom and darkness the eyes of the blind will see.
19 Once more the humble will rejoice in the LORD; the needy will rejoice in the Holy One of Israel.
20 The ruthless will vanish, the mockers will disappear, and all who have an eye for evil will be cut down–
21 those who with a word make a man out to be guilty, who ensnare the defender in court and with false testimony deprive the innocent of justice.
22 Therefore this is what the LORD, who redeemed Abraham, says to the house of Jacob: “No longer will Jacob be ashamed; no longer will their faces grow pale.
23 When they see among them their children, the work of my hands, they will keep my name holy; they will acknowledge the holiness of the Holy One of Jacob, and will stand in awe of the God of Israel.
24 Those who are wayward in spirit will gain understanding; those who complain will accept instruction.”
On verses 17-24: Keep in mind the context of this passage: in Isaiah 29:1-14 Isaiah has been talking about how Jerusalem will be brought low by a siege and then rescued in an incredible way. When that happens, when God delivers Jerusalem as He promised, Isaiah says in verses 17-24 that it will spark a widespread spiritual transformation in the city of Jerusalem:
– A time when Jerusalem (also called “Lebanon”) will go from a forest cut down to a fertile field the size of a forest (v17)
– A time when the deaf will hear and the blind see (v18)
– A time when the humble will rejoice in God once again (v19)
– A time when the ruthless will vanish, mockers disappear, and the wicked be cut down (v20-21)
– A time when God’s people will no longer be ashamed (v22)
– A time when God’s people will see how God preserved their children and will stand in awe of God (v23)
– A time when the spiritual wayward finally understand, and complainers become teachable (v24)
Isaiah saying that this is what will all happen when the people of Judah experience God delivering them from the hand of Assyria. But I believe Isaiah’s words have been and will be fulfilled not just once, but many times over. That’s because all the transformations described above are what happen when any one of us realizes and experiences the incredible grace and rescuing power of God. Also, at the very end of time, on the widest and grandest scale of all, these transformations are what will happen when we are with God in heaven for eternity and get to be with Jesus face to face.
So here in Isaiah 29:15-24 we see God’s incredible mercy and grace toward the people of Jerusalem and Judah. Completely undeserved and unmerited kindness is shown to a prideful, hypocritical, hard-hearted people. Through Jesus Christ God shows the same to you and me.
Father, I stand in awe of Your kindness. You are not only holier and more just than any of us, You are also kinder and more merciful than any of us. Only Someone with a heart as expansive as Yours could do the incredible work that You do and rule a kingdom as massive and beautiful as the One You rule. I’m just blessed to be in it. In Jesus’ name, AMEN!
