Isaiah 29
ARIEL, meaning “Lion of God” is a name for Jerusalem, only found in this chapter. It speaks of what Jerusalem should have been, and what for a short time it was, in in measure; the place of brightest glory, of power which God bestowed on David and Solomon. But not now as when David dwelt there!
Yet it is the city God chose, and the Assyrian’s first attack upon it (in chapter 28) is shortly to be followed by the return of Israel’s Messiah, the rejected Christ of God. First, however, Jerusalem must be brought low (verse 4). The enemy must, as a part of God’s dealings with this people, camp against it, lay siege with watch-posts and raise forts against it. Verse 4 must be fulfilled ere God intervenes. The rebels of Israel will be brought to a state of terror, all their resources gone; no help avails (verses 5, 6).
What has the great federation of the west been doing at this time? Has the powerful head of the Roman Empire (which is yet, according to the Scriptures, to be revived) neglected the Jewish kingdom under his authority, since the news must have quickly reached him of the attacks from south and north? What more natural than that all the military power he can muster shall be sent, as rapidly as possible, to the shore of the Holy Land, and sent inland to fight the daring Assyrian, now pursuing the Egyptians, and conquering their land (Dan. 11:42, 43)?
Turn to Rev. 19:11-21, and Zech. 14:3-5; 12: 1-9, the former giving the destruction of the Roman chief, and the head of the Jewish state (called the false prophet, but evidently the same person as the king and the Antichrist), and the armies of Europe under the command of the Roman emperor; the latter including the destruction of the Assyrian or king of the north whom Daniel 11:44, 45 shows getting bad news from the north and the east, and returning to Jerusalem to meet an unexpected end.
We may conjecture what news it will be, that will cause the Assyrian (or king of the north, for they are evidently one) to be troubled; if the news from the north is that the Roman arms is ready to meet him near Jerusalem: or that it has been destroyed (at the Lord’s coming), and what the news from the east may be, Scripture does not enlighten us on these points. We are amazed that God should have told so much, in His Word; but it is there for the help of His people, more particularly in that awful day to come.
We would just point out, while on this subject, that the correct reading of Dan. 11:45 is: “And he (the Assyrian) shall plant the tents of his palace between the sea and the mountain of holy beauty, and he shall come to his end, and there shall he none to help him.” It is not in Jerusalem, then, but between the city and the Mediterranean Sea, that he encamps for the last time.
Returning to Isa. 29, verse 5 is better understood if “enemies” (the true meaning) is read instead of “strangers.” Verse 6 and the passages in Zechariah show with what demonstration of divine power the coming of the Lord with His saints will be attended.
In Acts 1, the apostles had asked the risen Lord about His restoring the kingdom to Israel, and He had left them to be witnesses for Him while absent. Then as they gazed steadfastly after Him as He ascended from the Mount of Olives to the scenes of eternal glory, two “men” are seen standing by them in white apparel, who tell them that this same Jesus should in like manner return. From Rev. 19:11-21 we have the manner of His coming; and from Zech. 14:4, the place—the Mount of Olives.
The remainder of chapter 29 is quite plain, and calls for no special comment. Verses 9 to 16 are addressed to those who should give heed to God and His Word; their sins have taken them far from Him; but in verses 18 to 24 is the glad news of a recovery out of all the wretchedness and misery man has brought on himself. Great events that have come before us in considering this chapter are:
(1) The coming of the Lord in judgment, attended by His heavenly hosts;
(2) The destruction of all nations arrayed in battle against Him;
(3) The blessing of His earthly people. For this the world waits, but the Christian, taught of God, waits for the Lord Jesus from heaven, to meet Him in the air, to have the body of mortality and corruption changed to an incorruptible one like His own, to be forever with Him, knowing Him as we are now known,—and this and more to be ours who trust in Him, long before this groaning earth shall be set free following His coming to the Mount of Olives. (1 Thess. 4:15-17; Phil. 3:20, 21; 1 Cor. 15:51, 52).
ML 09/24/1933