1-16 The Siege of Jerusalem
- 1-4 Jerusalem will be to me like an Ariel (altar hearth); from the dust you will speak to me.
- 5-8 Your foes will be like dust. The LORD will visit you with thunder and earthquake, and your enemies will dream of conquering you, like a hungry person who dreams of eating and wakes up hungry.
- 9-10 Stupefy yourselves, for the LORD has closed the eyes of the seers.
- 11-12 The vision is sealed for those who can read; it is given to those who are unable to read. In other words, God will blind those who do not want to see.
- 13-14 "Because these people draw near with their mouths and honor me with their lips, while their hearts are far from me, and their worship of me is a human commandment learned by rote;" I will do shocking things with this people. "The wisdom of their wise shall perish, and the discernment of the discerning shall be hidden." See Mark 7:6-8 for one fulfillment of the first quote, and 1 Corinthians 1:19 for an application of the second.
- 15-16 If you who think you can hide your deeds from me, you have it all upside down. "Shall the potter be regarded as the clay? Shall the thing made say of its maker, 'He did not make me'; or the thing formed say of the one who formed it, 'He has no understanding'?" Applied again in Romans 9:20. Isaiah deals in principles here. Though his words are quoted later, the principles can apply throughout ages, since we have an endless tendency to elevate ourselves above God, even while thinking we are honoring him. We can and do become too wise in our own eyes.
- 17-21 There will come a day when people will rise out of the dust and hear the word of the LORD, when the needy will exult, and the tyrant shall be no more.
- 22-24 The LORD who redeemed Abraham says his children will stand in awe of God. Even those who grumble will receive instruction.
1-7 The Futility of Reliance on Egypt
- 1-5 It is rebellious and foolish to make an alliance with Egypt and rely on her protection.
- 6-7 Egypt's help is worthless; I have called her "Rahab who sits still."
- 8-11 Write this in a book as a record, for my people rebel, persuading the prophets to prophesy only what they want to hear, "smooth things...illusions."
- 12-14 Thus says the LORD, Because you reject my word and trust deceit, your iniquity will become like the breaking of a clay pot, smashed so ruthlessly not a fragment will be found.
- 15a "In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and in trust shall be your strength." I love this quote. What a contrast from a clay pot being smashed to bits. It reminds me of the song, "Be still, and know I am God," from Psalm 46:10.
- 15b-17 But you refused to listen and will live in fear if you think you can flee on horses.
- To Jerusalem: God is waiting to show his mercy on you, for he is a God of justice and blesses those who wait for him.
- Even though he punishes you for a time, he will show you the way, and you will destroy your images and idols.
- He will make your crops produce, feed your cattle, bless you with water, give you sunshine, and bind up your wounds.
- The LORD is coming in anger, smoke, indignation and fire to destroy the nations.
- You shall sing a song of gladness as when you set out to go to the mountain of the LORD. Jerusalem will rejoice at the defeat of the Assyrians.
- Assyria will be terror-stricken at the sound of the LORD, who has been preparing a place of punishment for the king of Assyria for a long time.
1-9 Alliance with Egypt Is Futile
- 1-3 Alas for those who rely on Egypt's many chariots and strong horsemen instead of the Holy One of God, for the Egyptians are only human; their horses are only flesh, not spirit. When the LORD stretches out his hand, the helper and the helped will perish together.
- 4-5 Like a lion protecting its prey, like birds hovering overhead, the LORD will protect and deliver Jerusalem.
- 6-9 People of Israel, turn back to him whom you have betrayed. Throw away your idols, and you see Assyria fall - but not by the sword of mortals.
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