READ: Is. 29:1-16: … these people draw near with their mouths …
Ariel means “altar hearth” and represents Jerusalem, the city where David established his residence. What is described here in vivid imagery is the siege of Jerusalem. It is the LORD who has allowed the Assyrian armies to come to the gates as a warning for the apostasy of Judah.
This occurs under King Hezekiah as punishment for the decline of Judah, which particularly developed under his father, King Ahaz. Everything can go on as if nothing is wrong: feast after feast (v.1), but then the LORD suddenly comes with His judgment.
Ahaz did not want to trust God but preferred to make an alliance with Assyria (see Is. 7,8). In doing so, he and the people offended the LORD. God’s fire, His wrath, will come because of this. Thus, Isaiah speaks now of the Lord’s threat to make Jerusalem into an altar hearth: they will be overwhelmed and consumed by enemies.
When Sennacherib’s armies stand at the gates, panic strikes within the city: everyone speaks in hushed tones (v.4). Yet the LORD will still provide deliverance. Sennacherib’s armies are defeated by the LORD Himself in great numbers (2 Kin. 19 speaks of 185,000 men).
Isaiah uses the image of a dream to describe God’s unexpected intervention (v.7,8). The enemy dreams of devouring everything, but when they wake up, they find nothing to be true. So sudden and unstoppable was God’s action in the city’s deliverance.
But does the people repent after this rescue? They do not want to repent! They harden their hearts. Then the LORD withdraws His word. Prophets and seers are blinded and fall silent (v.9-12). They no longer understand God’s Word. There is no insight. Even the worship services are an abomination to the LORD: there is no heartfelt religion (v.13).
Instead, the people honor God with their lips in an outward show of religion (Matt. 15:8). Because of this, God’s punishment comes. They do not answer to the LORD but go their own dark way and are therefore blinded by God (v.15,16).
Why do people not want to repent?
Sing: Ps. 50:7,8