Jerusalem has been under siege a number of times. For example, the Assyrian army came up to encamp against it and besiege it but the Lord delivered the city in a miraculous way. We studied this event in our study of the kings and we will take a fresh look at it later in the book of Isaiah. Also as we learned in our study of the kings, after the Neo-Babylonian Empire overthrew the Assyria Empire, the Neo-Babylonian army also besieged the city---and this time the Lord allowed the city to fall to the enemy. Later in Jerusalem's history the Roman army, for another example, laid siege to and overtook the city. We do not know which specific siege Isaiah had in mind or whether he had all of them in mind, although many scholars believe he was looking at the imminent threat of Assyria when he spoke the words of our chapter.
The Lord will supernaturally thwart the plans of the Assyrian army. He will also bring down every empire that ever has or ever will threaten the existence of Israel as a nation. In today's text the prophet foresees an end to all opposition to Israel.
"But your many enemies will become like fine dust, the ruthless hordes like blown chaff. Suddenly, in an instant, the Lord Almighty will come with thunder and earthquake and great noise, with windstorm and tempest and flames of a devouring fire." (Isaiah 29:5-6)
Although the Lord struck dead, overnight, many thousands of soldiers of the Assyrian army, I don't believe that's the event that is in view here. I think that particular event was an example of how mightily He fights on the side of those who are faithful to Him (for when He struck down the Assyrians the people of Jerusalem and Judah were calling upon Him for help), but I believe the words of verses 5-6 are intended for the end times when, before the Messiah comes to reign forever, the Lord puts an end to all nations that persecute His people Israel.
More than one nation is is view here. Although the Lord has already put an end to several nations that were enemies of Israel in the past, I think Isaiah's words regard events that take place in the book of Revelation when prejudice against Israel will reach an all-time high in the corrupt world government of that era. I think this prophecy is about a final end to all prejudice against the Jews and an end of all persecution of them.
"Then the hordes of all the nations that fight against Ariel, that attack her and her fortress and besiege her, will be as it is with a dream, with a vision in the night---as when a hungry person dreams of eating, but awakens hungry still; as when a thirsty person dreams of drinking, but awakens faint and thirsty still. So will it be with the hordes of all the nations that fight against Mount Zion." (Isaiah 29:7-8) Isaiah uses the names of "Ariel" and "Mount Zion" synonymously with "Jerusalem".
In the book of Revelation in the end times we will find a coalition of nations joining together to fight against the Lord, to fight against Israel, and to fight against those who have come to faith in the Lord during the Great Tribulation. But the Lord Jesus Christ (in an event often referred to as the "Second Coming of Christ") comes in person to fight against these enemies and He supernaturally destroys them before He sets up His eternal kingdom on earth, with His capital being at Jerusalem. When that takes place, the memory of Israel's enemies will be like the faint memory of a dream. The old enemies will be no more. No new enemies will arise. If anyone should think back on the past and the various eras in which Israel was opposed by enemies, it will be like speaking of a time so far gone that it will be like speaking of a dream a person might have had far back in childhood. Times will be so peaceful and joyous that they will somehow, through the Lord's infinite grace and mercy, erase the sting of all past hurts.
No comments:
Post a Comment