The Woes Of The People (29:1-24)
Neal Pollard
There are three “woes” outlined in chapters 28 and 29. The last two are in this chapter. It is highlighted with the Hebrew interjection “hoy,” translated “woe,” “alas,” “O,” “ho,” or “ah.” Translators typically add an exclamation point to convey the intense lamentation of the word. The first of these woes looked at the leadership issues, but the last two focus on the rank and file of God’s people. Each of the “woes” contain multiple parts to them. Let’s notice them.
Woe to vain worshippers (1-14). Our first cue that this is about worship is the mention of “Ariel,” a nickname for Jerusalem explained in the first two verses. The southern kingdom insisted on putting their trust in man rather than God, but when they faced the horrors of an enemy siege (3-4) followed by their defeat “in an instant, suddenly” (5) they would stagger with utter astonishment (9). This appears to be another prophecy of God’s crushing of Assyria in one night (37:36)! Sin had blinded the prophets and the people to the truth of God’s power and their own responsibility to God (10-14). It’s in this context that Isaiah says something Jesus will quote and use to describe the religious pretenders of His day: “Because this people draw near with their mouth and honor me with their lips, while their hearts are far from me, and their fear of me is a commandment taught by men, therefore, behold, I will again do wonderful things with this people, with wonder upon wonder; and the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, and the discernment of their discerning men shall be hidden” (13-14; Mat. 15:8-9; Mark 7:6-7). Jesus quotes verse 13, but verse 14 is a reminder of God’s wonder and wisdom who rescues His people even as they cling to their blindness and deafness. Isn’t that what Jesus did at the cross (Rom. 5:6-8)?
Woe to rebellious plotters (15-24). Isaiah depicts a tendency of human nature, as men somehow think they can hide their plans and deeds from the omniscient God. The final woe begins, “Woe to those who deeply hide their plans from the Lord, And whose deeds are done in a dark place, And they say, “Who sees us?” or “Who knows us?” (15). This is foolish since God is the potter and we are the clay (16). Instead, God offers redemption to the rebellious. He brings fruitfulness to the barren (17), hearing to “the deaf” (18), sight to “the blind” (18), joy and exaltation to the meek and poor (19), confidence to the ashamed (22), and understanding to those who were astray (24). None of this is because of the merit and goodness of the people. The entire emphasis is on the steadfast love of a God who extends grace to those astray, wanting them to see His goodness and leave their sin for His salvation. God’s nature has not changed. His love has not abated. His grace has not expired. It is for us to embrace it and let it transform us (cf. Rom. 12:1-2).
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