Isaiah 29
by Pastor David Groendyk

Our attention has been shifted away from the nations of the world back to the nation of Judah and the capital city of Jerusalem. These next few chapters condemn the country’s leaders and the country itself for turning to non-believing nations for protection and security. The general theme of judgment on Judah for turning away from God which we’ve seen all throughout this book remains constant, but the picture continues to be filled in with ever-increasing detail.

Israel is filled with hypocrisy (v. 13). This is the definition of hypocrisy here in verse 13, that we pretend to do something outwardly that does not match how we really feel on the inside. In fact, the very meaning of the word ‘hypocrite’ comes from the idea of a stage performer wearing a mask and acting like someone else. Israel and its leaders say and do the right things in worship, but their hearts have zero desire to worship. They’re merely acting. And this speaks a hard word for us too. Are we just acting when we come to church on Sunday? Hypocrisy is, at its core, lying to God, our brothers and sisters, and ourselves. This is why it’s so deadly and dangerous and offensive. So then, let us ask God to give us hearts that match his, and let us strive to be honest in the way we represent where we’re at spiritually.

Israel has also created an upside down hierarchy (vv. 15–16). In essence, they have made themselves gods by thinking that they can hide something about themselves from God. And here also is a hard word for us. How many times have we knowingly done something that we knew was wrong because we thought that no one was watching? How many times have we known what the Bible says we ought to do but decided to do our own thing because we thought we knew better than God? So then, we must remember at all times one of the most basic teachings of Scripture—God is God, and we are not. He has infinite knowledge, infinite wisdom, infinite understanding, and infinite power. Who are we to talk back to God?

The warning should land home with us because of what Isaiah says in verse 5: the coming judgment will be sudden. As Paul says in 1 Thessalonians 5, “While people are saying, ‘There is peace and security,’ then sudden destruction will come upon them as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.” We don’t get warnings that say, “If you don’t change in the next 5 years, then you’ll be punished!” No, our end can come at any time, and when it does, everything that we thought we will have gained in this life will be gone (vv. 7–9).

So what do we do? Turn to your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel! Verses 18–19 sound a lot like the beatitudes of Matthew 5. The deaf will hear, the blind will see, the meek shall inherit, and the poor will exult. Humble yourself and seek God, because he is mighty to save. He has compassion on those who are needy. He has an infinite store of grace for the weak. He loves to pour out and give to those who need it, but so often we are too proud and think we’ve got everything handled. If you’re burdened down by your sin, if you know your own guilt, if you recognize your pride, then find your rest, relief, forgiveness, and salvation in Jesus Christ, the one who has redeemed you.