Isaiah 29:7
All the many nations going out to battle against Ariel--even all who war against her, laying siege and attacking her--will be like a dream, like a vision in the night,
All the many nations
This phrase highlights the multitude of nations that are set against Ariel, which is a poetic name for Jerusalem. The Hebrew word for "nations" is "goyim," often used to refer to Gentile nations. Historically, Jerusalem has faced numerous adversaries, and this phrase underscores the overwhelming odds against her. Yet, it also sets the stage for God's intervention, reminding us that no matter how numerous the enemies, they are no match for divine power.

going out to battle
The imagery of nations "going out to battle" evokes the historical context of ancient warfare, where armies would physically march out to confront their enemies. This phrase suggests a proactive, aggressive stance against Ariel. In a spiritual sense, it can be seen as the forces of the world arrayed against God's people, a recurring theme throughout Scripture. It serves as a reminder of the spiritual battles believers face and the need for reliance on God's strength.

against Ariel
"Ariel" is a symbolic name for Jerusalem, meaning "lion of God" or "altar hearth." The dual meaning reflects both the strength and the sacrificial role of the city. Historically, Jerusalem was the center of worship and sacrifice, and this name emphasizes its spiritual significance. The use of "Ariel" here highlights the city's divine protection and the futility of opposing God's chosen place.

even all who war against her
This phrase reiterates the totality of the opposition, emphasizing that every force that rises against Jerusalem is included. The Hebrew root for "war" is "lacham," which conveys the idea of engaging in battle. This serves as a reminder of the constant spiritual warfare faced by God's people and the assurance that God is aware of every adversary.

laying siege and attacking her
The tactics of "laying siege and attacking" were common in ancient warfare, involving surrounding a city to cut off supplies and weaken its defenses. This phrase paints a picture of intense pressure and imminent danger. Historically, Jerusalem experienced numerous sieges, yet this also points to the spiritual sieges believers face, where the enemy seeks to cut off spiritual sustenance. It reassures us that God sees and will act in His timing.

will be like a dream
The comparison to a "dream" suggests something fleeting and insubstantial. In the Hebrew context, dreams were often seen as temporary and lacking in reality. This phrase offers hope, indicating that the formidable threats against Jerusalem will ultimately prove to be illusory and transient. It encourages believers to trust in God's promises, knowing that earthly challenges are temporary in light of eternity.

like a vision in the night
A "vision in the night" further emphasizes the ephemeral nature of the threats. Night visions, while vivid, disappear with the dawn. This phrase reassures that the adversaries' plans will not come to fruition. It serves as a powerful reminder of God's sovereignty and the ultimate triumph of His purposes, encouraging believers to hold fast to their faith amidst trials.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Ariel
A symbolic name for Jerusalem, meaning "Lion of God" in Hebrew. It represents the city as a place of strength and divine presence.

2. Many Nations
Refers to the various foreign powers that come against Jerusalem, symbolizing the collective enemies of God's people.

3. Siege and Distress
The military actions and psychological pressure exerted by these nations against Jerusalem.

4. Dream/Vision in the Night
A metaphor for the fleeting and insubstantial nature of the threats against Jerusalem, indicating that they will not come to fruition.
Teaching Points
God's Sovereignty Over Nations
Despite the apparent power of earthly nations, God remains in control. Believers can trust in His ultimate authority and protection.

The Fleeting Nature of Earthly Threats
Just as dreams vanish upon waking, so too will the threats against God's people dissipate. This encourages believers to maintain faith amidst trials.

The Power of Divine Deliverance
Historical and prophetic accounts of God's deliverance serve as reminders of His faithfulness. Believers are called to remember past deliverances as assurance for future challenges.

The Role of Faith in Adversity
Faith is essential when facing opposition. Believers are encouraged to stand firm, knowing that God is their defender.

The Importance of Spiritual Vigilance
Just as dreams can be deceptive, so can the allure of worldly power. Believers must remain spiritually vigilant and discerning.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the metaphor of a "dream" in Isaiah 29:7 help us understand the nature of threats against God's people?

2. In what ways can we see God's sovereignty over nations in today's world, and how does this impact our faith?

3. Reflect on a time when you experienced God's deliverance in your life. How does this memory strengthen your faith in current challenges?

4. How can we apply the lessons of Isaiah 29:7 to maintain spiritual vigilance in our daily lives?

5. What connections can you draw between Isaiah 29:7 and the New Testament teachings on faith and divine protection?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Psalm 2
This psalm speaks of the nations conspiring against the Lord and His Anointed, but ultimately being thwarted by God's sovereign power.

Isaiah 37
The account of the Assyrian siege of Jerusalem and God's miraculous deliverance, illustrating the fulfillment of Isaiah's prophecy.

Zechariah 12
Describes the future deliverance of Jerusalem from the nations, echoing the theme of divine protection.

Matthew 26:64
Jesus speaks of His return in power, which parallels the theme of divine intervention and ultimate victory over earthly powers.
The City of GodW. Clarkson Isaiah 29:1-8
Concerning ArielE. Johnson Isaiah 29:1-12
A DreamProf. J. Skinner, D. D.Isaiah 29:7-8
Disappointing FanciesMungo Park's JournalIsaiah 29:7-8
DisenchantmentProf. J. Skinner, D. D.Isaiah 29:7-8
DreamingD. P. Pratten, B. A.Isaiah 29:7-8
Life a DreamD. P. Pratten, B. A.Isaiah 29:7-8
The Disappointments of SinS. Martin.Isaiah 29:7-8
The Visions of SinHomilistIsaiah 29:7-8
People
Ariel, David, Isaiah, Jacob
Places
Ariel, Lebanon, Mount Zion
Topics
Ariel, Attack, Besiege, Bulwark, Bulwarks, Distress, Distressing, Dream, Fight, Fighting, Fortifications, Fortress, Making, Multitude, Munition, Nations, Night-vision, Shutting, Stronghold, Towers, Vision, Wage, War, Warring, Warriors
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Isaiah 29:1-8

     9250   woe

Isaiah 29:5-8

     5529   sieges

Isaiah 29:7-8

     1409   dream
     4817   drought, spiritual
     5533   sleep, physical

Library
I am Told, Further, that You Touch with Some Critical Sharpness Upon Some Points of My Letter
13. I am told, further, that you touch with some critical sharpness upon some points of my letter, and, with the well-known wrinkles rising on your forehead and your eyebrows knitted, make sport of me with a wit worthy of Plautus, for having said that I had a Jew named Barabbas for my teacher. I do not wonder at your writing Barabbas for Baranina, the letters of the names being somewhat similar, when you allow yourself such a license in changing the names themselves, as to turn Eusebius into Pamphilus,
Various—Life and Works of Rufinus with Jerome's Apology Against Rufinus.

Thou that Dwellest in the Gardens, the Companions Hearken to Thy Voice; Cause Me to Hear It.
The Bridegroom invites his Spouse to speak in his behalf, and to enter actually upon the Apostolic life by teaching others. Thou, O my Spouse, He says, that dwellest in the gardens, in the ever-flowered parterres of the Divinity, where thou hast not ceased to dwell since the winter has passed, thou hast been in gardens as beautiful for the variety of the flowers with which it was adorned as for the excellence of the fruits which abound there; thou, O My Spouse, whom I keep constantly with Me in these
Madame Guyon—Song of Songs of Solomon

If it is Objected, that the Necessity which Urges us to Pray is not Always...
If it is objected, that the necessity which urges us to pray is not always equal, I admit it, and this distinction is profitably taught us by James: " Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms" (James 5:13). Therefore, common sense itself dictates, that as we are too sluggish, we must be stimulated by God to pray earnestly whenever the occasion requires. This David calls a time when God "may be found" (a seasonable time); because, as he declares in several other
John Calvin—Of Prayer--A Perpetual Exercise of Faith

The Hardening of Nations.
"The election hath obtained it, and the rest were hardened."-- Rom. xi. 7. St. Paul's word, at the head of this article, is strikingly impressive, and its content exceedingly rich and instructive. It clearly announces the fact that the hardening is not exceptional or occasional, but universal, affecting all, who, being in contact with the divine Love, are not saved by it. The last limitation is necessary, for of the heathen it can not be said that they are hardened. Only they can be hardened who
Abraham Kuyper—The Work of the Holy Spirit

Christ Teaching by Miracles
We have seen how many valuable lessons our Saviour taught while on earth by the parables which he used. But we teach by our lives, as well as by our lips. It has passed into a proverb, and we all admit the truth of it, that "Actions speak louder than words." If our words and our actions contradict each other, people will believe our actions sooner than our words. But when both agree together, then the effect is very great. This was true with our blessed Lord. There was an entire agreement between
Richard Newton—The Life of Jesus Christ for the Young

The Upbringing of Jewish Children
The tenderness of the bond which united Jewish parents to their children appears even in the multiplicity and pictorialness of the expressions by which the various stages of child-life are designated in the Hebrew. Besides such general words as "ben" and "bath"--"son" and "daughter"--we find no fewer than nine different terms, each depicting a fresh stage of life. The first of these simply designates the babe as the newly--"born"--the "jeled," or, in the feminine, "jaldah"--as in Exodus 2:3, 6, 8.
Alfred Edersheim—Sketches of Jewish Social Life

The New Testament Canon in the First Three Centuries.
The first Christians relied on the Old Testament as their chief religious book. To them it was of divine origin and authority. The New Testament writings came into gradual use, by the side of the older Jewish documents, according to the times in which they appeared and the names of their reputed authors. The Epistles of Paul were the earliest written; after which came the Apocalypse, the Epistle to the Hebrews, and other documents, all in the first century. After the first gospel had undergone a
Samuel Davidson—The Canon of the Bible

Covenanting a Privilege of Believers.
Whatever attainment is made by any as distinguished from the wicked, or whatever gracious benefit is enjoyed, is a spiritual privilege. Adoption into the family of God is of this character. "He came unto his own, and his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave he power (margin, or, the right; or, privilege) to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name."[617] And every co-ordinate benefit is essentially so likewise. The evidence besides, that Covenanting
John Cunningham—The Ordinance of Covenanting

Jesus Fails to Attend the Third Passover.
Scribes Reproach Him for Disregarding Tradition. (Galilee, Probably Capernaum, Spring a.d. 29.) ^A Matt. XV. 1-20; ^B Mark VII. 1-23; ^D John VII. 1. ^d 1 And after these things Jesus walked in Galilee: for he would not walk in Judæa, because the Jews sought to kill him. [John told us in his last chapter that the passover was near at hand. He here makes a general statement which shows that Jesus did not attend this passover. The reason for his absence is given at John v. 18.] ^a 1 Then there
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

Of Prayer --A Perpetual Exercise of Faith. The Daily Benefits Derived from It.
1. A general summary of what is contained in the previous part of the work. A transition to the doctrine of prayer. Its connection with the subject of faith. 2. Prayer defined. Its necessity and use. 3. Objection, that prayer seems useless, because God already knows our wants. Answer, from the institution and end of prayer. Confirmation by example. Its necessity and propriety. Perpetually reminds us of our duty, and leads to meditation on divine providence. Conclusion. Prayer a most useful exercise.
John Calvin—The Institutes of the Christian Religion

"To what Purpose is the Multitude of Your Sacrifices unto Me? Saith the Lord,"
Isaiah i. 11.--"To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices unto me? saith the Lord," &c. This is the word he calls them to hear and a strange word. Isaiah asks, What mean your sacrifices? God will not have them. I think the people would say in their own hearts, What means the prophet? What would the Lord be at? Do we anything but what he commanded us? Is he angry at us for obeying him? What means this word? Is he not repealing the statute and ordinance he had made in Israel? If he had reproved
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

Of the Power of Making Laws. The Cruelty of the Pope and his Adherents, in this Respect, in Tyrannically Oppressing and Destroying Souls.
1. The power of the Church in enacting laws. This made a source of human traditions. Impiety of these traditions. 2. Many of the Papistical traditions not only difficult, but impossible to be observed. 3. That the question may be more conveniently explained, nature of conscience must be defined. 4. Definition of conscience explained. Examples in illustration of the definition. 5. Paul's doctrine of submission to magistrates for conscience sake, gives no countenance to the Popish doctrine of the obligation
John Calvin—The Institutes of the Christian Religion

The Third Commandment
Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain: For the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.' Exod 20: 7. This commandment has two parts: 1. A negative expressed, that we must not take God's name in vain; that is, cast any reflections and dishonour on his name. 2. An affirmative implied. That we should take care to reverence and honour his name. Of this latter I shall speak more fully, under the first petition in the Lord's Prayer, Hallowed be thy name.' I shall
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments

Intercourse of Jesus with the Pagans and the Samaritans.
Following out these principles, Jesus despised all religion which was not of the heart. The vain practices of the devotees,[1] the exterior strictness, which trusted to formality for salvation, had in him a mortal enemy. He cared little for fasting.[2] He preferred forgiveness to sacrifice.[3] The love of God, charity and mutual forgiveness, were his whole law.[4] Nothing could be less priestly. The priest, by his office, ever advocates public sacrifice, of which he is the appointed minister; he
Ernest Renan—The Life of Jesus

Letter ii (A. D. 1126) to the Monk Adam
To the Monk Adam [3] 1. If you remain yet in that spirit of charity which I either knew or believed to be with you formerly, you would certainly feel the condemnation with which charity must regard the scandal which you have given to the weak. For charity would not offend charity, nor scorn when it feels itself offended. For it cannot deny itself, nor be divided against itself. Its function is rather to draw together things divided; and it is far from dividing those that are joined. Now, if that
Saint Bernard of Clairvaux—Some Letters of Saint Bernard, Abbot of Clairvaux

"And There is None that Calleth Upon Thy Name, that Stirreth up Himself to Take Hold on Thee,"
Isaiah lxiv. 7.--"And there is none that calleth upon thy name, that stirreth up himself to take hold on thee," &c. They go on in the confession of their sins. Many a man hath soon done with that a general notion of sin is the highest advancement in repentance that many attain to. You may see here sin and judgment mixed in thorough other(315) in their complaint. They do not so fix their eyes upon their desolate estate of captivity, as to forget their provocations. Many a man would spend more affection,
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

"But it is Good for Me to Draw Near to God: I have Put My Trust in the Lord God, that I May Declare all Thy
Psal. lxxiii. 28.--"But it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord God, that I may declare all thy works." After man's first transgression, he was shut out from the tree of life, and cast out of the garden, by which was signified his seclusion and sequestration from the presence of God, and communion with him: and this was in a manner the extermination of all mankind in one, when Adam was driven out of paradise. Now, this had been an eternal separation for any thing that
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

Isaiah
CHAPTERS I-XXXIX Isaiah is the most regal of the prophets. His words and thoughts are those of a man whose eyes had seen the King, vi. 5. The times in which he lived were big with political problems, which he met as a statesman who saw the large meaning of events, and as a prophet who read a divine purpose in history. Unlike his younger contemporary Micah, he was, in all probability, an aristocrat; and during his long ministry (740-701 B.C., possibly, but not probably later) he bore testimony, as
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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