Isaiah - commentary - interpretation - meaning
The Book of Isaiah contains the prophecies of the prophet Isaiah. The book is divided into three main sections, covering the periods before, during, and after the Babylonian exile. Isaiah calls for repentance and spiritual renewal, warning of the consequences of sin and unfaithfulness to God. The prophet also foretells the coming of the Messiah.
Isaiah chapter 44:9-20
interpretation - meaning - commentary - explanation
Let me state strongly and clearly at the outset: this chapter is nothing more than a description of the disregard for the second commandment contained in Exodus 20.4-6 " Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me."
Isaiah chapter 44:
(9) They that make a graven image are all of them vanity; and their delectable things shall not profit; and they are their own witnesses; they see not, nor know; that they may be ashamed.
Read more: Isaiah chapter 44:9-20, Figures and statues forbidden by God
Isaiah, chapter 31
interpretation - meaning - commentary - explanation
(1) Woe to them that go down to Egypt for help; and stay on horses, and trust in chariots, because they are many; and in horsemen, because they are very strong; but they look not unto the Holy One of Israel, neither seek the LORD!
Israel as the chosen people was to rely on the Lord, not on other nations or its own strength. The Jews turned away from God, preferring to form an alliance with Egypt to fight Assyria together. God warned them not to accumulate too many horses (Deuteronomy 17.16 "But he shall not multiply horses to himself, nor cause the people to return to Egypt, to the end that he should multiply horses: forasmuch as the LORD hath said unto you, Ye shall henceforth return no more that way.") Horses were mainly used in large armies, to pull chariots, war wagons and all the goods necessary for warfare. The country was moving toward militarism, choosing its own power and alliances thereby abandoning God.
Isaiah, chapter 29
interpretation - meaning - commentary - explanation
(1) Woe to Ariel, to Ariel, the city where David dwelt! add ye year to year; let them kill sacrifices. (2) Yet I will distress Ariel, and there shall be heaviness and sorrow: and it shall be unto me as Ariel. (3) And I will camp against thee round about, and will lay siege against thee with a mount, and I will raise forts against thee.
The city where David camped was Jerusalem. The action takes place many years after the king's death. At that time the Jews celebrated the holidays only ceremonially, spiritually they were elsewhere, which only compounded their decline. Israel was about to be attacked by Assyria. Because of their sinful lives, God would allow them to do what they wanted, which was to rely on themselves and ally with Egypt.
Read more: Isaiah chapter 29, Jerusalem is Warned, Blessing after Discipline
