Isaiah 29:17-24
Chapter 29
Eschatological Salvation
In a very short time, Lebanon will become a fruitful field And the fruitful field will be as a forest.On that day the deaf will hear the words of the book, and out of the dark and obscurity the eyes of the blind will see.
The meek will find joy and the poor among men will rejoice in the Holy One of Israel.
For the tyrant will be no more and the scoffers gone forever, and all who plan to do evil will be cut down—
those who by a word make you guilty, those who for a bribe can lay a snare and send home the just empty-handed.
Therefore the Lord, Abraham’s redeemer, speaks concerning the people of Jacob: No longer will Jacob be ashamed; no longer will his face grow pale.
When he sees the work of my hands, his children again in his midst, they will sanctify my name, they will sanctify the Holy One of Jacob, and stand in awe of the God of Israel.
Those who err in spirit will understand; those who murmur will learn.
Commentaries
Various Oracles.
Chapters 28-33 mainly describe the events caused by the Assyrians between 701 and 691 B.C. Some suggest that a common theme throughout this section is the repeated use of the word “woe” at the beginning of each of the six messages: 28:1; 29:1.15; 30:1; 31:1; 33:1.
Eschatological Salvation.
In this oracle, God predicts the restoration of people. Lebanon symbolizes prosperity as a blessing from God (17). The people’s conversion is shown by the deaf hearing and the blind seeing (18; cf. 35:5; 42:6-7).