Ariel translated means “lion of God.” The prophet called it the city where David once camped. He was certainly referencing the city of Jerusalem, a city associated with David, who made it the capital of Israel. This was the place David prominently operated from. But now Isaiah said that Jerusalem would be a city in despair because she would soon be a city under siege. God, Himself would bring about the distress and it would be a city in deep grieving and mourning. In fact, she would be made an altar of sacrifice. In a play of word, the “Ariel” that appears in the latter part of verse 2 meant an “altar hearth.” It was translated as “altar hearth” in Ezekiel 43:15. What Isaiah meant to say was that Jerusalem, the lion of God, would soon become an altar hearth, an altar of sacrifice.
Despite being a city associated with David, where religious feasts
were celebrated on schedule, Isaiah maintained that she would not have immunity
from the impending discipline of the Lord. And no matter how hard they tried to
appease the Lord with their added feasts, nothing would quell the coming judgment.
God would be setting up siege-works against it. Battle tower would be built against
Jerusalem and she would be brought low. The city would be suppressed and humiliated.
Her subdued and faint voice would rise from the dust of the ground but would hardly
be heard.
God is no respecter of man. Even though Jerusalem was associated
with the king after His own heart, God would still deal with her failure. This is
a clear reminder that God expects us to be responsible and accountable. Just
because we have a great past does not immunize us from discipline when we turn wayward.
The surest way to progress is not to rest on our laurels but to stay truly obedient
to the Lord. Stay abreast with Him!
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