Read & explore together
Sanctification for the Godly
Isaiah 29:17–24 speaks as prophecy and teaching about a coming change brought by Yahweh. The passage moves from overturned conditions in the land to restored hearing, joy, justice, honour, and understanding among God’s people.
Understanding the passage
The setting of this message
In this passage, Isaiah announces that what now seems fixed will change “in a very little while”. The words describe renewal for the humble and poor, judgement on people who work evil, and a future in which the house of Jacob no longer lives in shame but honours God’s name.
Isaiah 29:17–24Main takeaway
This passage teaches that Yahweh will reverse present wrongs so that his people honour him, learn understanding, and rejoice in him.
Explore the message
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01A great reversal is announcedThe passage begins with a striking picture of change: Lebanon becomes a fruitful field, and the fruitful field is counted as a forest.
Explanation
The passage begins with a striking picture of change: Lebanon becomes a fruitful field, and the fruitful field is counted as a forest. Isaiah does not explain the mechanism here, but the image clearly shows conditions being overturned. What looks established now will not remain the same when Yahweh acts.
02Those in need receive sight, hearing, and joy“In that day” the deaf hear “the words of the book” and the blind see out of darkness. The humble and the poor are then singled out as people whose joy increases in Yahweh.
Explanation
“In that day” the deaf hear “the words of the book” and the blind see out of darkness. The humble and the poor are then singled out as people whose joy increases in Yahweh. The focus is not only changed circumstances, but restored response to God and gladness in the Holy One of Israel.
03Those who twist justice are removedThe reason for this new joy includes the ending of oppression. The ruthless and scoffer cease, and those intent on evil are cut off.
Explanation
The reason for this new joy includes the ending of oppression. The ruthless and scoffer cease, and those intent on evil are cut off. Isaiah then names their actions: using words to bring accusation, trapping a reprover at the gate, and using false testimony to deprive innocent people of justice.
04Jacob will no longer live in shameYahweh, identified here as the one who redeemed Abraham, speaks concerning the house of Jacob.
Explanation
Yahweh, identified here as the one who redeemed Abraham, speaks concerning the house of Jacob. Shame and fear will not define Jacob forever. Instead, when Jacob sees his children as the work of God’s hands, they will sanctify God’s name, honour the Holy One of Jacob, and stand in awe of the God of Israel.
05Those who wandered will be taughtThe final verse adds one more reversal. People who err in spirit will come to understanding, and those who grumble will receive instruction.
Explanation
The final verse adds one more reversal. People who err in spirit will come to understanding, and those who grumble will receive instruction. The passage ends not with confusion, but with learning. God’s future work includes both moral correction and a renewed willingness to receive what is true.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01What changes in this passage show that God can overturn present conditions?
Look for the images of land being transformed and for people moving from darkness, shame, or error into fruitfulness, sight, joy, and understanding.
02Which people are described with hope, and which people are warned?
Compare the humble, poor, and Jacob’s children with the ruthless, scoffer, and those who deprive the innocent of justice.
03According to this passage, what does sanctifying God’s name look like?
Use the wording of the verse itself: the children sanctify his name, sanctify the Holy One of Jacob, and stand in awe of the God of Israel.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
Isaiah 29:17–24
17Isn’t it yet a very little while, and Lebanon will be turned into a fruitful field, and the fruitful field will be regarded as a forest?
18In that day, the deaf will hear the words of the book, and the eyes of the blind will see out of obscurity and out of darkness.
19The humble also will increase their joy in Yahweh, and the poor among men will rejoice in the Holy One of Israel.
20For the ruthless is brought to nothing, and the scoffer ceases, and all those who are alert to do evil are cut off—
21who cause a person to be indicted by a word, and lay a snare for one who reproves in the gate, and who deprive the innocent of justice with false testimony.
22Therefore Yahweh, who redeemed Abraham, says concerning the house of Jacob: “Jacob shall no longer be ashamed, neither shall his face grow pale.
23But when he sees his children, the work of my hands, in the middle of him, they will sanctify my name. Yes, they will sanctify the Holy One of Jacob, and will stand in awe of the God of Israel.
24They also who err in spirit will come to understanding, and those who grumble will receive instruction.”