Isaiah 29: Group Study Handout

How to use: read Isaiah 29 aloud together, then take the questions in order. One page is enough for an evening.

Overview

Woe is pronounced to Ariel, the city where David encamped, leading to mourning and lamentation (vv. 1-2). Yahweh declares a siege against Ariel, resulting in humiliation, as the people will be brought low and speak from the ground (vv.

Key verse

“The multitude of all the nations that fight against Ariel, even all who fight against her and her stronghold, and who distress her, will be like a dream, a vision of the night.”
Isaiah 29:7 (WEB)

Outline

Isaiah 29:1–2 Woe to Ariel
Isaiah 29:3–4 Siege and Humiliation
Isaiah 29:5–6 Foes Turned to Dust
Isaiah 29:7–10 Spiritual Blindness
Isaiah 29:11–14 The Sealed Vision
Isaiah 29:15–21 Woe to the Deceptive
Isaiah 29:22–24 Promise of Restoration

Discussion questions

In v3, what military actions does God say He will take against Ariel?
What metaphor is used in v8 to describe the enemies of Mount Zion?
In v13, how does God describe the people's worship and its true nature?
The phrase 'spirit of deep sleep' in v10: what implications does this have for the people's understanding?
When have you felt spiritually 'blind' as described in v9-10?

Go deeper

Passages that echo Isaiah 29: Mark 7, Matthew 15, Isaiah 30.

Before next time: read Isaiah 30.