Isaiah 29:9

"It will be like when a hungry man dreams, and behold, he eats; but he awakes, and his hunger isn’t satisfied; or like when a thirsty man dreams, and behold, he drinks; but he awakes, and behold, he is faint, and he is still thirsty. The multitude of all the nations that fight against Mount Zion will be like that."

Key Reflection

Isaiah 29:9 uses these vivid dreams as a metaphor for false hope and temporary relief. Those who oppose Jerusalem, or God’s people, believe they are securing their position but awaken to find their efforts have been in vain, just as a hungry man's dream of eating fails to satisfy his true need.

From the Scholars: Barnes' Notes

Stay yourselves -Thus far the prophet had given a description of the siege of Jerusalem by Sennacherib, and of his sudden overthrow. He now turns to the Jews, and reproves their stupidity, formality, and hypocrisy; and the remainder of the chapter is occupied with a statement of the prevalence of these sins, of the judgments that must follow, and of the fact that there should yet be an extensive reformation, and turning to the Lord. The word rendered ‘stay yourselves’ (התמהמהוּhı̂temahemehû) means properly “to linger,” tarry, delayGenesis 19:16;Genesis 43:10;2 Samuel 15:28.

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