It is easy for us today to get caught up in renewal and re-commitment like the people of Hezekiah’s day.  We can soon slip back into the old ways if we are not careful to maintain that renewal and re-commitment. The slipping is so subtle that we might miss it. Isaiah warns the people of this danger.

Isaiah also continues to condemn spiritual leaders who are so consumed with the world that they don’t hear the voice of God. He continues to condemn meaningless worship. What does that look like in our churches today? People go through the motions of ritualistic worship…rituals that are made by men. Our focus becomes the ritual and we neglect to worship Him in the “splendor of his holiness”.

Unfaithfulness doesn't happen overnight, "...a little here, a little there..." .  

"Their worship of me is made up only of rules taught by men."

A person's perception of the Word of God is distorted when the worship is founded on traditions of men.  When this happens, "...we have made a lie our refuge and falsehood our hiding place."  We hold on to a lie and don't see the truth.  

Isaiah pronounces "Woe..."  to those who let their "cycle of festivals go on."  Can we make an application to the pagan festivals today?

In Isaiah 29:5-8 is a pronouncement against the oppressors.  The description reminds us of "cotton candy" preaching and teaching with no substance.  Woe to you, O destroyer (see Rev 7:11 as to who the destroyer is).

But, as always there is this great promise of restoration and the coming of Jesus, the Messiah, the precious cornerstone, that sure foundation.

What prophetic words for today, “For you this whole vision is nothing but words sealed in a scroll…”

If we do not faithfully and frequently communicate with Him, if we do not know Him intimately and personally, His Words are just “words”. They have no meaning for us. We should approach the reading of God’s Word with “holy expectation”.