Isaiah 29:17

17 Isn't [it true that] in just a little while Lebanon will become an orchard, and the orchard will seem like a forest?

Isaiah 29:17 Meaning and Commentary

Isaiah 29:17

[Is] it not yet a very little while
In a short space of time, in a few years, what follows would come to pass; when there would be a strange change and alteration made in the world, and by which it would appear, that the Lord not only knows, but foreknows, all things: and Lebanon shall be turned into a fruitful field;
the forest of Lebanon should be as Carmel. The meaning is, that the Gentile world, which was like a forest uncultivated, and full of unfruitful trees, to which wicked men may be compared, should through the preaching of the Gospel be manured, become God's husbandry, and be like a fruitful field, abounding with people and churches, fruitful in grace and good works: and the fruitful field shall be esteemed as a forest?
the people of the Jews, who once had the word and ordinances of God, and were a fruitful and flourishing people in religion; through their rejection of the Messiah, and contempt of his Gospel, should be deprived of all their privileges, and become like a forest or barren land: this was fulfilled, when the kingdom of God was taken from them, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits of it, ( Matthew 21:43 ) . See ( Isaiah 32:15 ) ( Isaiah 35:1 Isaiah 35:2 ) .

Isaiah 29:17 In-Context

15 Woe to those who go to great lengths to hide their plans from the Lord. [They do] their works in darkness, and say, "Who sees us? Who knows us?"

16 You have turned things around, as if the potter were the same as the clay. How can what is made say about its maker, "He didn't make me"? How can what is formed say about the one who formed it, "He doesn't understand [what he's doing]"?

17 Isn't [it true that] in just a little while Lebanon will become an orchard, and the orchard will seem like a forest?

18 On that day the deaf will hear the words of a document, and out of a deep darkness the eyes of the blind will see.

19 The humble will have joy after joy in the Lord, and the poor people will rejoice in the Holy One of Israel.