‘Ariel’ appears to be another name for Jerusalem and means ‘the hearth of the altar’, which connects it to Jerusalem being an important place of worship. Some scholars believe this chapter was a prophesy written after the fall of the northern kingdom of Israel and as a warning to Jerusalem.

The Lord says that He Himself will camp against this city (v3). This is a shocking statement for a people who took it for granted that the Lord would always be on their side. Instead God speaks of bringing these people low and causing them to bow down (v4). God’s desire for his people is humility.

Yet, the nations that would attack Jerusalem will be like chaff or a dream which soon disappear (v5-8).

God punishes and chastises His people, not because He hates or wants to destroy them, but rather because He loves them and wants to drive the sin out of their midst. One big sin which God always hates is hypocrisy (v13). Jesus quoted this verse (Mark 7 v6-7) when confronting the hypocrisy of the scribes and pharisees. Jesus wants no performance, but rather worship that is sincere and truly from the heart.