"Ariel," or lioness of Jehovah, which is Israel, will be under the siege of all nations. The Lord will cause this final siege to surround His people in order to complete the full work in their souls, humbling them and taking away the pride which will remain, for there will still be the spirit of the Pharisee in them. They will not have learned as yet the spirit of dependence and obedience to Jehovah, but will be willing in the day of their final blessing and His power. They are told to enter into their chambers and shut their doors about them until the indignation is past.
In a period of forty-five days Israel will pass through deep testings, learning lessons which were never known before. "They also that erred in spirit shall come to understanding, and they that murmured shall learn doctrine."
Dan. 12:7-137And I heard the man clothed in linen, which was upon the waters of the river, when he held up his right hand and his left hand unto heaven, and sware by him that liveth for ever that it shall be for a time, times, and an half; and when he shall have accomplished to scatter the power of the holy people, all these things shall be finished. 8And I heard, but I understood not: then said I, O my Lord, what shall be the end of these things? 9And he said, Go thy way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end. 10Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand. 11And from the time that the daily sacrifice shall be taken away, and the abomination that maketh desolate set up, there shall be a thousand two hundred and ninety days. 12Blessed is he that waiteth, and cometh to the thousand three hundred and five and thirty days. 13But go thou thy way till the end be: for thou shalt rest, and stand in thy lot at the end of the days. (Daniel 12:7‑13) Dan. 12:11,1211And from the time that the daily sacrifice shall be taken away, and the abomination that maketh desolate set up, there shall be a thousand two hundred and ninety days. 12Blessed is he that waiteth, and cometh to the thousand three hundred and five and thirty days. (Daniel 12:11‑12) Isa. 29:2424They also that erred in spirit shall come to understanding, and they that murmured shall learn doctrine. (Isaiah 29:24)
Thus, the result of the siege will teach the remnant the necessary inward instruction to make them willing in the day of Jehovah's power, the millennium.
Jerusalem will be a cup of trembling to all who lay siege to it. The enemy will surely have remembered how Judah had been delivered at the last hour when the Lord saw that their power was gone and there was none shut up nor left.
The Lord will rebuke Israel for the rebellious spirit that desires to go to Egypt for help, and they will be told that their strength is to sit still. "In returning and rest shall ye be saved; in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength: and ye would not."
In fear some do go down to Egypt for help not knowing that the enemy has already conquered Egypt. They will be reminded that the Egyptians are men and not God.
The Lord will wait, patiently, and the siege will continue until Israel is subdued and He can have mercy upon them. "The bread of adversity and the water of affliction" will continue until their teachers are seen giving Jehovah's mind for them, so they will, learn the right way. "This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand and when ye turn to the left."
Isa. 30:1818And therefore will the Lord wait, that he may be gracious unto you, and therefore will he be exalted, that he may have mercy upon you: for the Lord is a God of judgment: blessed are all they that wait for him. (Isaiah 30:18) Isa. 30:20,2120And though the Lord give you the bread of adversity, and the water of affliction, yet shall not thy teachers be removed into a corner any more, but thine eyes shall see thy teachers: 21And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left. (Isaiah 30:20‑21)
We, as well as Israel, will have to learn that when danger or trial comes the Lord will deal with the enemy who will be as chaff before Him. The Lord will both deliver and preserve His people.