ישעיהו, פרק כ״ט, פסוק י״ב

A profound spiritual blindness can take hold of a nation, creating a society where divine messages fall on deaf ears across every class. When people no longer wish to hear the truth, they will find any excuse to avoid engaging with it, rendering the word of God completely ineffective.

The primary approach among commentators is that this illustrates a sweeping evasion of prophecy. Society is split, yet united in its refusal to listen. The educated and wise brush off God's messages by claiming they are too cryptic, like a sealed book that cannot be understood. Meanwhile, the simple masses use their lack of education as a shield, arguing that they lack the basic skills to grasp even the most direct and open teachings. As a result, both groups completely ignore the divine call [אבן עזרא, רד״ק, מצודת דוד]. The common people view lofty divine messages as entirely beyond human reach, much like an ordinary person trying to decode the private secrets of a king [מלבי״ם]. Consequently, the unfolding events of the era remain an unsolved puzzle, both for those who attempt to study them and for those who pay no attention at all [ביאור שטיינזלץ].

However, these responses from both the wise and the simple are merely empty excuses meant to hide a much darker reality: a deep rejection of God's teachings and a rebellion against His prophets. The people's religious service has devolved into mere habit and insincere flattery, spoken only with their lips while their hearts remain entirely disconnected. Because of this shallow devotion, their ultimate punishment will be the complete loss of whatever wisdom and understanding they once possessed [אברבנאל].

A unique perspective views this scenario as a metaphor for spiritual warfare and the invocation of angels during times of battle. Just as a person cannot read an unsealed letter if it is written in an unfamiliar language, the heavenly forces will refuse to come to the nation's aid. When called upon, one heavenly prince will claim the decree is sealed and hidden from him, while another will claim total ignorance of the Holy Name being used to command him. In this way, the nation's spiritual defenses are entirely disabled [רש״י].