Oh that thou wouldest rend the heavens, that thou wouldest come down, that the mountains might flow down at thy presence,
As when the melting fire burneth, the fire causeth the waters to boil, to make thy name known to thine adversaries, that the nations may tremble at thy presence!
When thou didst terrible things which we looked not for, thou camest down, the mountains flowed down at thy presence.
For since the beginning of the world men have not heard, nor perceived by the ear, neither hath the eye seen, O God, beside thee, what he hath prepared for him that waiteth for him.
Thou meetest him that rejoiceth and worketh righteousness, those that remember thee in thy ways: behold, thou art wroth; for we have sinned: in those is continuance, and we shall be saved.
But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.
And there is none that calleth upon thy name, that stirreth up himself to take hold of thee: for thou hast hid thy face from us, and hast consumed us, because of our iniquities.
But now, O Lord, thou art our father; we are the clay, and thou our potter; and we all are the work of thy hand.
Be not wroth very sore, O Lord, neither remember iniquity for ever: behold, see, we beseech thee, we are all thy people.
Thy holy cities are a wilderness, Zion is a wilderness, Jerusalem a desolation.
Our holy and our beautiful house, where our fathers praised thee, is burned up with fire: and all our pleasant things are laid waste.
Wilt thou refrain thyself for these things, O Lord? wilt thou hold thy peace, and afflict us very sore?
Isaiah 64 captures a desperate plea from God's people, likely during a time of exile or impending doom. It's a passage filled with raw emotion, honest confession, and unwavering hope rooted in God's past faithfulness. This chapter provides profound insights into the human condition and the enduring nature of God's love and power.
Remembering God's Past Power (Isaiah 64:1-4)
The people begin with a fervent cry for God to break through the heavens and intervene in their situation (Isaiah 64:1). They yearn for a display of divine power reminiscent of the past, when mountains quaked at His presence (Isaiah 64:3). This longing to witness God's awesome works again highlights a crucial principle: Remembering God's past faithfulness is essential for cultivating faith in the present. Just as the Israelites recalled God's deliverance in the Exodus, we too can draw strength from reflecting on how God has worked in our own lives and in the lives of those who came before us.
This "waiting" on God, however, is not passive. It's not merely sitting idly by. Instead, it's an active, faithful living according to God’s Word, persistently expecting Him to answer in His perfect timing and way. It's about aligning our lives with His agenda while patiently trusting in His sovereignty.
Confessing National Sin (Isaiah 64:5-7)
The people acknowledge the reason for God's apparent inaction: their own sin (Isaiah 64:5). They recognize that their transgressions have created a barrier between themselves and God. This confession is brutally honest: "All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags" (Isaiah 64:6). This stark assessment reveals the depth of their understanding of sin's pervasive influence. It's a powerful reminder that no amount of religious activity or outward piety can atone for a heart that is not fully devoted to God. Confession is indeed good for the soul, as it opens the door to repentance and restoration. No worship or prayer for deliverance will help if we continue to live for our own glory.
Appealing to God's Faithfulness (Isaiah 64:8-12)
Despite their acknowledged sin, the people cling to the hope that God will intervene. Their plea is grounded in the unwavering truth that "Yet you, LORD, are our Father" (Isaiah 64:8). This intimate declaration acknowledges God's covenant relationship with His people. They remind God of their frailty and their need for His intervention, appealing to His love for His people and His holy land.
The prayer concludes with an urgent question: "After all this, LORD, will you hold yourself back? Will you keep quiet and punish us beyond measure?" (Isaiah 64:12). This is a desperate cry for God to manifest His power, remember their suffering, and rescue them before it is too late. It reflects a heart that is both repentant and hopeful, acknowledging the consequences of sin while trusting in God's mercy and faithfulness. They are asking God to make His power manifest to His enemies, remember His people’s afflictions, and rescue them before they are beyond recovery.
Isaiah 64 is a powerful reminder of the importance of remembering God's past faithfulness, confessing our sins, and appealing to His unwavering love and power. It is a prayer that resonates across generations, offering hope and encouragement to all who seek God's intervention in times of need.
Oh that thou wouldest rend the heavens, that thou wouldest come down, that the mountains might flow down at thy presence,
As when the melting fire burneth, the fire causeth the waters to boil, to make thy name known to thine adversaries, that the nations may tremble at thy presence!
When thou didst terrible things which we looked not for, thou camest down, the mountains flowed down at thy presence.
For since the beginning of the world men have not heard, nor perceived by the ear, neither hath the eye seen, O God, beside thee, what he hath prepared for him that waiteth for him.
Thou meetest him that rejoiceth and worketh righteousness, those that remember thee in thy ways: behold, thou art wroth; for we have sinned: in those is continuance, and we shall be saved.
But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.
And there is none that calleth upon thy name, that stirreth up himself to take hold of thee: for thou hast hid thy face from us, and hast consumed us, because of our iniquities.
But now, O Lord, thou art our father; we are the clay, and thou our potter; and we all are the work of thy hand.
Be not wroth very sore, O Lord, neither remember iniquity for ever: behold, see, we beseech thee, we are all thy people.
Thy holy cities are a wilderness, Zion is a wilderness, Jerusalem a desolation.
Our holy and our beautiful house, where our fathers praised thee, is burned up with fire: and all our pleasant things are laid waste.
Wilt thou refrain thyself for these things, O Lord? wilt thou hold thy peace, and afflict us very sore?
Isaiah 64 captures a desperate plea from God's people, likely during a time of exile or impending doom. It's a passage filled with raw emotion, honest confession, and unwavering hope rooted in God's past faithfulness. This chapter provides profound insights into the human condition and the enduring nature of God's love and power.
Remembering God's Past Power (Isaiah 64:1-4)
The people begin with a fervent cry for God to break through the heavens and intervene in their situation (Isaiah 64:1). They yearn for a display of divine power reminiscent of the past, when mountains quaked at His presence (Isaiah 64:3). This longing to witness God's awesome works again highlights a crucial principle: Remembering God's past faithfulness is essential for cultivating faith in the present. Just as the Israelites recalled God's deliverance in the Exodus, we too can draw strength from reflecting on how God has worked in our own lives and in the lives of those who came before us.
This "waiting" on God, however, is not passive. It's not merely sitting idly by. Instead, it's an active, faithful living according to God’s Word, persistently expecting Him to answer in His perfect timing and way. It's about aligning our lives with His agenda while patiently trusting in His sovereignty.
Confessing National Sin (Isaiah 64:5-7)
The people acknowledge the reason for God's apparent inaction: their own sin (Isaiah 64:5). They recognize that their transgressions have created a barrier between themselves and God. This confession is brutally honest: "All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags" (Isaiah 64:6). This stark assessment reveals the depth of their understanding of sin's pervasive influence. It's a powerful reminder that no amount of religious activity or outward piety can atone for a heart that is not fully devoted to God. Confession is indeed good for the soul, as it opens the door to repentance and restoration. No worship or prayer for deliverance will help if we continue to live for our own glory.
Appealing to God's Faithfulness (Isaiah 64:8-12)
Despite their acknowledged sin, the people cling to the hope that God will intervene. Their plea is grounded in the unwavering truth that "Yet you, LORD, are our Father" (Isaiah 64:8). This intimate declaration acknowledges God's covenant relationship with His people. They remind God of their frailty and their need for His intervention, appealing to His love for His people and His holy land.
The prayer concludes with an urgent question: "After all this, LORD, will you hold yourself back? Will you keep quiet and punish us beyond measure?" (Isaiah 64:12). This is a desperate cry for God to manifest His power, remember their suffering, and rescue them before it is too late. It reflects a heart that is both repentant and hopeful, acknowledging the consequences of sin while trusting in God's mercy and faithfulness. They are asking God to make His power manifest to His enemies, remember His people’s afflictions, and rescue them before they are beyond recovery.
Isaiah 64 is a powerful reminder of the importance of remembering God's past faithfulness, confessing our sins, and appealing to His unwavering love and power. It is a prayer that resonates across generations, offering hope and encouragement to all who seek God's intervention in times of need.