Isaiah 59
Isaiah 59 comprehensively addresses the severing from God caused by the sins of the people of Israel, the resulting social and spiritual darkness, and the promise of salvation that God will provide. The chapter can be divided into three main parts. First, in verses 1-8, it explains that the reason God does not save is because of the people’s sin, and it lists specific forms of wickedness. In the early part of verses 9-15, it describes the negativity, confusion, and lack of justice that fall over society and life as a result of sin. From the latter part of verse 15 to verse 21, God promises that He will put on the garments of salvation Himself and will provide grace and salvation.
1verseBehold, the LORD’s hand is not shortened, that it can’t save; nor his ear dull, that it can’t hear.
2verseBut your iniquities have separated you and your God, and your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear.
3verseFor your hands are defiled with blood, and your fingers with iniquity. Your lips have spoken lies. Your tongue mutters wickedness.
4verseNo one sues in righteousness, and no one pleads in truth. They trust in vanity and speak lies. They conceive mischief and give birth to iniquity.
5verseThey hatch adders’ eggs and weave the spider’s web. He who eats of their eggs dies; and that which is crushed breaks out into a viper.
6verseTheir webs won’t become garments. They won’t cover themselves with their works. Their works are works of iniquity, and acts of violence are in their hands.
7verseTheir feet run to evil, and they hurry to shed innocent blood. Their thoughts are thoughts of iniquity. Desolation and destruction are in their paths.
8verseThey don’t know the way of peace; and there is no justice in their ways. They have made crooked paths for themselves; whoever goes in them doesn’t know peace.
9verseTherefore justice is far from us, and righteousness doesn’t overtake us. We look for light, but see darkness; for brightness, but we walk in obscurity.
10verseWe grope for the wall like the blind. Yes, we grope as those who have no eyes. We stumble at noon as if it were twilight. Among those who are strong, we are like dead men.
11verseWe all roar like bears and moan sadly like doves. We look for justice, but there is none, for salvation, but it is far off from us.
12verseFor our transgressions are multiplied before you, and our sins testify against us; for our transgressions are with us, and as for our iniquities, we know them:
13versetransgressing and denying the LORD, and turning away from following our God, speaking oppression and revolt, conceiving and uttering from the heart words of falsehood.
14verseJustice is turned away backward, and righteousness stands far away; for truth has fallen in the street, and uprightness can’t enter.
15verseYes, truth is lacking; and he who departs from evil makes himself a prey. The LORD saw it, and it displeased him that there was no justice.
16verseHe saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no intercessor. Therefore his own arm brought salvation to him; and his righteousness sustained him.
17verseHe put on righteousness as a breastplate, and a helmet of salvation on his head. He put on garments of vengeance for clothing, and was clad with zeal as a mantle.
18verseAccording to their deeds, he will repay as appropriate: wrath to his adversaries, recompense to his enemies. He will repay the islands their due.
19verseSo they will fear the LORD’s name from the west, and his glory from the rising of the sun; for he will come as a rushing stream, which the LORD’s breath drives.
20verse“A Redeemer will come to Zion, and to those who turn from disobedience in Jacob,” says the LORD.
21verse“As for me, this is my covenant with them,” says the LORD. “My Spirit who is on you, and my words which I have put in your mouth shall not depart out of your mouth, nor out of the mouth of your offspring, nor out of the mouth of your offspring’s offspring,” says the LORD, “from now on and forever.”
Structure and Flow of the Text
- Verses 1-2: Clarifies that God not saving is not due to a lack of power, but because the relationship is blocked by the people’s sin.
- Verses 3-8: Explains that various kinds of wrongdoing appear in the hands and mouth, as well as in thoughts and conduct, and that this causes relationships with neighbors to collapse.
- First half of verses 9-15: Depicts the reality in which, as a result of wickedness, justice, righteousness, and truth disappear from society. Repeatedly mentions darkness, aimless wandering, and a state of emptiness without real security.
- Second half of verse 15-21: Prophesies that God will intervene on His own to bring about justice and salvation. Adds promises concerning the redeemer, the mediator, and God’s Spirit and Word.
The Message of the Whole Chapter
Isaiah 59 depicts vividly how severe the severing from God is, caused by human sin. It shows how sin ruins both individuals and society alike, and that no one can stand fully whole. But despite human incapacity and sin, God Himself intervenes directly and promises that justice and salvation will be restored. It clearly reveals that salvation is based not on human strength, but on God’s grace and sovereignty.
Points for Reflection
- What is getting in the way of my relationship with God?
- I can also reflect on how sin affects me personally and the community, and consider it in my own life.
- Let me remember that God’s salvation is given by His grace, not by my ability.
Apply to Yourself
I can recognize that there is a sinful nature in my words, actions, and thoughts that blocks the relationship between God and people, and I can humbly ask God for forgiveness. I can also decide to live in a way that practices justice and truth, while trusting the grace and salvation that God provides.
