Isaiah 64
Isaiah 64 contains prayers in which the people of Israel earnestly cry out, seeking God’s mercy and salvation. This chapter can be divided into two main parts. The first part (verses 1–5) is a plea for God to come and, as in days of old, reveal His miraculous work of salvation. The second part (verses 6–12) confesses the people’s sin and weakness and begs God to turn away His anger and show mercy.
1verseOh that you would tear the heavens, that you would come down, that the mountains might quake at your presence—
2verseas when fire kindles the brushwood, and the fire causes the water to boil. Make your name known to your adversaries, that the nations may tremble at your presence!
3verseWhen you did awesome things which we didn’t look for, you came down, and the mountains quaked at your presence.
4verseFor from of old men have not heard, nor perceived by the ear, nor has the eye seen a God besides you, who works for him who waits for him.
5verseYou meet him who rejoices and does righteousness, those who remember you in your ways. Behold, you were angry, and we sinned. We have been in sin for a long time. Shall we be saved?
6verseFor we have all become like one who is unclean, and all our righteousness is like a polluted garment. We all fade like a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, take us away.
7verseThere is no one who calls on your name, who stirs himself up to take hold of you; for you have hidden your face from us, and have consumed us by means of our iniquities.
8verseBut now, LORD, you are our Father. We are the clay and you our potter. We all are the work of your hand.
9verseDon’t be furious, LORD. Don’t remember iniquity forever. Look and see, we beg you, we are all your people.
10verseYour holy cities have become a wilderness. Zion has become a wilderness, Jerusalem a desolation.
11verseOur holy and our beautiful house where our fathers praised you is burned with fire. All our pleasant places are laid waste.
12verseWill you hold yourself back for these things, LORD? Will you keep silent and punish us very severely?
Summary of Key Content
- Longing for God’s presence (verses 1–3): The people hope that God will come again with power and authority, shaking their enemies and astonishing the world.
- Yearning for God’s will (verses 4–5): They confess their trust that only God will do good for those who wait for Him faithfully.
- Awareness of sin and repentance (verses 6–7): They admit their own sins and uncleanness, and express their helplessness—something they cannot change on their own.
- Appeal to God’s mercy (verses 8–12): They compare Israel to clay and a potter’s hands, pleading for God’s mercy to restore them again.
Points to Ponder
- What meaning does your faith in seeking God’s presence have in my own life?
- How are awareness of sin, repentance, and acknowledgment of my limits expressed in my spiritual journey?
- How are you currently practicing deep trust and humility that puts yourself into the potter’s hands?
Applying It to Me
- Take your difficulties or limitations that you are experiencing, and present them honestly to God in prayer while asking for His mercy.
- Check on your life throughout this coming week, so that the priority of living while truly waiting for and looking to God can be restored.
- Even in failure and weakness, practice a humble attitude of entrusting my change and restoration to God.
