1 Behold, the LORD's hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear:
2 But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.
3 For your hands are defiled with blood, and your fingers with iniquity; your lips have spoken lies, your tongue hath muttered perverseness.
4 None calleth for justice, nor any pleadeth for truth: they trust in vanity, and speak lies; they conceive mischief, and bring forth iniquity.
5 They hatch cockatrice' eggs, and weave the spider's web: he that eateth of their eggs dieth, and that which is crushed breaketh out into a viper.
6 Their webs shall not become garments, neither shall they cover themselves with their works: their works are works of iniquity, and the act of violence is in their hands.
7 Their feet run to evil, and they make haste to shed innocent blood: their thoughts are thoughts of iniquity; wasting and destruction are in their paths.
8 The way of peace they know not; and there is no judgment in their goings: they have made them crooked paths: whosoever goeth therein shall not know peace.
9 Therefore is judgment far from us, neither doth justice overtake us: we wait for light, but behold obscurity; for brightness, but we walk in darkness.
10 We grope for the wall like the blind, and we grope as if we had no eyes: we stumble at noon day as in the night; we are in desolate places as dead men.
11 We roar all like bears, and mourn sore like doves: we look for judgment, but there is none; for salvation, but it is far off from us.
12 For our transgressions are multiplied before thee, and our sins testify against us: for our transgressions are with us; and as for our iniquities, we know them;
13 In transgressing and lying against the LORD, and departing away from our God, speaking oppression and revolt, conceiving and uttering from the heart words of falsehood.
14 And judgment is turned away backward, and justice standeth afar off: for truth is fallen in the street, and equity cannot enter.
15 Yea, truth faileth; and he that departeth from evil maketh himself a prey: and the LORD saw it, and it displeased him that there was no judgment.
16 And he saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no intercessor: therefore his arm brought salvation unto him; and his righteousness, it sustained him.
17 For he put on righteousness as a breastplate, and an helmet of salvation upon his head; and he put on the garments of vengeance for clothing, and was clad with zeal as a cloak.
18 According to their deeds, accordingly he will repay, fury to his adversaries, recompence to his enemies; to the islands he will repay recompence.
19 So shall they fear the name of the LORD from the west, and his glory from the rising of the sun. When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD shall lift up a standard against him.
20 And the Redeemer shall come to Zion, and unto them that turn from transgression in Jacob, saith the LORD.
21 As for me, this is my covenant with them, saith the LORD; My spirit that is upon thee, and my words which I have put in thy mouth, shall not depart out of thy mouth, nor out of the mouth of thy seed, nor out of the mouth of thy seed's seed, saith the LORD, from henceforth and for ever.
The 59th chapter of Isaiah is a profound and deeply introspective segment of the Bible, wherein the prophet Isaiah delivers a stark message concerning the sins of the people of Israel and the consequent separation from God these transgressions have caused. The chapter is a powerful exploration of themes such as sin, redemption, justice, and divine intervention.
The chapter begins with an affirmation of God's might and omnipotence, asserting that the Lord's hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear. However, the cause of the people's distress and suffering is soon revealed: "But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear."
Isaiah vividly describes the sins of the people in the subsequent verses, using striking imagery to portray their iniquities. He speaks of hands defiled with blood, fingers with iniquity, lips that have spoken lies, and tongues that have muttered perverseness. The perverse and deceitful actions of the people have led to a breakdown of justice and righteousness in the society. The prophet laments that truth has fallen in the street, and equity cannot enter, emphasizing the widespread corruption and moral decay.
Isaiah's portrayal of the people's sin is thorough and unflinching. He presents a society in which the innocent are preyed upon, and the guilty are rewarded. The prophet's words serve as a stark reminder of the consequences of turning away from righteousness and justice.
The consequences of the people's sins are severe: they have been cut off from God's grace and protection. This is a dire situation, as the prophet points out, because without God's guidance and protection, the people are left to their own devices, which leads to further sin and suffering.
The prophet also makes it clear that the people's sins have not only affected their relationship with God but also their relationships with each other. The breakdown of justice and righteousness in society has led to a pervasive sense of mistrust and fear. The prophet describes a society in which no one calls for justice, nor pleads for truth; they trust in vanity and speak lies.
Despite the bleak picture painted in the first half of the chapter, Isaiah goes on to speak of God's intervention. Moved by the people's plight, God sees that there is no man and wonders that there is no intercessor. Therefore, His own arm brings salvation to Him, and His righteousness sustains Him. God then puts on the garments of vengeance and retribution, ready to repay fury to His adversaries and recompense to His enemies.
This is a powerful image of divine intervention, portraying God as a warrior ready to fight for justice and righteousness. It is a reminder that, despite the people's sins, God has not abandoned them and is ready to step in and set things right.
The chapter ends on a note of hope, with a promise of redemption for those who turn back to God. The Lord declares that His Spirit and His words will not depart from the people and their descendants from henceforth and forever. This promise of redemption is a testament to God's enduring love and mercy, even in the face of the people's sins.
In conclusion, Isaiah 59 is a powerful exploration of the themes of sin, justice, divine intervention, and redemption. It serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of turning away from God's ways and a hopeful promise of God's enduring love and mercy. It is a chapter that speaks to the very heart of the human condition, offering a profound reflection on our relationship with God and each other.
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