Isaiah64

The chapter begins with a fervent plea for God to descend with power, rending the heavens and causing mountains to flow, as He has done in the past. The people confess their universal sinfulness, acknowledging that their righteousnesses are as filthy rags, which has caused God to hide His face. Despite their unworthiness, they appeal to God as their Father and Potter, lamenting the desolation of Zion, Jerusalem, and their holy temple, and beseeching Him not to remain silent in their affliction.

A Prayer for God's Dramatic Presence

1
Didst Thou not rend the heavens? Thou didst come down, From thy presence did mountains flow,
2
(As fire kindleth stubble--Fire causeth water to boil,) To make known Thy name to Thine adversaries, From Thy presence do nations tremble.
3
In Thy doing fearful things--we expect not, Thou didst come down, From Thy presence did mountains flow.
4
Even from antiquity men have not heard, They have not given ear, Eye hath not seen a God save Thee, He doth work for those waiting for Him.
5
Thou hast met with the rejoicer And the doer of righteousness, In Thy ways they remember Thee, Lo, Thou hast been wroth when we sin, By them is continuance, and we are saved.

Confession of Sin and Unworthiness

6
And we are as unclean--all of us, And as a garment passing away, all our righteous acts; And we fade as a leaf--all of us. And our iniquities as wind do take us away.
7
And there is none calling in Thy name, Stirring up himself to lay hold on Thee, For Thou hast hid Thy face from us, And thou meltest us away by our iniquities.

Appeal to God as Father and Potter

8
And now, O Jehovah, thou art our Father, We are the clay, and Thou our Framer, And the work of Thy hand--all of us.
9
Be not wroth, O Jehovah, very sore, Nor for ever remember iniquity, Lo, look attentively, we beseech Thee, Thy people are we all.

Lament Over Jerusalem’s Desolation

10
Thy holy cities have been a wilderness, Zion a wilderness hath been, Jerusalem a desolation.
11
Our holy and our beautiful house, Where praise Thee did our fathers, Hath become burnt with fire, And all our desirable things have become a waste.
12
For these dost Thou refrain Thyself, Jehovah? Thou art silent, and dost afflict us very sore!'
Use ← → arrow keys to navigate
Settings

Reading Style

Typeface

Font Size 19px

Reading Width 45 chars

Options