Isaiah 26:11

LORD, [when] thy hand is lifted up, they will not see: [but] they shall see, and be ashamed for [their] envy at the people; yea, the fire of thine enemies shall devour them.

LORD {H3068}, when thy hand {H3027} is lifted up {H7311}, they will not see {H2372}: but they shall see {H2372}, and be ashamed {H954} for their envy {H7068} at the people {H5971}; yea, the fire {H784} of thine enemies {H6862} shall devour {H398} them.

ADONAI, you raised your hand, but they still didn't see. Yet with shame they will see your zeal for the people. Yes, fire will destroy your enemies.

O LORD, Your hand is upraised, but they do not see it. They will see Your zeal for Your people and be put to shame. The fire set for Your enemies will consume them!

Jehovah, thy hand is lifted up, yet they see not: but they shall seethyzeal for the people, and be put to shame; yea, fire shall devour thine adversaries.

Commentary

Isaiah 26:11 delivers a powerful prophetic warning and assurance within a larger song of trust and triumph for God's people. This verse speaks to the spiritual blindness of the wicked and their eventual, unavoidable confrontation with God's justice.

Context

This verse is part of a prophetic song (Isaiah 26:1-19) expressing the confidence and hope of God's people in His ultimate victory and righteous rule. It contrasts the secure peace of those who trust in the Lord with the downfall of the wicked. Chapters 24-27 of Isaiah are often referred to as the "Little Apocalypse," detailing God's judgment on the earth and the establishment of His kingdom. Isaiah 26:11 specifically addresses the fate of those who oppose God and His chosen nation, highlighting their stubborn refusal to acknowledge divine activity.

Key Themes

  • Divine Judgment and Justice: The "lifted hand" of the LORD signifies His active intervention and impending judgment against those who defy Him. This judgment is not arbitrary but a just response to their wickedness and envy.
  • Spiritual Blindness: Initially, the wicked "will not see" God's hand at work, remaining oblivious or dismissive of His power and purposes. This highlights a profound spiritual insensitivity and rebellion, often seen in those who reject divine truth.
  • Inevitable Revelation and Shame: Despite their initial blindness, a time will come when they "shall see" and be utterly ashamed. This seeing implies a forced recognition of God's sovereignty and the vindication of His people. Their shame stems from their envy and hostility towards God's chosen ones.
  • Consequences of Enmity: The phrase "the fire of thine enemies shall devour them" vividly portrays the devastating and consuming nature of God's wrath upon those who are His adversaries. This is a direct consequence of their antagonism and refusal to repent.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "thy hand is lifted up" (ื™ึธื“ึฐืšึธ ื ึธืฉื‚ึธืึธื” - yadkha nasa'ah) is a common biblical idiom for God's powerful action, often in judgment or deliverance. The contrast between "will not see" and "shall see" emphasizes a shift from willful ignorance to forced recognition. The term "envy" (ืงึดื ึฐืึธื” - qin'ah) here refers to a zealous, often hostile, jealousy or indignation directed at God's people, stemming from their privileged relationship with the Lord and His blessings upon them.

Related Scriptures

  • The concept of spiritual blindness is also explored in the New Testament, such as when Jesus speaks of those who "see not" in John 9:39, or Paul describes how the god of this world blinds the minds of unbelievers in 2 Corinthians 4:4.
  • God's righteous judgment and the vindication of His people are recurring themes throughout Scripture. For instance, Psalm 9:8 affirms that the Lord judges the world in righteousness, and the ultimate triumph of God's chosen is depicted in Isaiah 60:14.
  • The imagery of "fire" as a symbol of divine judgment is prevalent, as seen in Malachi 4:1 which speaks of the day that "shall burn as an oven."

Practical Application

Isaiah 26:11 serves as a stark reminder that God's justice will ultimately prevail. For those who are spiritually discerning, it is an encouragement to trust in the Lord's plan, even when His hand seems hidden or His justice delayed. For those who oppose God or remain indifferent, it is a sober warning that willful ignorance cannot forever shield one from the consequences of their actions. Eventually, all will be forced to acknowledge God's sovereignty. This verse calls believers to live righteously, knowing that their vindication is assured, and warns unbelievers to repent before the day of reckoning arrives.

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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Hebrews 10:27

    But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.

  • Isaiah 5:24

    Therefore as the fire devoureth the stubble, and the flame consumeth the chaff, [so] their root shall be as rottenness, and their blossom shall go up as dust: because they have cast away the law of the LORD of hosts, and despised the word of the Holy One of Israel.

  • Micah 5:9

    Thine hand shall be lifted up upon thine adversaries, and all thine enemies shall be cut off.

  • Acts 28:27

    For the heart of this people is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes have they closed; lest they should see with [their] eyes, and hear with [their] ears, and understand with [their] heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.

  • Revelation 3:9

    Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee.

  • Jeremiah 44:28

    Yet a small number that escape the sword shall return out of the land of Egypt into the land of Judah, and all the remnant of Judah, that are gone into the land of Egypt to sojourn there, shall know whose words shall stand, mine, or theirs.

  • 2 Thessalonians 1:8

    In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:
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