Isaiah 28:12

KJV

To whom he said, This [is] the rest [wherewith] ye may cause the weary to rest; and this [is] the refreshing: yet they would not hear.

KJV (with Strong's)

To whom he said {H559}, This is the rest {H4496} wherewith ye may cause the weary {H5889} to rest {H5117}; and this is the refreshing {H4774}: yet they would {H14} not hear {H8085}.

Complete Jewish Bible

He once told this people, "It's time to rest, the exhausted can rest, now you can relax" - but they wouldn't listen.

Berean Standard Bible

to whom He has said: “This is the place of rest, let the weary rest; this is the place of repose.” But they would not listen.

American Standard Version

to whom he said, This is the rest, give ye rest to him that is weary; and this is the refreshing: yet they would not hear.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Isaiah 28:12 powerfully articulates God's gracious and compassionate offer of profound spiritual and national rest and refreshing to the weary and rebellious people of Judah, particularly their scoffing leaders. Despite the impending judgment resulting from their reliance on human wisdom and misguided alliances, God reveals His provision as the sole source of genuine peace and restoration. This divine tranquility was intended not only for their own holistic well-being but also to empower them to bring solace to others. Tragically, in their stubbornness and spiritual deafness, the people actively refused to heed this tender divine invitation, choosing instead to pursue their own destructive paths.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Isaiah 28 initiates a new cycle of "Woes" (chapters 28-33), shifting the prophetic focus from the northern kingdom of Israel (Ephraim) to the southern kingdom of Judah, specifically its complacent and corrupt leaders in Jerusalem. The preceding verses (Isaiah 28:1-6) pronounce a severe judgment upon Ephraim for its pride, spiritual drunkenness, and impending fall. Isaiah 28:7-13 then directly addresses Judah's similar spiritual blindness and moral decay, vividly portraying its priests and prophets as staggering from wine and scoffing at God's simple, repetitive instruction, which they dismiss as "precept upon precept, line upon line" (see [Isaiah 28:10](/isaiah/28-10 "Isaiah 28:10 - Precept Upon Precept")). Verse 12 stands as a poignant divine interjection, a merciful and tender offer of true solace and security amidst the condemnation of their false confidence. It immediately precedes the leaders' defiant boast of having made a "covenant with death" (see [Isaiah 28:15](/isaiah/28-15 "Isaiah 28:15 - The Covenant with Death")) and God's subsequent promise of a "tried stone" as a sure foundation (see [Isaiah 28:16](/isaiah/28-16 "Isaiah 28:16 - The Precious Cornerstone")). This verse profoundly highlights God's persistent grace and unwavering compassion even in the face of profound human rebellion and impending judgment.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The historical backdrop for Isaiah 28 is the tumultuous 8th century BCE, a period dominated by the relentless rise of the Assyrian Empire. The northern kingdom of Israel was already on the brink of collapse, eventually falling to Assyria in 722 BCE. Judah, the southern kingdom, faced immense geopolitical pressure and was caught between the existential Assyrian threat and the temptation to forge deceptive alliances with Egypt or other regional powers for security. The leaders in Jerusalem, rather than placing their trust in Yahweh, were deeply entrenched in political maneuvering, moral corruption, and spiritual apathy. The prophet Isaiah consistently condemned their reliance on human strength, their revelry, and their blatant rejection of God's covenant. The "rest" and "refreshing" offered by God in this verse stand in stark contrast to the false sense of security and fleeting pleasures that these leaders sought in their drunkenness and misguided political strategies, which were ultimately leading them to exhaustion, ruin, and divine judgment.
* **Key Themes:** This verse encapsulates several major theological and narrative themes prevalent throughout the book of Isaiah and the broader prophetic literature. First, it underscores the theme of **Divine Grace and Invitation**, demonstrating God's enduring compassion and persistent desire to offer a path to genuine peace and security, even to a rebellious people despite their profound sin. Second, it highlights the profound contrast between **True vs. False Security**, where God's provision of "rest" and "refreshing" stands in stark opposition to the deceptive and ultimately destructive "covenant with death" (see [Isaiah 28:15](/isaiah/28-15 "Isaiah 28:15 - The Covenant with Death")) that Judah's leaders had foolishly forged. Third, the tragic phrase "yet they would not hear" powerfully conveys the theme of **Human Rebellion and Stubbornness**, a recurring motif throughout the Old Testament where God's people repeatedly reject His wisdom and counsel, leading inevitably to their downfall (e.g., [Jeremiah 7:24](/jeremiah/7-24 "Jeremiah 7:24 - Stubborn Hearts")). Finally, the verse subtly touches on the theme of **Prophetic Warning and Hope**, as Isaiah, through divine inspiration, delivers both a stern rebuke and a tender invitation, foreshadowing the ultimate, Christ-centered source of true rest.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **rest (Hebrew, _mᵉnûwchâh'_):** From H4496, this term signifies more than a mere cessation from labor; it conveys a profound sense of settled repose, deep tranquility, security, and a comfortable dwelling place. In this context, it refers to the holistic spiritual and national peace that God desired for His people, a state of secure well-being derived from trusting and obeying Him. It stands in sharp contrast to the turmoil and instability of their self-reliant ways.
* **weary (Hebrew, _ʻâyêph'_):** From H5889, this word describes a state of being languid, faint, or thirsty. It paints a vivid picture of exhaustion, not just physically but spiritually and emotionally, reflecting the condition of those burdened by sin, false hopes, and the futility of their own efforts, whom God intended to refresh and revitalize.
* **not hear (Hebrew, _shâmaʻ'_):** From H8085, this is a crucial word that means "to hear intelligently," often implying attention, understanding, and obedience. The phrase "yet they would not hear" (which also incorporates H14, _ʼâbâh_, meaning "to be willing" or "consent") indicates that their failure was not a passive inability to perceive or comprehend, but an active, deliberate unwillingness to listen, understand, and, most critically, obey God's clear and gracious instruction.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"To whom he said":** This opening clause unequivocally establishes God as the divine speaker, addressing His people—specifically the leaders and inhabitants of Judah—through the prophetic voice of Isaiah. It underscores the divine origin and authoritative nature of the message, emphasizing that this is a direct communication from the Sovereign Lord, not merely human counsel.
* **"This is the rest wherewith ye may cause the weary to rest":** God identifies His divine instruction, His covenant, and His ways as the exclusive source of true `mᵉnûwchâh` (rest). This rest is presented as not merely for their personal benefit but as so abundant and transformative that it would enable them to become conduits of solace and genuine peace to others who are `ʻâyêph` (weary, languid, faint). This points to a holistic well-being that flows outward, impacting and restoring the community.
* **"and this is the refreshing":** Parallel to the concept of "rest," this clause introduces `margêʻâh` (refreshing), signifying renewed strength, comfort, and restoration. It powerfully underscores the revitalizing and comforting effect of God's presence and guidance, offering a complete and perfect antidote to the spiritual, emotional, and national exhaustion experienced by His people.
* **"yet they would not hear":** This tragic and poignant conclusion reveals the people's stubborn and deliberate rebellion. Despite the clarity, compassion, and profound benefit of God's offer, they actively chose not to `shâmaʻ` (hear intelligently and obey). Their unwillingness to consent to God's path of peace and trust ultimately sealed their fate, leading them away from the very source of their desired security and well-being.

#### Literary Devices
Isaiah 28:12 masterfully employs several literary devices to convey its profound and poignant message. **Parallelism** is prominently evident in the balanced phrasing, "This is the rest... and this is the refreshing," which effectively emphasizes the dual and comprehensive nature of God's provision for His people's holistic well-being. A stark **Contrast** is powerfully drawn between God's gracious and life-giving offer of peace and the people's stubborn, self-destructive rejection, highlighting the tragic consequences of human rebellion against divine wisdom. The terms "rest" and "refreshing" function as rich **Metaphors** for a state of profound spiritual, national, and personal security, tranquility, and renewal that only God can provide, standing in direct opposition to the "weariness" which metaphorically represents the spiritual, moral, and emotional exhaustion resulting from their sin and misguided pursuits. There is also a profound element of **Irony** in the fact that the people, exhausted by their own futile efforts and false alliances, defiantly reject the very source of true rest and revitalization that God freely and compassionately offers.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Isaiah 28:12 profoundly reveals God's consistent character as a gracious provider of rest and solace, a theme deeply woven throughout biblical history. From the foundational creation Sabbath (see [Genesis 2:2-3](/genesis/2-2-3 "Genesis 2:2-3 - God Rests on the Seventh Day")) to the promise of the land of Canaan as a place of rest for Israel (see [Deuteronomy 12:9-10](/deuteronomy/12-9-10 "Deuteronomy 12:9-10 - Rest in the Land")), God continually offers His people a secure dwelling and spiritual tranquility rooted in His presence and covenant. The tragedy of this verse lies in the people's repeated failure to enter into this divine rest due to their persistent disobedience and hardened hearts, a pattern seen consistently throughout Israel's history. God's rest is not merely a passive cessation from activity but an active state of trusting reliance on Him, leading to holistic well-being and the capacity to extend that peace and comfort to others. Their refusal to hear underscores the critical importance of attentive obedience to God's voice as the indispensable prerequisite for experiencing His promised rest.

* [Psalm 95:7-11](/psalms/95-7-11 "Psalm 95:7-11 - Do Not Harden Your Hearts")
* [Jeremiah 6:16](/jeremiah/6-16 "Jeremiah 6:16 - Stand in the Ways and See")
* [Hebrews 4:1-11](/hebrews/4-1-11 "Hebrews 4:1-11 - Entering God's Rest")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Isaiah 28:12 serves as a timeless mirror, reflecting the perennial human tendency to seek rest and security in fleeting, self-devised solutions rather than in God's unchanging truth and wisdom. In our modern world, we often find ourselves profoundly weary from the relentless pursuit of success, material possessions, social validation, or even spiritual performance, only to discover that these avenues lead to deeper exhaustion and dissatisfaction. God's compassionate invitation to "rest" and "refreshing" remains wide open, urging us to lay down the heavy burdens of self-reliance, crippling anxiety, and endless striving. True spiritual vitality and inner peace are found only when we cease from our own works and wholeheartedly heed God's voice, trusting implicitly in His sovereign provision and perfect wisdom. Furthermore, the verse challenges us to honestly consider if we, like ancient Judah, are "unwilling to hear" God's gentle call, perhaps preferring the familiar chaos of our own making to the transformative peace and profound rest He offers. Embracing God's rest not only renews and revitalizes us personally but also empowers us to become authentic agents of His peace, capable of ministering genuine solace and hope to others who are weary and burdened in a world desperately searching for true rest.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What are the "wearinesses" in my life—spiritual, emotional, or physical—that God is inviting me to lay down and find rest in Him?**
* **In what specific areas might I be "unwilling to hear" God's voice today, perhaps preferring my own solutions, worldly comforts, or familiar patterns of behavior over His guidance?**
* **How can I actively listen for and obey God's voice this week, allowing His "rest" and "refreshing" to transform me and enable me to minister to others who are weary and in need of solace?**

### FAQ
**What does "the rest wherewith ye may cause the weary to rest" mean?**

Answer: This phrase highlights the overflowing and generative nature of God's provision. It implies that the "rest" God offers is not merely a personal solace or a cessation of individual striving, but a profound, holistic well-being that empowers those who receive it to become channels of peace and restoration to others. When God's people genuinely enter into His rest through faith and obedience, they are not only renewed themselves but are also equipped to minister to the "weary" around them—those burdened by sin, anxiety, the futility of life without God, or the exhaustion of their own efforts. It speaks to a transformative power that extends beyond individual experience to impact the community and the world with divine peace.

**Why did they "not hear" God's gracious offer?**

Answer: Their refusal was not a passive inability to understand or comprehend, but an active and deliberate unwillingness to listen, internalize, and obey. This spiritual deafness stemmed from a complex interplay of factors: profound spiritual pride, a deep-seated self-sufficiency, and a preference for human wisdom and political alliances over divine counsel. They had hardened their hearts through persistent sin, idolatry, and a rejection of God's covenant, making them unreceptive to the simple yet demanding path of trust and obedience that God offered. This stubborn rebellion is a recurring and tragic theme throughout the prophetic books, demonstrating humanity's persistent tendency to reject God's life-giving truth (e.g., [Jeremiah 7:24](/jeremiah/7-24 "Jeremiah 7:24 - Walking in the Imagination of Their Evil Heart")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Isaiah 28:12 finds its ultimate and glorious fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The "rest" and "refreshing" that ancient Israel tragically rejected are perfectly embodied and freely offered in Him. While the Old Testament pointed to a Sabbath rest and a physical land of promise, these were but shadows and types of the true spiritual and eternal rest found exclusively in Christ. He is the "tried stone" and "precious cornerstone" prophesied later in [Isaiah 28:16](/isaiah/28-16 "Isaiah 28:16 - The Precious Cornerstone"), the sure and unshakeable foundation upon whom all who believe can build their lives and find absolute security. Jesus Himself extends the very invitation that Israel refused, declaring, "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest" ([Matthew 11:28](/matthew/11-28 "Matthew 11:28 - Jesus' Invitation to Rest")). He provides rest from the crushing burden of sin and the demands of the law, from the futility of self-righteousness, and from the anxieties of a fallen world. Through His finished work on the cross, He became our Sabbath, our ultimate source of peace and profound spiritual renewal. By faith in Him, we enter into God's promised rest, as powerfully articulated in [Hebrews 4](/hebrews/4 "Hebrews 4 - The Promise of Rest"), where the author urges believers to strive to enter that rest, lest they fall after the example of Israel's disobedience. Jesus is the one who truly causes the weary to rest, offering not just a temporary reprieve but an eternal, soul-deep refreshing that transforms us and enables us to extend His peace to a weary world.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Matthew 11:28

Come unto me, all [ye] that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

Matthew 11:29

Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

Isaiah 30:15

For thus saith the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel; In returning and rest shall ye be saved; in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength: and ye would not.

Jeremiah 6:16

Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where [is] the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk [therein].

Jeremiah 44:16

[As for] the word that thou hast spoken unto us in the name of the LORD, we will not hearken unto thee.

Isaiah 11:10

¶ And in that day there shall be a root of Jesse, which shall stand for an ensign of the people; to it shall the Gentiles seek: and his rest shall be glorious.

Hebrews 12:25

See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, much more [shall not] we [escape], if we turn away from him that [speaketh] from heaven: