Isaiah 43:24

KJV

Thou hast bought me no sweet cane with money, neither hast thou filled me with the fat of thy sacrifices: but thou hast made me to serve with thy sins, thou hast wearied me with thine iniquities.

KJV (with Strong's)

Thou hast bought {H7069} me no sweet cane {H7070} with money {H3701}, neither hast thou filled {H7301} me with the fat {H2459} of thy sacrifices {H2077}: but thou hast made me to serve {H5647} with thy sins {H2403}, thou hast wearied {H3021} me with thine iniquities {H5771}.

Complete Jewish Bible

You have not spent money to buy me sweet cane or filled me with the fat of your sacrifices. Instead, you have burdened me with your sins and wearied me with your crimes.

Berean Standard Bible

You have not bought Me sweet cane with your silver, nor satisfied Me with the fat of your sacrifices. But you have burdened Me with your sins; you have wearied Me with your iniquities.

American Standard Version

Thou hast bought me no sweet cane with money, neither hast thou filled me with the fat of thy sacrifices; but thou hast burdened me with thy sins, thou hast wearied me with thine iniquities.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Isaiah 43:24 powerfully conveys God's profound disappointment and weariness with His covenant people, Israel. Far from offering Him the costly and sincere worship symbolized by precious "sweet cane" or the choicest "fat of their sacrifices," the nation had instead burdened Him with their persistent and pervasive sins and iniquities. This verse serves as a stark divine lament, highlighting humanity's failure to uphold their covenant responsibilities and underscoring the deep grief and exhaustion that unfaithfulness inflicts upon the Holy God.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within the second major section of the Book of Isaiah (chapters 40-55), often referred to as "The Book of Comfort" or "Deutero-Isaiah." While much of this section emphasizes God's incomparable sovereignty, His role as the only Redeemer, and promises of restoration for His exiled people, chapter 43 specifically interweaves these themes with a poignant reminder of Israel's past and present failures. Following declarations of God's unique identity and His promise to deliver Israel (e.g., [Isaiah 43:1-7](/isaiah/43-1 "Isaiah 43:1-7 - God's Promise of Redemption")), this verse pivots to highlight their spiritual negligence. The immediate juxtaposition with [Isaiah 43:25](/isaiah/43-25 "Isaiah 43:25 - God's Promise to Blot Out Transgressions") is critical, as it immediately follows God's expression of weariness with a declaration of His unwavering grace and willingness to forgive, showcasing the paradoxical nature of divine justice and mercy.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Isaiah prophesied during a tumultuous period for Judah, leading up to and encompassing the Babylonian exile. The people had consistently engaged in idolatry, social injustice, and ritualistic worship devoid of true heart devotion. The references to "sweet cane" (an expensive aromatic imported from distant lands, used in holy anointing oil, as seen in [Exodus 30:23](/exodus/30-23 "Exodus 30:23 - Ingredients for Holy Anointing Oil")) and the "fat of sacrifices" (the choicest part reserved for God, as detailed in [Leviticus 3:16](/leviticus/3-16 "Leviticus 3:16 - The Lord's Portion of the Sacrifice")) speak directly to the sacrificial system and the expectations of genuine, costly worship in ancient Israel. Their failure to offer these signifies not merely a lack of material offerings but a deeper spiritual bankruptcy and a withholding of their best from God, reflecting a widespread cultural and religious apostasy that had plagued the nation for generations.
* **Key Themes:** Isaiah 43:24 contributes significantly to several overarching themes in Isaiah. It underscores the theme of **Israel's Unfaithfulness and Rebellion**, contrasting God's steadfast love and redemptive purpose with their persistent sin. The anthropomorphic language of God being "wearied" highlights the **Grief and Burden of Sin** from a divine perspective, revealing that human disobedience is not merely an abstract violation of law but a personal affront that deeply affects the Holy One. Furthermore, the verse implicitly sets the stage for the theme of **Divine Grace and Forgiveness**, as God's lament over their sin immediately precedes His declaration of blotting out their transgressions (in [Isaiah 43:25](/isaiah/43-25 "Isaiah 43:25 - God's Promise to Blot Out Transgressions")), emphasizing that His ultimate character is one of mercy, even in the face of profound human failure. This tension between divine justice and steadfast love is a hallmark of the prophetic message.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Bought (Hebrew, _qânâh'_):** From H7069, meaning "to procure, especially by purchase; by implication to own." In this context, it refers to the act of acquiring or providing. God is lamenting that Israel has not *acquired* or *provided* Him with the expected offerings, specifically "sweet cane," which was a valuable commodity. This highlights their spiritual negligence and stinginess towards God.
* **Fat (Hebrew, _cheleb'_):** From H2459, meaning "fat, whether literally or figuratively; hence, the richest or choice part." In the Old Testament sacrificial system, the fat was considered the best and most valuable portion of the animal, exclusively reserved for God. Its withholding signifies Israel's failure to offer their choicest devotion and resources to the Lord, indicating a lack of true reverence and commitment.
* **Wearied (Hebrew, _yâgaʻ'_):** From H3021, a primitive root meaning "to gasp; hence, to be exhausted, to tire, to toil." This powerful anthropomorphism conveys God's profound emotional state. It's not that God literally tires, but this imagery communicates the deep grief, burden, and frustration that Israel's relentless and habitual sinfulness caused Him. It underscores the immense spiritual cost of human rebellion on the divine heart.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Thou hast bought me no sweet cane with money,"**: This clause highlights Israel's failure to provide costly and sincere offerings. "Sweet cane" (calamus) was an expensive, imported aromatic used in sacred anointing oil and incense, symbolizing valuable and reverent worship. God laments that they have not even expended the money to procure such offerings for Him, indicating a profound neglect of their covenant responsibilities and a lack of heart-felt devotion.
* **"neither hast thou filled me with the fat of thy sacrifices:"**: This continues the theme of neglected worship. The "fat of thy sacrifices" refers to the choicest part of the sacrificial animals, which was specifically designated for God as a "pleasing aroma" (Leviticus 3:16). The phrase "filled me" suggests an expected abundance of such offerings. Their failure to provide this signifies that their sacrifices, if offered at all, were lacking in quality, quantity, or sincerity, failing to truly honor God.
* **"but thou hast made me to serve with thy sins,"**: This marks a sharp contrast and a pivot to the negative. Instead of serving God through worship and obedience, Israel's actions have forced God, anthropomorphically speaking, to "serve" their sins. This implies that God, in His patience and long-suffering, has had to bear the burden and consequences of their continuous transgressions, dealing with the fallout of their rebellion rather than receiving honor.
* **"thou hast wearied me with thine iniquities."**: This final clause intensifies the previous one, emphasizing the cumulative and exhausting effect of Israel's persistent disobedience. "Wearied" conveys a sense of profound fatigue and exasperation. Their "iniquities" (perversity, moral evil, fault, sin) have become an unbearable burden to God, demonstrating the profound grief and emotional toll that human sin takes on the divine heart, even for an omnipotent God.

#### Literary Devices
Isaiah 43:24 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its message. **Anthropomorphism** is central, as God is depicted as being "made to serve" and "wearied" by human sin. This attributes human emotions and physical states (like exhaustion) to God, making His disappointment and grief profoundly relatable and impactful. The verse also utilizes stark **Contrast**, juxtaposing what Israel *failed* to do (offer costly worship) with what they *did* do (burden God with their sins). This highlights the depth of their spiritual rebellion. Furthermore, the concept of sin "making God serve" or "wearying" Him functions as a **Metaphor**, portraying sin not merely as an abstract offense but as a tangible, heavy burden that imposes a toll, even on the divine. The language is also highly **Emotive**, designed to evoke a strong sense of divine lament and a clear indictment of Israel's unfaithfulness.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Isaiah 43:24 profoundly illustrates the nature of God's relationship with His covenant people, revealing both His expectations for genuine worship and the deep impact of human sin on the divine heart. It underscores that God desires not merely ritualistic observance but heartfelt devotion and obedience, symbolized by the "choicest" offerings. The anthropomorphic expression of God being "wearied" by sin is a powerful theological statement, emphasizing that sin is not a trivial matter; it grieves the Holy Spirit and burdens the Creator. Yet, the immediate context (especially [Isaiah 43:25](/isaiah/43-25 "God's Promise to Blot Out Transgressions")) simultaneously showcases God's boundless grace and willingness to forgive, revealing a divine character that, despite being burdened by sin, remains committed to redemption. This tension between divine justice and unwavering mercy is a cornerstone of biblical theology.

* [Psalm 51:16-17](/psalm/51-16 "A Broken and Contrite Heart")
* [Micah 6:6-8](/micah/6-6 "What the Lord Requires")
* [Hebrews 10:4](/hebrews/10-4 "The Inadequacy of Animal Sacrifices")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Isaiah 43:24 serves as a potent mirror for contemporary believers, prompting us to honestly assess the nature of our own worship and obedience. Are we offering God our "sweet cane" and the "fat of our sacrifices"—that is, our best, our most valuable resources, our sincere devotion, and our wholehearted obedience? Or are we, through our compromises, apathy, or deliberate disobedience, inadvertently "making God serve" and "wearying" Him with our sins? This verse reminds us that true spirituality extends beyond mere external rituals; it demands a heart fully yielded to God, recognizing that our choices have profound implications for our relationship with Him. The divine lament here calls us to a deeper awareness of the gravity of sin and its capacity to grieve the Holy Spirit. It challenges us to move from a performance-based faith to one rooted in genuine love and reverence, striving to bring joy to God's heart rather than burdening it.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways might my own actions or attitudes be akin to withholding "sweet cane" or the "fat of sacrifices" from God?**
* **How does the idea of God being "wearied" by sin impact my understanding of His holiness and my own responsibility?**
* **What specific areas of my life might be "making God to serve" my own desires rather than serving Him?**
* **Given God's weariness with sin, how does His immediate promise of forgiveness in the next verse (Isaiah 43:25) deepen my appreciation for His grace?**

### FAQ
**Does God literally get tired or exhausted by our sins?**

Answer: No, God, in His infinite nature, is immutable and omnipotent; He does not experience physical or emotional exhaustion as humans do. The language used in [Isaiah 43:24](/isaiah/43-24 "God's Weariness with Israel's Sins") is an example of **anthropomorphism**, attributing human characteristics to God to make His divine emotions and perspectives understandable to us. When God says He is "wearied" or "made to serve" by Israel's sins, it powerfully conveys His profound grief, disappointment, and the burden that human rebellion places upon His holy character. It emphasizes the gravity of sin and how deeply it offends and grieves the heart of a loving God who desires a pure relationship with His people. It's a vivid expression of divine sorrow over human unfaithfulness.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Isaiah 43:24, with its lament over Israel's failure to offer true worship and their burdening of God with sin, finds its ultimate resolution and fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The "sweet cane" and "fat of sacrifices" that Israel failed to provide point forward to the perfect sacrifice and worship offered by Christ. Unlike Israel, who withheld their best, Jesus, the [Lamb of God](/john/1-29 "Jesus, the Lamb of God"), perfectly offered Himself, the ultimate and flawless sacrifice, once for all time ([Hebrews 10:10-14](/hebrews/10-10 "Christ's One Sacrifice")). He did not burden God with sin but, rather, bore the burden of our sins upon Himself ([1 Peter 2:24](/1_peter/2-24 "Christ Bore Our Sins")). While Israel's iniquities "wearied" God, Christ, through His atoning work on the cross, took away the weariness and the penalty of sin, offering rest to those burdened by it ([Matthew 11:28-30](/matthew/11-28 "Jesus' Invitation to the Weary")). Thus, what Israel failed to do, and the burden they imposed, was perfectly and completely addressed by Christ, who became our perfect offering and the one who fully satisfied God's righteous demands, transforming divine weariness into divine pleasure in His beloved Son.

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

Isaiah 7:13

And he said, Hear ye now, O house of David; [Is it] a small thing for you to weary men, but will ye weary my God also?

Isaiah 1:14

Your new moons and your appointed feasts my soul hateth: they are a trouble unto me; I am weary to bear [them].

Jeremiah 6:20

To what purpose cometh there to me incense from Sheba, and the sweet cane from a far country? your burnt offerings [are] not acceptable, nor your sacrifices sweet unto me.

Ezekiel 6:9

And they that escape of you shall remember me among the nations whither they shall be carried captives, because I am broken with their whorish heart, which hath departed from me, and with their eyes, which go a whoring after their idols: and they shall lothe themselves for the evils which they have committed in all their abominations.

Isaiah 63:10

But they rebelled, and vexed his holy Spirit: therefore he was turned to be their enemy, [and] he fought against them.

Psalms 50:9

I will take no bullock out of thy house, [nor] he goats out of thy folds.

Psalms 50:13

Will I eat the flesh of bulls, or drink the blood of goats?