Isaiah 63:19

We are [thine]: thou never barest rule over them; they were not called by thy name.

We are thine: thou never {H5769} barest rule {H4910} over them; they were not called {H7121} by thy name {H8034}.

For so long we have been like those you never ruled, like those who were not called by your name!

We have become like those You never ruled, like those not called by Your name.

We are become as they over whom thou never barest rule, as they that were not called by thy name.

Isaiah 63:19 is a poignant cry from the prophet, representing the people of Israel, appealing to God based on their unique relationship with Him, in contrast to the surrounding nations. It captures a moment of deep distress and a desperate plea for divine intervention, rooted in their identity as God's chosen.

Context

This verse is part of a passionate lament and prayer found in Isaiah chapters 63 and 64, where the prophet, representing the distressed people of Israel, cries out to God. The chapter begins with a vision of God's vengeance and redemption, but transitions into a profound expression of communal suffering and a plea for God to remember His ancient mercies. The people are likely in exile or experiencing severe hardship, feeling abandoned by God and overwhelmed by their enemies. Their plea in verse 19 emphasizes their historical identity as God's own, contrasting themselves with pagan nations who do not acknowledge the Lord's sovereignty or bear His name.

Key Themes

  • Divine Ownership and Covenant Identity: The phrase "We are [thine]" is a direct assertion of Israel's unique covenant relationship with God. They appeal to Him based on His choice of them as His treasured possession, a relationship established through Abraham and Moses. This claim serves as the foundation for their desperate plea for help.
  • Distinction Between God's People and the Nations: The latter part of the verse, "thou never barest rule over them; they were not called by thy name," sharply distinguishes Israel from the pagan nations. These nations did not acknowledge the God of Israel as their sovereign and were not identified with Him. This highlights Israel's unique status and the prophet's desire for God to act on behalf of His distinct people.
  • Plea for Divine Intervention: Underlying this verse is a desperate cry for God to intervene and deliver His people. By reminding God of their special relationship and the pagan nations' lack thereof, the prophet seeks to move God to compassion and action.

Linguistic Insights

The expression "called by thy name" (Hebrew: קֹרָא בְשִׁמְךָ, qora b'shimkha) is a significant biblical idiom. It implies ownership, identification, and a special relationship. To be called by God's name means to belong to Him and to bear His reputation. It signifies that God has claimed them as His own, and they bear His mark. This concept is similar to how a wife takes her husband's name, or a child their parent's name, signifying their belonging to that family.

Practical Application

For believers today, this verse resonates deeply. Through faith in Christ, we are called by His name, signifying our new identity and belonging to Him. This ownership provides a basis for our prayers and appeals to God in times of distress, reminding us that we are His. It also underscores the distinction between those who acknowledge God as Lord and those who do not, calling us to live in a way that honors the name by which we are called, reflecting His character to the world.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Romans 9:4

    Who are Israelites; to whom [pertaineth] the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service [of God], and the promises;

  • Psalms 135:4

    For the LORD hath chosen Jacob unto himself, [and] Israel for his peculiar treasure.

  • Acts 15:17

    That the residue of men might seek after the Lord, and all the Gentiles, upon whom my name is called, saith the Lord, who doeth all these things.

  • Isaiah 65:1

    ¶ I am sought of [them that] asked not [for me]; I am found of [them that] sought me not: I said, Behold me, behold me, unto a nation [that] was not called by my name.

  • Psalms 79:6

    ¶ Pour out thy wrath upon the heathen that have not known thee, and upon the kingdoms that have not called upon thy name.

  • Ephesians 2:12

    That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:

  • Acts 14:16

    Who in times past suffered all nations to walk in their own ways.

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