Isaiah 66:4

KJV

I also will choose their delusions, and will bring their fears upon them; because when I called, none did answer; when I spake, they did not hear: but they did evil before mine eyes, and chose [that] in which I delighted not.

KJV (with Strong's)

I also will choose {H977} their delusions {H8586}, and will bring {H935} their fears {H4035} upon them; because when I called {H7121}, none did answer {H6030}; when I spake {H1696}, they did not hear {H8085}: but they did {H6213} evil {H7451} before mine eyes {H5869}, and chose {H977} that in which I delighted {H2654} not.

Complete Jewish Bible

so I will enjoy making fools of them, and bring on them the very things they fear. For when I called, no one answered; when I spoke, they did not hear. Instead they did what was evil in my sight and chose what did not please me."

Berean Standard Bible

So I will choose their punishment and I will bring terror upon them, because I called and no one answered, I spoke and no one listened. But they did evil in My sight and chose that in which I did not delight.”

American Standard Version

I also will choose their delusions, and will bring their fears upon them; because when I called, none did answer; when I spake, they did not hear: but they did that which was evil in mine eyes, and chose that wherein I delighted not.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Isaiah 66:4 pronounces a severe divine judgment against those who stubbornly reject God's repeated calls and deliberately choose paths contrary to His will. It reveals God's sovereign response to human rebellion, where the consequences—specifically "delusions" and "fears"—are not random misfortunes but divinely ordained retributions, precisely mirroring the unfaithful's active disobedience and their preference for what displeases the Lord. This verse underscores the profound accountability of humanity for its choices in light of God's persistent revelation and invitation.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Isaiah 66 concludes the prophetic book, serving as a powerful summation of its overarching themes of judgment and restoration. The chapter sharply contrasts the humble and contrite, who tremble at God's word, with the rebellious and self-righteous, who engage in outward religious rituals while their hearts are far from God. Verses 1-2 establish God's transcendence and His preference for a humble spirit over grand temples, setting the stage for the condemnation of those whose sacrifices are an abomination (v. 3). Verse 4 directly follows this indictment, explaining *why* God will bring judgment: because His calls were ignored, His words unheard, and evil was actively chosen. The subsequent verses (66:5-17) continue to describe the Lord's vindication of His faithful servants and the ultimate destruction of His adversaries, leading to the vision of a new heavens and new earth and the ingathering of all nations (66:18-24).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** While the precise dating of Isaiah 66 is debated, it generally reflects a post-exilic or late exilic setting. The concerns expressed—false worship, ritualism without true piety, and syncretism—were prevalent issues among the returning exiles or those living in the land. Many sought to rebuild the temple and re-establish religious practices, but often without genuine repentance or obedience to God's covenant. The prophet addresses a community where outward observance had replaced inward devotion, and where pagan practices or self-devised forms of worship were tolerated or even embraced. The "delusions" and "fears" mentioned reflect the consequences of abandoning the true God for idols or self-reliance, which often led to societal breakdown, spiritual confusion, and vulnerability to enemies, both internal and external.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully encapsulates several key themes found throughout Isaiah and the broader prophetic literature. It highlights **Divine Retribution and Consequence**, demonstrating that God is not passive but actively involved in bringing about the just outcomes of human choices. The "delusions" and "fears" are not arbitrary but are tailored consequences of a people who "chose [that] in which I delighted not." Another central theme is the **Rejection of God's Call and Word**. The repeated phrases "when I called, none did answer; when I spake, they did not hear" underscore the deliberate and culpable nature of their disobedience, echoing warnings found in [Proverbs 1:24-27](/proverbs/1-24 "Proverbs 1:24-27 - Wisdom's Unheeded Call"). Furthermore, the verse emphasizes **Human Accountability and Intentional Sin**, as the people "chose" evil and that which God abhorred, rather than merely falling into error. This active choice is a profound act of rebellion against God's revealed will and His very character, a theme also explored in [Romans 1:21-25](/romans/1-21 "Romans 1:21-25 - The Exchange of Truth for Lies").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **delusions (Hebrew, _taʻălûwl'_):** From H8586, this word denotes caprice, vexation, or even a tyrant. In this context, it refers to the foolish, self-chosen, and destructive ways that God will allow or even orchestrate for the rebellious. It implies a state of moral and spiritual blindness, where their own perverse choices become their judgment, leading them further astray into self-inflicted trouble and spiritual deception.
* **spake (Hebrew, _dâbar'_):** From H1696, this primitive root means "to arrange" or "to speak." It signifies God's active, intentional communication, not merely a whisper but a clear declaration or command. The use of this word emphasizes that God's word was not merely available but was actively and authoritatively delivered, making the people's failure to hear and obey all the more culpable.
* **delighted (Hebrew, _châphêts'_):** From H2654, this root means "to incline to" or "to be pleased with, desire." It expresses God's divine pleasure, His will, and what brings Him joy. The phrase "chose [that] in which I delighted not" highlights the direct opposition between the people's choices and God's desires, underscoring their deliberate rejection of His character and His good will for them.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"I also will choose their delusions":** God, in His sovereign judgment, will actively select or permit the very deceptions, foolish ways, or self-destructive paths that the rebellious have chosen for themselves. This is not arbitrary punishment but a divine orchestration where their own preferred spiritual blindness becomes their deserved consequence, leading them deeper into error.
* **"and will bring their fears upon them":** As a direct result of their choices, God will cause the very terrors, anxieties, or dreadful outcomes that they sought to avoid, or the natural consequences of their ungodly actions, to befall them. Their rebellion will culminate in the experience of the very things they feared, or the just recompense for their defiance.
* **"because when I called, none did answer":** This clause provides the primary justification for God's judgment. It highlights God's initiative in reaching out to His people through His prophets, His law, and His providential workings, yet they deliberately refused to respond, acknowledge, or obey His summons.
* **"when I spake, they did not hear":** Reinforcing the previous point, this emphasizes the active and persistent nature of God's communication. He did not merely call, but He "spake" (declared, commanded), yet they willfully closed their ears, demonstrating a profound spiritual deafness and an unwillingness to heed divine instruction.
* **"but they did evil before mine eyes":** This reveals the intentionality and brazenness of their sin. Their actions were not merely accidental or ignorant but were deliberate acts of wickedness, performed openly and in direct defiance of God's omnipresent sight and moral standards.
* **"and chose [that] in which I delighted not":** This final clause encapsulates their ultimate rebellion. It underscores their active, conscious decision to pursue that which was contrary to God's character, His will, and His pleasure. Their sin was not passive but an intentional preference for ungodliness over divine delight, sealing their culpability.

#### Literary Devices
Isaiah 66:4 employs several potent literary devices to convey its message of divine judgment. **Parallelism** is evident in the symmetrical structure of the accusations: "when I called, none did answer; when I spake, they did not hear." This repetition emphasizes the persistent nature of God's outreach and the stubbornness of the people's rejection. **Anthropomorphism** is present in God's declaration, "I also will choose their delusions, and will bring their fears upon them," attributing human-like actions of choosing and bringing to God, thereby highlighting His active involvement and sovereign control over the consequences of human sin. The verse also demonstrates **Retribution Theology**, where the punishment directly fits the crime: because they chose what displeased God, God chooses their delusions; because they did not hear, they will experience fear. This direct correlation underscores the justice and intentionality of divine judgment, where the very path of rebellion becomes the path of their undoing.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Isaiah 66:4 powerfully articulates the principle of divine retribution, where God sovereignly orchestrates the consequences of human rebellion. It underscores that God's judgment is not arbitrary but a just response to persistent disobedience and active rejection of His revealed will. The "delusions" and "fears" are not external impositions but are intrinsically linked to the choices made by those who refused to answer God's call and deliberately chose evil. This concept resonates throughout Scripture, affirming that God ultimately gives people over to the natural and spiritual consequences of their stubborn hearts, allowing their chosen paths to become their undoing. This is a severe warning against spiritual apathy and intentional defiance, highlighting that God's patience has limits and His justice is certain.

* [Proverbs 1:24-31](/proverbs/1-24 "Proverbs 1:24-31 - Wisdom's Warning and Consequences")
* [Romans 1:24-28](/romans/1-24 "Romans 1:24-28 - God Gives Them Over")
* [2 Thessalonians 2:11-12](/2_thessalonians/2-11 "2 Thessalonians 2:11-12 - The Strong Delusion")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Isaiah 66:4 serves as a profound and sobering reminder of the gravity of our choices and the critical importance of a responsive heart to God's voice. It challenges us to move beyond mere outward religious observance to cultivate genuine humility and a deep reverence for God's word. In a world filled with distractions and competing voices, this verse calls us to actively discern and heed God's calls, whether through His written word, the promptings of the Holy Spirit, or the counsel of godly community. Ignoring God's invitations or deliberately choosing paths that contradict His revealed will inevitably leads to spiritual blindness, self-deception, and the very anxieties we seek to avoid. We are urged to examine our lives: Are we truly listening when God speaks? Are our choices aligned with what delights Him, or are we pursuing our own "delusions"? The verse compels us to choose wisdom, obedience, and a life that genuinely pleases the Lord, recognizing that our ultimate well-being is found in aligning our will with His.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might I be choosing paths that do not delight God, even subtly?**
* **How consistently do I listen for God's voice, and how quickly do I respond in obedience when He calls?**
* **What "fears" or "delusions" in my life might be consequences of past or present disobedience?**
* **How can I cultivate a more humble and receptive heart that truly trembles at God's word?**

### FAQ
**Does God actively cause people to be deluded or fearful, or does He merely allow it?**

Answer: The language of Isaiah 66:4, "I also will choose their delusions, and will bring their fears upon them," indicates God's active involvement, not merely passive allowance. This is a judicial act of divine retribution. It's not that God introduces evil into a pure heart, but rather that He orchestrates or confirms the consequences for those who have already chosen rebellion and rejected His truth. When people consistently refuse to acknowledge God and deliberately choose what displeases Him, God, in His justice, may give them over to their own chosen paths, allowing their self-deception to deepen and their chosen fears to materialize. This concept is echoed in passages like [Romans 1:24-28](/romans/1-24 "Romans 1:24-28 - God Gives Them Over to Their Desires") and [2 Thessalonians 2:11-12](/2_thessalonians/2-11 "2 Thessalonians 2:11-12 - God Sends a Strong Delusion"), where God sends a "strong delusion" to those who refuse to love the truth, so that they may believe what is false. Thus, God's action is a righteous response to persistent, willful rebellion.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Isaiah 66:4, with its stark portrayal of divine judgment against those who reject God's call and choose their own ways, finds its ultimate fulfillment and profound reinterpretation in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The "call" and "word" of God that were ignored by ancient Israel are perfectly embodied in Jesus, who is the [Word made flesh](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh") (John 1:14). He came to His own, but [His own received Him not](/john/1-11 "John 1:11 - He Came to His Own"), echoing the very rebellion described in Isaiah. Those who rejected Jesus, the ultimate expression of God's delight and will, faced spiritual blindness and judgment, as Jesus Himself lamented over Jerusalem, "[how often would I have gathered thy children together...and ye would not!](/matthew/23-37 "Matthew 23:37 - Jesus Laments Over Jerusalem")" (Matthew 23:37). The "delusions" and "fears" brought upon the disobedient find their ultimate spiritual reality in the consequences of rejecting the Gospel: a hardening of heart, a continued embrace of spiritual darkness, and ultimately, eternal separation from God, which is the ultimate fear. However, for those who answer the call of Christ, who hear His voice and follow Him, there is no judgment but [eternal life](/john/5-24 "John 5:24 - Hearing His Word, Believing in Him"). Jesus, by bearing the full weight of God's judgment on the cross, offers deliverance from these very "delusions" and "fears," inviting all to choose Him, in whom God is truly delighted, and find true peace and reconciliation.

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 65:12

Therefore will I number you to the sword, and ye shall all bow down to the slaughter: because when I called, ye did not answer; when I spake, ye did not hear; but did evil before mine eyes, and did choose [that] wherein I delighted not.

Proverbs 1:24

Because I have called, and ye refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded;

2 Kings 21:6

And he made his son pass through the fire, and observed times, and used enchantments, and dealt with familiar spirits and wizards: he wrought much wickedness in the sight of the LORD, to provoke [him] to anger.

Proverbs 10:24

¶ The fear of the wicked, it shall come upon him: but the desire of the righteous shall be granted.

2 Kings 21:2

And he did [that which was] evil in the sight of the LORD, after the abominations of the heathen, whom the LORD cast out before the children of Israel.

Jeremiah 7:13

And now, because ye have done all these works, saith the LORD, and I spake unto you, rising up early and speaking, but ye heard not; and I called you, but ye answered not;

Proverbs 1:31

Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices.