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?

And he said {H559}, Hear {H8085} ye now, O house {H1004} of David {H1732}; Is it a small thing {H4592} for you to weary {H3811} men {H582}, but will ye weary {H3811} my God {H430} also?

Then [the prophet] said, "Listen here, house of David! Is trying people's patience such a small thing for you that you must try the patience of my God as well?

Then Isaiah said, “Hear now, O house of David! Is it not enough to try the patience of men? Will you try the patience of my God as well?

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

Isaiah 7:13 captures a pivotal moment in the prophet Isaiah's confrontation with King Ahaz of Judah. This verse serves as a direct, impassioned rebuke from God, delivered through Isaiah, highlighting the profound disappointment caused by Ahaz's persistent unbelief.

Context

This declaration comes amidst the Syro-Ephraimite War, where Judah was threatened by a coalition of Syria (Aram) and the northern kingdom of Israel (Ephraim). God, through Isaiah, had offered King Ahaz a sign—any sign he desired—to assure him of divine protection and the certain defeat of his enemies (Isaiah 7:10-12). However, Ahaz, feigning piety, refused to ask for a sign, stating he would "not tempt the LORD." In reality, Ahaz had already decided to seek help from Assyria, demonstrating a profound lack of faith in God's ability and willingness to deliver him. Isaiah 7:13 is God’s indignant response to this calculated refusal and a broader pattern of spiritual indifference from the "house of David."

Key Themes

  • Divine Weariness and Rebuke: The core message is God's exasperation with Ahaz's unbelief. Isaiah's question, "Is it a small thing for you to weary men, but will ye weary my God also?" reveals that Ahaz's lack of faith and reliance on human schemes had already burdened his people and advisors. Now, his persistent rejection of divine intervention was testing the very patience of God Himself.
  • The Gravity of Unbelief: Ahaz's refusal of God's direct offer of help was not merely a tactical mistake; it was a deep spiritual offense. It implied a distrust of God's power and faithfulness, treating Him as unreliable or insufficient. This act of unbelief is presented as a serious affront to the Creator.
  • The House of David's Responsibility: The address "O house of David" emphasizes the covenant relationship God had with David's lineage (2 Samuel 7:16). As leaders, they bore a greater responsibility to model faith and obedience. Ahaz's actions were a betrayal of this sacred trust.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word translated "weary" is yaqa' (יָקָא). It carries a strong sense of being disgusted, vexed, or utterly tired of something. It's not just mild annoyance but a deep sense of being worn out by persistent and trying behavior. When applied to God, it underscores the profound offense and grief that human unbelief causes Him, especially when He is actively offering help and assurance.

Practical Application

Isaiah 7:13 serves as a timeless reminder of the seriousness of unbelief. It challenges us to examine where our trust truly lies, especially in times of crisis. Do we rely on our own strength, human alliances, or worldly solutions, or do we genuinely lean on God's promises and power? Just as Ahaz's actions wearied men and God, our own patterns of distrust or spiritual indifference can have profound consequences, not only for ourselves but also for those around us and our relationship with the Divine. God desires our faith, not our feigned piety or self-sufficiency. This verse prepares the reader for the subsequent promise of the sign of Immanuel, which God gives despite Ahaz's lack of faith, demonstrating His unwavering commitment even in the face of human rebellion.

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.

  • Isaiah 43:24

    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.

  • Isaiah 7:2

    And it was told the house of David, saying, Syria is confederate with Ephraim. And his heart was moved, and the heart of his people, as the trees of the wood are moved with the wind.

  • Ezekiel 16:47

    Yet hast thou not walked after their ways, nor done after their abominations: but, as [if that were] a very little [thing], thou wast corrupted more than they in all thy ways.

  • Malachi 2:17

    Ye have wearied the LORD with your words. Yet ye say, Wherein have we wearied [him]? When ye say, Every one that doeth evil [is] good in the sight of the LORD, and he delighteth in them; or, Where [is] the God of judgment?

  • Isaiah 63:10

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

  • Ezekiel 34:18

    [Seemeth it] a small thing unto you to have eaten up the good pasture, but ye must tread down with your feet the residue of your pastures? and to have drunk of the deep waters, but ye must foul the residue with your feet?

  • Amos 3:13

    Hear ye, and testify in the house of Jacob, saith the Lord GOD, the God of hosts,

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