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Isaiah 27:4

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Fury [is] not in me: who would set the briers [and] thorns against me in battle? I would go through them, I would burn them together.

Fury {H2534} is not in me: who would set {H5414} the briers {H8068} and thorns {H7898} against me in battle {H4421}? I would go {H6585} through them, I would burn {H6702} them together {H3162}.

I have no anger in me. If it gives me briars and thorns, then, as in war, I will trample it down and burn it up at once;

I am not angry. If only thorns and briers confronted Me, I would march and trample them, I would burn them to the ground.

Wrath is not in me: would that the briers and thorns were against me in battle! I would march upon them, I would burn them together.

Commentary

Isaiah 27:4 is a profound declaration from God, revealing His disposition towards His people and His powerful approach to adversaries. This verse stands within a larger prophecy concerning God's judgment on the nations and the restoration of Israel, His "pleasant vineyard."

Context

Chapter 27 of Isaiah follows a section detailing God's judgment on the world and His enemies. In contrast, verses 2-6 present a hopeful song about the Lord's vineyard, Israel, which He diligently watches over and waters. Unlike the vineyard in Isaiah 5:1-7, which produced wild grapes and faced destruction, this vineyard is now under God's loving care. Verse 4 specifically addresses God's lack of "fury" or destructive wrath towards this restored vineyard, assuring His people that He will instead deal decisively with anything that threatens them.

Key Themes

  • God's Benevolent Disposition: The opening phrase, "Fury is not in me," is a powerful assurance. It signifies that God's intention towards His redeemed people is not one of destructive anger, but of protection and care. While God does exercise wrath against sin and rebellion, this verse highlights His gracious and restorative attitude toward those He cherishes.
  • Divine Protection and Sovereignty: God rhetorically asks, "who would set the briers and thorns against me in battle?" This emphasizes His omnipotence and control. The "briers and thorns" are metaphors for destructive elements, obstacles, or enemies that would harm His vineyard. God declares that He will not only confront them but "burn them together," signifying total and decisive victory over all opposition.
  • Judgment on Adversaries: This verse promises that God Himself will deal with those who oppose His purposes and harm His people. The imagery of burning thorns together speaks to a swift, complete, and consuming judgment upon His enemies, ensuring the safety and prosperity of His vineyard.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "fury" here is chemah (חֵמָה), which can denote intense heat, anger, or wrath. By stating "Fury is not in me," God emphasizes that His relationship with His restored people is not characterized by uncontrolled rage, but by purposeful action. The phrase "briers and thorns" (shamir vashayith) is a common biblical idiom for unproductive, harmful, or wicked elements that are easily consumed by fire, symbolizing the ease with which God will remove obstacles or enemies.

Practical Application

For believers today, Isaiah 27:4 offers immense comfort and reassurance. It reminds us that:

  • God is For Us: If we are in Christ, God's disposition towards us is not one of destructive fury, but of love and protection. This echoes the New Testament truth that "If God be for us, who can be against us?"
  • Divine Intervention: We can trust that God will personally deal with the "briers and thorns" in our lives – whether they are spiritual attacks, obstacles, or oppressive forces. He has the power and the will to "burn them together," clearing the way for His blessings and purposes.
  • Assurance in Spiritual Warfare: This verse serves as a powerful reminder that we do not face our spiritual battles alone. God actively intervenes on behalf of His people, decisively overcoming all that stands against them.

Ultimately, Isaiah 27:4 is a declaration of God's unwavering commitment to His people, promising divine protection and swift judgment against all who would seek to harm His beloved vineyard.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash (May 20, 2025) using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Hebrews 6:8 (5 votes)

    But that which beareth thorns and briers [is] rejected, and [is] nigh unto cursing; whose end [is] to be burned.

  • Isaiah 10:17 (5 votes)

    And the light of Israel shall be for a fire, and his Holy One for a flame: and it shall burn and devour his thorns and his briers in one day;

  • Matthew 3:12 (4 votes)

    Whose fan [is] in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.

  • 2 Samuel 23:6 (3 votes)

    But [the sons] of Belial [shall be] all of them as thorns thrust away, because they cannot be taken with hands:

  • Psalms 85:3 (3 votes)

    Thou hast taken away all thy wrath: thou hast turned [thyself] from the fierceness of thine anger.

  • Isaiah 9:18 (2 votes)

    For wickedness burneth as the fire: it shall devour the briers and thorns, and shall kindle in the thickets of the forest, and they shall mount up [like] the lifting up of smoke.

  • Isaiah 54:6 (2 votes)

    ¶ For the LORD hath called thee as a woman forsaken and grieved in spirit, and a wife of youth, when thou wast refused, saith thy God.