Isaiah 64

King James Version

Full text for Isaiah Chapter 64

1¶ Oh that thou wouldest rend the heavens, that thou wouldest come down, that the mountains might flow down at thy presence,

2As [when] the melting fire burneth, the fire causeth the waters to boil, to make thy name known to thine adversaries, [that] the nations may tremble at thy presence!

3When thou didst terrible things [which] we looked not for, thou camest down, the mountains flowed down at thy presence.

4For since the beginning of the world [men] have not heard, nor perceived by the ear, neither hath the eye seen, O God, beside thee, [what] he hath prepared for him that waiteth for him.

5Thou meetest him that rejoiceth and worketh righteousness, [those that] remember thee in thy ways: behold, thou art wroth; for we have sinned: in those is continuance, and we shall be saved.

6¶ But we are all as an unclean [thing], and all our righteousnesses [are] as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.

7And [there is] none that calleth upon thy name, that stirreth up himself to take hold of thee: for thou hast hid thy face from us, and hast consumed us, because of our iniquities.

8But now, O LORD, thou [art] our father; we [are] the clay, and thou our potter; and we all [are] the work of thy hand.

9Be not wroth very sore, O LORD, neither remember iniquity for ever: behold, see, we beseech thee, we [are] all thy people.

10Thy holy cities are a wilderness, Zion is a wilderness, Jerusalem a desolation.

11Our holy and our beautiful house, where our fathers praised thee, is burned up with fire: and all our pleasant things are laid waste.

12Wilt thou refrain thyself for these [things], O LORD? wilt thou hold thy peace, and afflict us very sore?

AI Analysis

AI Summaries

Short Summary

The chapter begins with a fervent plea for God to descend with power, rending the heavens and causing mountains to flow, as He has done in the past. The people confess their universal sinfulness, acknowledging that their righteousnesses are as filthy rags, which has caused God to hide His face. Despite their unworthiness, they appeal to God as their Father and Potter, lamenting the desolation of Zion, Jerusalem, and their holy temple, and beseeching Him not to remain silent in their affliction.

Medium Summary

Isaiah 64 opens with a passionate cry for divine intervention, urging the LORD to manifest His presence with overwhelming power, reminiscent of past awe-inspiring acts that caused nations to tremble. The prophet declares that no eye has seen nor ear heard what God has prepared for those who wait for Him and work righteousness. However, the focus quickly shifts to a profound confession of the people's deep sinfulness, stating that all are unclean and their best efforts are like filthy rags, leading to their fading away and God's withdrawal. They lament that none call upon God's name, as He has consumed them due to their iniquities. Yet, they humbly appeal to God as their Father and Creator, acknowledging themselves as the clay and Him as the Potter. The chapter concludes with a sorrowful description of the desolation of their holy cities and the burning of their beautiful temple, culminating in a desperate plea for God to act and not remain silent in their severe affliction.

Long Summary

The chapter commences with an impassioned supplication, imploring the LORD to rend the heavens and descend with such power that the mountains would melt at His presence, just as fire causes water to boil. This plea is made so that God's name might be known to His adversaries and nations might tremble, recalling the terrible, unexpected things He did in the past. The prophet emphasizes God's unique nature, stating that since the beginning of the world, no one has heard or seen what God has prepared for those who wait for Him, those who rejoice and work righteousness, and remember Him in His ways. However, the tone shifts dramatically as the people confess their collective unworthiness, declaring themselves to be as an unclean thing and all their righteousnesses as filthy rags. They acknowledge that their iniquities have consumed them, causing them to fade like a leaf, and that God has hidden His face from them because none stir themselves to take hold of Him. Despite this deep confession of sin, a profound appeal is made to God's covenant relationship, proclaiming, 'But now, O LORD, thou art our father; we are the clay, and thou our potter; and we all are the work of thy hand.' They beseech Him not to be exceedingly wroth or remember iniquity forever, reminding Him that they are all His people. The lament then turns to the physical devastation, describing Zion and Jerusalem as a wilderness and a desolation, and their holy and beautiful house, where their fathers praised Him, as burned up with fire. The chapter concludes with a poignant question, 'Wilt thou refrain thyself for these things, O LORD? wilt thou hold thy peace, and afflict us very sore?', a final desperate plea for divine intervention in their dire circumstances.

Core Concepts

  • Plea for Divine InterventionThe chapter opens with a fervent prayer for God to powerfully descend from heaven, causing mountains to melt and making His name known, recalling His awe-inspiring acts of the past.
  • Human Sinfulness and UnworthinessThe people confess their universal uncleanness and acknowledge that all their righteousnesses are like 'filthy rags,' leading to their fading and God's withdrawal due to their iniquities.
  • God as Father and PotterDespite their sin, the people appeal to God's intimate relationship with them, recognizing Him as their Father and Creator, who fashioned them as the clay in His hands.
  • Desolation of Zion and the TempleA significant lament describes the physical destruction of their holy cities, Zion and Jerusalem, and the burning of their sacred temple, which was once a place of praise.
  • God's Hidden FaceThe consequence of the people's iniquities is depicted as God hiding His face from them, implying a period of divine silence and apparent abandonment.
  • Hope for Those Who WaitThe chapter briefly alludes to God's unique and unseen preparations for those who wait for Him, who rejoice, work righteousness, and remember Him in His ways.