Isaiah 59:1-3

Separation from God

1 Behold, 1the LORD'S hand is not so short That it cannot save; 2Nor is His ear so dull That it cannot hear.
2 But your 3iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, And your sins have hidden His face from you so that He does 4not hear.
3 For your 5hands are defiled with blood And your fingers with iniquity; Your lips have spoken 6falsehood, Your tongue mutters wickedness.

Isaiah 59:1-3 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO ISAIAH 59

As the former chapter declares the hypocrisy and formality of professors of religion; this expresses the errors and heresies, immorality and profaneness, which shall prevail before the spiritual reign of Christ, or the latter day glory begins; which is so fully described in the next chapter. Reasons are given of God's withdrawing his presence from a professing people, which were not want of power and readiness in him, but their own sins and transgressions, Isa 59:1,2 which are enumerated, such as murder, rapine, lies Isa 59:3-8 for which the judgments of God were upon them, darkness, distress, and misery, of which they were sensible, Isa 59:9-11 and confess their sins and transgressions, Isa 59:12,13 and lament their wretched state and condition, which was displeasing to God, Isa 59:14,15 who is represented as appearing for their salvation; moved to it by their want of help, and the oppression of their enemies, in which he shows his power, justice, zeal, grace, and goodness, Isa 59:16-18 the consequence of which shall be the conversion and salvation of many, owing to the efficacy of the divine Spirit, and to the spiritual coming of the Redeemer, Isa 59:19,20, and the chapter is closed with a promise of the continuance of the Spirit of God, and the Gospel of Christ in his church, unto the end of the world, Isa 59:21.

Cross References 6

  • 1. Numbers 11:23; Isaiah 50:2; Jeremiah 32:17
  • 2. Isaiah 58:9; Isaiah 65:24; Ezekiel 8:18
  • 3. Isaiah 1:15; Isaiah 50:1
  • 4. Isaiah 58:4
  • 5. Isaiah 1:15, 21; Jeremiah 2:30, 34; Ezekiel 7:23; Hosea 4:2
  • 6. Isaiah 28:15; Isaiah 30:9; Isaiah 59:13

Footnotes 1

  • [a]. So versions; M.T. "faces"
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