1 Oh that you would rend the heavens and come down,
that the mountains might quake at your presence—
2 as when fire kindles brushwood
and the fire causes water to boil—
to make your name known to your adversaries,
and that the nations might tremble at your presence!
3 When you did awesome things that we did not look for,
you came down, the mountains quaked at your presence.
4 From of old no one has heard
or perceived by the ear,
no eye has seen a God besides you,
who acts for those who wait for him.
5 You meet him who joyfully works righteousness,
those who remember you in your ways.
6 We have all become like one who is unclean,
and all our righteous deeds are like a polluted garment.
We all fade like a leaf,
and our iniquities, like the wind, take us away.
7 There is no one who calls upon your name, who rouses himself to take hold of you; for you have hidden your face from us, and have made us melt in the hand of our iniquities.
8 But now, O Lord, you are our Father; we are the clay, and you are our potter; we are all the work of your hand.
9 Be not so terribly angry, O Lord,
and remember not iniquity forever.
Behold, please look, we are all your people.
10 Your holy cities have become a wilderness; Zion has become a wilderness, Jerusalem a desolation.
11 Our holy and beautiful house, where our fathers praised you, has been burned by fire, and all our pleasant places have become ruins.
12 Will you restrain yourself at these things, O Lord? Will you keep silent, and afflict us so terribly?
The True Meaning of Isaiah 64
The book of Isaiah was written by the prophet Isaiah, who lived during the reigns of several Judean kings in the 8th century BCE. Isaiah was known for his powerful messages of judgment and hope, as he spoke on behalf of God to the people of Judah. Isaiah offers a heartfelt prayer on behalf of the people in this chapter, acknowledging their sinfulness and pleading for God’s intervention. He reflects on the mighty acts of God in the past, and expresses a longing for God to once again display His power and glory. The chapter foreshadows the coming Messianic age, where God will restore His people and establish His eternal kingdom. Isaiah’s deep understanding of the human condition and his unwavering faith in God’s ability to redeem and transform His people are evident as we examine this passage. The chapter also echoes themes found in other prophetic books, such as the need for repentance and the promise of a future restoration.
Isaiah 64:1-4
The verse in Isaiah 64:1-4 pleads for God to tear open the heavens and come down to earth. This fervent cry for divine intervention conveys the desperation of the people for God’s presence and assistance in a time of need. The imagery of God descending like fire to make His name known among the nations signifies the power and majesty of God, illustrating His ability to bring about great change and make His presence known in a tangible way. This section emphasizes the longing of the people for a powerful manifestation of God’s presence and intervention in their lives, demonstrating their faith in His ability to bring about salvation and deliverance.
The reference to past miraculous deeds, where God had acted in powerful ways that had not been seen before, highlights the faithfulness of God throughout history. This recollection of God’s past actions serves as a reminder to the people that He is capable of performing mighty works and that they can trust in His promises. It also underscores the importance of remembering God’s faithfulness and power in times of distress, as a source of hope and encouragement for the future.
The mention of God acting on behalf of those who wait for Him underscores the theme of divine timing and patience in the fulfillment of God’s plans. This verse encourages believers to trust in God’s timing and to remain steadfast in their faith, even when it seems like He is silent or distant. It is a reminder that God is always working behind the scenes, orchestrating events for the good of those who love Him, even if His ways and timing may be different from what we expect. This message of waiting on God with faith and patience is echoed in other parts of the Bible, such as in Psalm 27:14, which says, “Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord. Isaiah 64:1-4 conveys a powerful message of faith, longing, and trust in God’s sovereignty and faithfulness. It reminds believers of the importance of seeking God’s presence, recalling His past deeds, and waiting on Him with patience and hope, knowing that He is always at work for the good of those who love Him.
Isaiah 64:5-7
The verse in Isaiah 64:5-7 can be broken down into a few important sections. The first part of the verse talks about God meeting those who joyfully do what is right, those who remember Him in their ways. This emphasizes the importance of joyfully seeking and doing God’s will, and acknowledging His presence in our lives. This sets the tone for a relationship with God based on obedience and joy rather than obligation.
The next section describes the people as being unclean, with their righteousness being like filthy rags. This imagery highlights the contrast between human attempts at righteousness and God’s holiness. The Bible often associates righteousness with moral purity and adherence to God’s commands. Here, the prophet Isaiah is conveying that even when we try to be righteous, our efforts fall short compared to God’s perfect standard. This concept of human inadequacy and God’s righteousness is reiterated in Romans 3:23 which states, “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”
The following part of the verse speaks about the fact that the people have become like one who is unclean and all their righteous deeds are like a polluted garment. This emphasizes the idea that even our good deeds are tainted by sin. Throughout the Bible, we see the recurring theme of the fallen nature of humanity and our constant need for redemption. “No one on earth is righteous, no one does what is right and never sins,” as mentioned in Ecclesiastes 7:20.”
Isaiah 64:7 continues by talking about the people having withered away like leaves and their iniquities carrying them away like the wind. This imagery illustrates the consequences of sin and how it can lead to spiritual decay and separation from God. This reflects the notion of consequences for disobedience that we see throughout the Bible, constantly reminding us of the importance of repentance and turning back to God. Isaiah 64:5-7 serves as a powerful reminder of our continual need for God’s grace and redemption. It underscores the contrast between human righteousness and God’s holiness, highlighting the gap that can only be bridged through faith in Jesus Christ. It also emphasizes the importance of genuine repentance and humility before God, recognizing our own inadequacy and dependence on Him for true righteousness.
Isaiah 64:8-12
The verse in Isaiah 64:8-12 can be broken down into two main sections: God as the Potter and the plea for God’s intervention.
- “Yet you, Lord, are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand.” Here, the prophet Isaiah uses the metaphor of God as a Potter and His people as the clay. This imagery highlights the idea of God’s sovereignty and creative power over His creation. God, as the Potter, shapes and molds His people according to His divine plan and purpose. This metaphor also emphasizes the relationship between God and His people, portraying God as not just a distant creator but as a Father who intimately cares for and shapes His children.
This imagery of the Potter and clay is a recurring theme in the Bible. God instructs Jeremiah to go to the Potter’s house in Jeremiah 18:6 and observe the potter shaping the clay, drawing a parallel to God’s relationship with Israel. This concept of God as the Potter and humanity as the clay reminds us of our dependence on God for guidance, direction, and purpose in our lives. It signifies our need to surrender to God’s will and allow Him to work in and through us to fulfill His plans.
- The second part of the verse focuses on the plea for God’s intervention: “Do not be angry beyond measure, Lord; do not remember our sins forever. Oh, look on us, we pray, for we are all your people.” Here, the Israelites are acknowledging their sinful nature and the consequences of their disobedience. They appeal to God for mercy and forgiveness, recognizing their need for His grace and redemption. This plea reflects a humble acknowledgment of their need for God’s intervention and restoration.
Throughout the Bible, we see numerous instances where God’s people cried out to Him in times of distress, seeking His mercy and forgiveness. Psalm 51:1-2 captures this sentiment as David pleads, “Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions. Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin.” This shows that seeking God’s forgiveness and mercy is a fundamental aspect of faith and relationship with God. The verses in Isaiah 64:8-12 serve as a reminder of God’s sovereignty, creativity, and the importance of surrendering to His will. It also underscores the significance of acknowledging our sinful nature and seeking God’s forgiveness and mercy. Through the imagery of the Potter and clay, we are encouraged to trust in God’s plans for our lives and pray for His intervention in times of need.
After Isaiah 64
The people had cried out to the Lord, pleading for Him to come down and save them. They acknowledged their sinfulness and the need for God’s intervention. Yet, they also expressed their hope that the Lord would still remember His people and have compassion on them. The reverend knew that the next section would reveal the Lord’s response to the people’s heartfelt pleas as the chapter drew to a close. Would He answer their cries and restore His relationship with them? Or would their sins prove too great for His forgiveness? The reverend eagerly anticipated the unfolding of God’s plan, for it held the key to the people’s future and the fulfillment of His promises.
Reverend Ogunlade is a seasoned Church Minister with over three decades of experience in guiding and nurturing congregations. With profound wisdom and a serene approach, Reverend Ogunlade has carried out various pastoral duties, including delivering uplifting sermons, conducting religious ceremonies, and offering sage counsel to individuals seeking spiritual guidance. Their commitment to fostering harmony and righteousness within their community is exemplified through their compassionate nature, making them a beloved and trusted figure among the congregation.