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Isaiah 59:9-15

King James Version (KJV)

“In our prayers we talk to God, in our Bible study God talks to us, and we had better let God do most of the talking.”
— D.L. Moody

Scripture focus

9. Therefore is judgment far from us, neither doth justice overtake us: we wait for light, but behold obscurity; for brightness, [but] we walk in darkness. 10. We grope for the wall like the blind, and we grope as if [we had] no eyes: we stumble at noonday as in the night; [we are] in desolate places as dead [men]. 11. We roar all like bears, and mourn sore like doves: we look for judgment, but [there is] none; for salvation, [but] it is far off from us. 12. For our transgressions are multiplied before thee, and our sins testify against us: for our transgressions [are] with us; and [as for] our iniquities, we know them; 13. In transgressing and lying against the LORD, and departing away from our God, speaking oppression and revolt, conceiving and uttering from the heart words of falsehood. 14. And judgment is turned away backward, and justice standeth afar off: for truth is fallen in the street, and equity cannot enter. 15. Yea, truth faileth; and he [that] departeth from evil maketh himself a prey: and the LORD saw [it], and it displeased him that [there was] no judgment.

Isaiah 59:9-15 — KJV

Commentary

Commentary on Isaiah 59:9

Theological / Devotional

Judgment. That is, “justice.” In vs. 1-8 God has been addressing the people. Now they reply, admitting God’s charges against them.

Justice. Literally, “righteousness.”

Obscurity. Literally, “darkness.” Israel anticipated the fulfillment of the covenant promises (see pp. 27, 28) without meeting the covenant obligations. They expected to enjoy all its privileges without accepting its responsibilities. Accordingly, they reaped the curse for disobedience (see pp. 30-33). Israel had no regard for justice, honesty, kindness, and mercy, and God would not plead their cause against their oppressors. To their sorrow they discovered that the measure they had meted out to others was to be measured back to them (see on Matt. 7:2). They were reaping what they had sown. They cried to God for succor, but the heavens above them seemed as brass and the earth beneath them seemed as iron (Deut. 28:23).

By SdaBc