Isaiah 63:17

Made us to err. In the nontechnical language of the Bible, God is often represented as doing that which He does not prevent (see on 1 Sam. 16:14; 2 Chron. 18:18). The question may be understood permissively, “O Lord, why have you permitted us to err?” etc. Since God never coerces the will, He does not prevent men from following the evil course of their choosing. In one sense of the word men actually do not have God’s permission to do evil. They have God’s permission to do right (Deut. 30:19), but because they are free moral agents God does not prevent them from following the way of evil if they so choose. We would hardly say of our children, if some of them grow up and leave the path of rectitude, that they have our permission to do evil. Because of their maturity we simply no longer interfere with their choice.

The request in the Lord’s Prayer, “Lead us not into temptation,” should be similarly understood. God does not tempt men to sin (James 1:13), but permits trial only if it is for our good (see on Matt. 6:13). The words are a figurative way of requesting that we may not fall into evil.

Hardened. See on Ex. 4:21.

Return. Compare Ps. 80:14; 90:13.