Isaías 64
Bob Utley · You Can Understand the Bible
Isaías 64:1-7
64:1 The first two lines are labeled as Isa. 63:19 in the MT. There is a series of PERFECT VERBS from Isa. 64:18 through Isa. 64:19. YHWH, who lives on high, "rends" (Qal PERFECT, BDB 902, KB 1146, cf. Isa. 34:4; Rev. 6:14) the atmosphere of the earth (i.e. heavens, cf. Gen. 1:1). As the creator approaches the creation quakes (Niphal PERFECT, BDB 272, KB 272 [this form occurs only here and Jdg. 5:5, which is Deborah's praise/psalm of the defeat of Hazor and its army], cf. Isa. 64:2; Ps. 18:7-15; 68:8; 77:18; 144:5) For "heavens" see SPECIAL TOPIC: HEAVEN. 64:2 "fire" See SPECIAL TOPIC: FIRE. ▣ Notice the purpose of YHWH is that His name be known and that the nations tremble (hopefully in repentance, cf. Ps. 99:1-5; Jer. 33:9). SPECIAL TOPIC: "THE NAME" OF YHWH 64:3 NASB, NKJV, NRSV, REB "awesome things" "terrible things" "unexpected miracles" "wonders" "glorious deeds" "wonderous things" The Hebrew word (BDB 431, KB 432, Niphal PARTICIPLE) literally means "fear," but in this form it can denote the majestic, awesome miracles of YHWH on behalf of Israel (cf. Deut. 10:21; 2 Sam. 7:23; 1 Chr. 17:21; Ps. 66:3,5-6; 106:22; 145:6). In Ps. 139:14 several Hebrew words are used in parallel. BDB 431 ‒ fearful BDB 811 and 810 ‒ wonderful SPECIAL TOPIC: WONDERFUL THINGS 64:4 The interpretive question is to whom does the PRONOUN "they" refer. national Israel/Judah the faithful returnees (see SPECIAL TOPIC: THE REMNANT (three senses)) the nations (cf. Isa. 64:2) #2 and #3 together 64:4 "ear. . .eye" The covenant people's rebellion was predicted by YHWH in Isa. 6:9-10. Paul seems to build on this in 1 Cor. 2:9, but uses it in a positive sense. ▣ "a God besides you" See SPECIAL TOPIC: MONOTHEISM. ▣ "Who acts. . ." The word is "works" (Qal IMPERFECT, BDB 793, KB 889). This is the theological distinction between YHWH and the idols. They cannot see, hear, act, speak, but He can and does! He does not have a consort or a pantheon. He cannot be bribed. ▣ "the one who waits for Him" This describes the person of faith. He/she waits (Piel PARTICIPLE, BDB 314, KB 313). This word has the connotation of "hoping, trusting, waiting" for God (cf. Isa. 8:17; 30:18; Hab. 2:3). Another root (BDB 875 I) is also translated "wait," but often not as theologically significant (cf Isa. 25:9; 26:8; 33:2; 40:31; Ps. 25:3; 27:14; 37:34; 40:1; 130:5; Prov. 20:22). 64:5 "You meet him who. . ." The VERB (Qal PERFECT, BDB 803, KB 910) in this context denotes an encounter of/for fellowship and/or kindness. Notice the kind of people YHWH "meets" with. him who rejoices in doing righteous him who remembers You in Your ways ▣ "We continued in them a long time And shall we be saved?" "In these ways we continue And we need to be saved" "Because you hid yourself we transgressed" "now we persist in your ways and we shall be saved" "We have been steeped in them from of old And can we be saved?" "therefore we went away" The MT is uncertain. AB suggests an emendation involving two consonants which yields, "we have long been rebels" (p. 190). ▣ Lines 3-5 ask a pertinent question. Israel/Judah are covenant-breaking people. Can a sinful people be "saved" (i.e. "delivered," BDB 446, KB 448) from the physical consequences of sin from the spiritual consequences of sin I want to believe, "Yes, yes, yes" (cf. Isa. 64:8-9)! But only divine mercy and grace (this chapter is a prayer for YHWH's intervention) can do it (recommended translation of UBS Text Project, p. 164). The consequences of Genesis 3 are staggering and relentless. However, in this context (i.e. Isa. 64:4-7) this verse is not redemptive but condemnatory (Isa. 64:8-12 are a cry for mercy). Israel sinned in the past and the present. If this is to be accepted as the meaning then the VERB "delivered" (ישׁע, BDB 446, KB 448, Niphal IMPERFECT) must be changed to "and we were evil" (רשׁע, BDB 957; LXX, NRSV, TEV). SPECIAL TOPIC: THE FALL OF MANKIND 64:6-7 Notice the consequences of sin. all of us ‒ scope of the problem (cf. Rom. 3:9-18,23; 11:32; Gal. 3:22) unclean (BDB 379) our righteousness is a polluted garment (cloth of menstruation, BDB 723, cf. Lev. 15:19-24) wither (BDB 615, KB 663, Qal IMPERFECT with waw, cf. Isa. 1:30; 34:4) like a leaf the wind takes us away none call on the name of the Lord (i.e. worship; see SPECIAL TOPIC: WORSHIP) YHWH reacts to this tragedy of a sinful covenant people, meant to promote and clarify His own character. He hid His face (cf. Isa. 1:15; 54:8; Deut. 31:18) He delivered us (MT, מוג, "melted," BDB 556, KB 555, an emendation to the root מגו, "hand over," [BDB 171, KB 545 I], fits better) into the power (i.e. consequences) of our iniquities (this is theologically parallel to Rom. 1:24,26,28!) These verses serve as a petition of confession. There is no reason why YHWH should forgive/forget, but He does (cf. Ps. 103:11-12; Isa. 1:18; 38:17; 43:25; 44:22; 55:6-7; Micah 7:19)! The new covenant is in view here (cf. Jer. 31:31-34; Ezek. 36:22-36). YHWH will deal with them (i.e. Israel) and with all humans in a new way based on His character, His acts, His purposes, and through His Son's actions and Spirit's drawing! SPECIAL TOPIC: CALL ON HIS NAME SPECIAL TOPIC: "THE NAME" OF YHWH
Isaías 64:8-12
64:8-12 This is a prayer of hope for YHWH to remember His covenant and not His children's sin. You are our Father (see SPECIAL TOPIC: FATHERHOOD OF GOD) You are the potter we are the work of Your hand (cf. Isa. 29:16; 45:9) 64:9 There is a series of commands in the sense of prayer requests. do not be angry beyond measure ‒ Qal IMPERFECT (BDB 893, KB 1124) used in a JUSSIVE sense, cf. Isa. 54:7-8 do not remember iniquity forever ‒ Qal IMPERFECT (BDB 269, KB 269) used in a JUSSIVE sense, cf. Isa. 43:25 look, all of us are Your people ‒ Hiphil IMPERATIVE (BDB 613, KB 661) All of these are similar to Isa. 57:16-17; Ps. 103:8-14. 64:10-11 All of the VERBS are PERFECTS ("become" used four times). They describe the complete destruction of YHWH's wrath. the cities of Palestine are a wilderness Jerusalem is desolate the temple burnt with fire (i.e. Babylon in 586 B.C. and Titus in A.D. 70) all Israel's precious things are in ruin 64:12 God's people cry out for restraint and compassion. Please, please, no more, they cry. Please come to us again!