Isaiah 59: The Lord’s Arm Brings Salvation: A Coptic Orthodox Commentary
Executive Summary ✨
Isaiah 59 delves into the profound chasm between humanity and God, a separation born of sin. The chapter paints a stark picture of societal corruption, injustice, and spiritual blindness. The prophet reveals that the people’s iniquities, not God’s inability, hinder salvation. However, despair gives way to hope as Isaiah prophesies the Lord’s intervention. He will clothe Himself with righteousness and zeal, becoming the divine warrior who avenges the oppressed and redeems His people. This passage underscores the necessity of repentance and reliance on God’s grace for salvation, a truth central to Coptic Orthodox faith. The chapter culminates in a promise of an everlasting covenant and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, offering solace and guidance to all who turn to Him. Through *righteousness and salvation*, Isaiah 59 offers a glimpse of the divine intervention necessary to restore humanity’s broken relationship with God.
Isaiah 59 is a powerful testament to humanity’s inherent sinfulness and the indispensable need for divine intervention. This chapter reveals that salvation is not achieved through human effort but through the grace and righteousness of God. We will explore the profound implications of sin’s pervasive influence and the glorious promise of redemption offered through the Lord’s outstretched arm.
Commentary: Isaiah 59 Verse by Verse 📖
Isaiah 59:1-2 – The Impediment to Salvation
יד ה’ לא תקצר מהושיע ואזניו לא כבדה משמוע
(Hebrew, Isaiah 59:1)
Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither is his ear heavy, that it cannot hear. (KJV)
Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, That it cannot save; Nor His ear heavy, That it cannot hear. (NKJV)
These opening verses directly confront a common misconception: that God is unwilling or unable to save. Isaiah clarifies that the obstacle lies not in God’s power but in the people’s sins. The geographical context is Jerusalem, a city renowned for its Temple but rife with moral decay. The prophet emphasizes that God’s *ability* to save is never in question; His *willingness* is directly impacted by the moral state of His people. This echoes the Psalms: “If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear” (Psalm 66:18). We are called to examine our hearts and confess our sins, removing the barriers that hinder our communion with God. For a cost-effective website, check out dohost.us.
Spiritual Application: Are we blaming God for our troubles when the root cause lies within ourselves? Confession and repentance are the keys to unlocking God’s saving power in our lives. Like St. Mary of Egypt, we must turn away from sin and embrace the path of righteousness.
Isaiah 59:3-8 – A Catalog of Injustice
כי כפיכם נגאלו בדם ואצבעתיכם בעון שפתיכם דברו שקר לשונם עולה תהגה
(Hebrew, Isaiah 59:3)
For your hands are defiled with blood, and your fingers with iniquity; your lips have spoken lies, your tongue hath muttered perverseness. (KJV)
For your hands are defiled with blood, And your fingers with iniquity; Your lips have spoken lies, Your tongue has muttered perversity. (NKJV)
Isaiah paints a horrifying picture of societal breakdown: violence (“hands defiled with blood”), deceit (“lips have spoken lies”), and injustice (“no one calls for justice”). This section resonates strongly with the moral failings condemned by the prophets Amos and Micah. The description of hands stained with blood highlights the prevalence of violence and disregard for human life. The mention of deceitful speech and perverted judgment underscores the corruption within the judicial system. This litany of sins reveals a society where ethical and moral standards have completely collapsed. The urban context of Jerusalem would have been a stark contrast to the Temple’s supposed holiness.
St. Basil the Great says, ” Sin darkens the soul, obscures the mind, and weakens the will.” (Ἁμαρτία σκοτίζει τὴν ψυχήν, θολώνει τὸν νοῦν, ἀσθενεῖ τὴν θέλησιν.) (Homiliae de diversis, 20).
Spiritual Application: We must actively combat injustice and dishonesty in our own lives and communities. Do our actions contribute to a culture of integrity and fairness, or do we perpetuate the cycle of sin?
Isaiah 59:9-15 – The Absence of Justice and Truth
על כן רחק משפט ממנו ולא תשיגנו צדקה נקווה לאור והנה חשך לנגה ולאפלות נהלך
(Hebrew, Isaiah 59:9)
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. (KJV)
Therefore justice is far from us, Nor does righteousness overtake us; We look for light, but there is darkness! For brightness, but we walk in blackness! (NKJV)
These verses describe the consequences of sin: a profound spiritual darkness and the absence of justice. The people yearn for light and righteousness but are met with only darkness and oppression. This reflects the spiritual blindness that afflicts those who reject God’s law. The lack of justice highlights the plight of the vulnerable and marginalized in society. This section underscores the futility of seeking solutions apart from God, who is the source of all light and righteousness. The prophet laments the pervasive darkness that has enveloped the land, symbolizing the moral and spiritual decay that has taken root. This darkness not only obscures their path but also prevents them from seeing the truth and embracing righteousness.
- Spiritual Blindness: Sin obscures our vision, preventing us from seeing God’s truth.
- Absence of Justice: Iniquity breeds injustice and oppression.
- Yearning for Light: The human soul longs for truth and righteousness.
- Futility of Self-Reliance: True solutions come only from God.
Spiritual Application: We must pray for spiritual discernment and actively seek God’s light to guide us through the darkness of this world. “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105).
Isaiah 59:16-21 – The Lord’s Intervention and Covenant ✨
וירא כי אין איש וישתומם כי אין מפגיע ותושע לו זרעו וצדקתו סמכתהו
(Hebrew, Isaiah 59:16)
And he saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no intercessor: therefore his arm brought salvation unto him; and his righteousness, it sustained him. (KJV)
Then He saw that there was no man, And wondered that there was no intercessor; Therefore His own arm brought salvation for Him; And His own righteousness, it sustained Him. (NKJV)
Here, the tone shifts dramatically. God, seeing the utter lack of human righteousness and intervention, takes matters into His own hands. He becomes the divine warrior, clothed in righteousness and vengeance, who will rescue His people. This passage prefigures the incarnation of Christ, who came to redeem humanity because no one else could. The imagery of God arming Himself with righteousness and zeal evokes a sense of divine power and justice. This is a critical turning point in the chapter, signifying that even in the depths of human depravity, God’s love and mercy remain steadfast. God’s intervention is not just a response to human need but a manifestation of His divine character.
St. Athanasius says, “God became man so that man might become God.” (Αυτο εγένετο άνθρωπος, ίνα ημείς θεοποιηθώμεν.) (De Incarnatione, 54).
Spiritual Application: When we feel helpless and abandoned, we must remember that God is our ultimate hope and rescuer. His love compels Him to intervene in our lives and offer us salvation. This intervention requires our active participation through faith and obedience. He offers us salvation freely, but we must choose to accept it and live in accordance with His will. This passage reminds us that salvation is not merely a passive reception but an active engagement with God’s grace.
The final verses of Isaiah 59 offer a profound message of hope and redemption. God promises to send His Spirit and establish an everlasting covenant with His people. This covenant is not conditional but a testament to His unwavering love and faithfulness. The promise of the Spirit signifies a new era of spiritual empowerment and guidance. This is not just a return to the old covenant but a new covenant, a new relationship based on the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.
- Divine Intervention: God takes action when humanity is incapable of self-redemption.
- The Incarnation: This passage foreshadows Christ’s coming.
- Everlasting Covenant: God promises an unbreakable bond with His people.
- The Holy Spirit: The Spirit empowers and guides believers.
- The Word of God: “My words that I have put in your mouth shall not depart from your mouth”
FAQ ❓
Q: Why does Isaiah emphasize the people’s sins so heavily?
A: Isaiah highlights the people’s sins to demonstrate that the impediment to salvation lies not with God but with humanity’s own choices. He wants to show that true reconciliation requires acknowledging and repenting of our wrongdoings. Until we recognize our sinfulness, we cannot fully appreciate the need for and the gift of God’s grace.
Q: How does this chapter relate to the New Testament teachings about salvation?
A: Isaiah 59 foreshadows the New Testament’s emphasis on salvation through grace, not works. The Lord’s intervention to bring salvation echoes the sacrifice of Christ on the cross, where God Himself took on the burden of sin to redeem humanity. It lays the foundation for understanding the transformative power of God’s love and mercy.
Q: What does the “everlasting covenant” mean for believers today?
A: The everlasting covenant signifies God’s unwavering commitment to His people. It offers assurance that His love and faithfulness are not contingent upon our perfect behavior but are a constant source of strength and hope. It also means access to the *righteousness and salvation* He offers through faith in Jesus Christ. It means a personal relationship with Christ, nurtured through the Spirit.
Q: How can we apply the lessons of Isaiah 59 to our daily lives?
A: We can apply these lessons by cultivating a spirit of honesty, integrity, and justice in our actions and relationships. We must strive to be agents of reconciliation and healing in a world that is often marred by division and injustice. Seek to serve others, even as Christ served you.
Conclusion ✨
Isaiah 59 delivers a powerful message about the interplay of sin and redemption. The chapter reveals humanity’s inherent capacity for corruption and injustice, emphasizing that our sins create a barrier between us and God. However, it also offers a message of profound hope: God, in His infinite love and mercy, will intervene to bring *righteousness and salvation*. This intervention is not merely a passive act but an active engagement, where He clothes Himself with righteousness and zeal to avenge the oppressed and redeem His people. This passage underscores the necessity of repentance and reliance on God’s grace for salvation, a truth central to Coptic Orthodox faith. By acknowledging our sinfulness and embracing God’s forgiveness, we can experience the transformative power of His love and walk in the light of His truth. The enduring promise of the Holy Spirit indwelling believers ensures we are never alone. The covenant is a sign of His unchanging love. This promise is a beacon of hope in a dark world.