Israel’s sins had thoroughly polluted her and had placed her in an apparently hopeless position (cf. Isaiah 6:5). Furthermore, she could not stop sinning. Was there any hope for her? She was as unclean as a leper, as repulsive as menstrual cloths, and as spiritually lifeless as a dead leaf on a tree ready to be blown away by more sin. read more
Furthermore, none of the Israelites felt concerned enough about their sinful condition to seek the Lord, and to try to lay hold of Him in prayer. This was understandable, since God had hidden Himself from His people; they saw no hope that He would respond, even if they should now pray (cf. Isaiah 59:16; Isaiah 63:5). read more
The delayed salvation 63:7-64:12If the Lord was capable of defeating Israel’s enemies, as the previous revelation of the Warrior claimed, why had He not acted for Israel already? This intercessory communal lament explains that delayed salvation was not because of Yahweh’s inability or disinterest, but because of Israel’s manipulative attitude toward Him. Isaiah’s other prayers on Israel’s behalf are in Isaiah 6:11; Isaiah 25:1-5; Isaiah 51:9-10; Isaiah 59:9-15; and Isaiah 62:1 (cf. 1 Samuel... read more
Yet Isaiah did appeal to God for help. He appealed on the basis that Yahweh had brought Israel into existence and was, therefore, responsible for her-regardless of her condition (cf. Isaiah 63:16). She was just inert clay, but He was the Potter who had formed Israel as the work of His own hands (cf. Jeremiah 18:1-6; Romans 9:19-21). read more
The prophet pled with God not to be overly angry with Israel and to put the memory of her sins behind Him. God should look on Israel in mercy simply because Israel was Yahweh’s chosen people. read more
Judah lay desolate. Jerusalem was in ruins. The holy cities of the holy God reflected nothing of His greatness. read more
The holy temple had been burned, and all the precious things associated with Yahweh worship in it were gone. Isaiah was speaking for the Israelites who lived after the Exile had begun. Thus the Israelites were ashamed as well as ruined. Would God not do something in view of a situation that reflected so negatively on Him and His promises? read more
In conclusion, Isaiah asked the Lord if He would restrain Himself from acting in view of all these conditions. One could paraphrase here: "Lord, how can You not do something after all that has happened?" Would He remain silent to His people’s prayers and allow their affliction to continue beyond what they could endure? Would He show no compassion?The next two chapters give the Lord’s response to this impassioned prayer of intercession for hopeless Israel. read more
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Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Isaiah 64:5
The prophet knew that God has fellowship with those who practice righteousness and who "remember His ways," i.e., to walk in them. He wondered if there was any hope of Israel being saved, since she had sinned so much for so long, and since this sinning had angered God. read more