Isaiah 9:13 - Printer Friendly

ESV: The people did not turn to him who struck them, nor inquire of the LORD of hosts.

NIV: But the people have not returned to him who struck them, nor have they sought the LORD Almighty.

NASB: Yet the people do not turn back to Him who struck them, Nor do they seek the Lord of armies.

CSB: The people did not turn to him who struck them; they did not seek the Lord of Armies.

NLT: For after all this punishment, the people will still not repent. They will not seek the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.

KJV: For the people turneth not unto him that smiteth them, neither do they seek the LORD of hosts.

NKJV: For the people do not turn to Him who strikes them, Nor do they seek the Lord of hosts.

The northern ten tribes of Israel have been dwelling in their faithlessness and disobedience to the Lord. They have trusted other gods, other nations, and themselves instead of their God. Judgement is coming from the Lord (Isaiah 9:9–11).

Now Isaiah describes the coming judgment as an opportunity. He has pictured the Lord as sending the Syrians and the Philistines to devour Israel as with an open mouth (Isaiah 9:12). Following this utter destruction, Israel would recognize that nothing they have been relying on saved them. They could decide to turn back to their God and ask Him to help them. This could have been the moment they asked for restoration from the Lord.

That's not what they did, though. They did not turn to the one who brought this judgement. Isaiah shows the Lord bringing this judgment on them as a parent disciplines a rebellious child: in hopes that the child will turn and repent. Israel will not respond with repentance. Nor will they turn to the Lord for help. They will continue to turn away from Him, seeking help from other sources.

Isaiah 9:8–21 returns to describing the judgment coming upon Israel in Isaiah's time. Despite the arrogance of the people, the enemies of their allies will devour them. When the people do not repent, the Lord will wipe out their leaders. He will have no compassion for the sinful people in every level of society. Wickedness burns through the people like a wildfire, turning human lives into fuel. Sinfulness causes people to devour each other and even themselves in trying to satisfy sin's appetite. The Lord will judge Israel for all of it.

Isaiah 9 begins prophecy about a future when darkness will be lifted from Israel. The nation will be free, prosperous, and at permanent peace. This will happen because God will send a child who will become a king on David's throne. More than a man, this king will be called Mighty God and Prince of Peace and will rule forever. In Isaiah's day, though, God's judgment will soon fall on Israel. He will wipe out their leaders. Wickedness burns through the nation like fire.

Isaiah 9 begins with what may be the conclusion of the previous chapter. Isaiah 8 ended with the description of the darkness experienced by those in Israel who reject the Lord. The prophet describes a day in Israel's far future when the gloom will lift and glory will return. A child will become king of Israel, but He will also be the Everlasting Father who will rule forever. However, In Isaiah's time, the Lord will judge Israel with destruction from other nations. The following chapter pronounces disaster for the people who persist in sin.

Isaiah is among the most important prophetic books in the entire Bible. The first segment details God's impending judgment against ancient peoples for sin and idolatry (Isaiah 1—35). The second part of Isaiah briefly explains a failed assault on Jerusalem during the rule of Hezekiah (Isaiah 36—39). The final chapters predict Israel's rescue from Babylonian captivity (Isaiah 40—48), the promised Messiah (Isaiah 49—57), and the final glory of Jerusalem and God's people (Isaiah 58—66).

Accessed 4/30/2024 6:40:11 PM