Isaiah 64:5-7 teaches several things about the nature of sin and the way it affects us.
The modern critic says, “How can God judge so brutally? How can he trample men like grapes?”
But Isaiah counters, “How can we be saved?” These verses contain a complete description of the impact of sin on human beings.
First, sin arouses the anger of God and directs it against us (Isaiah 64:5). "You are indeed angry, . . . And we need to be saved."
Second, sin is habit-forming: We continue to sin against God’s ways (Isaiah 64:5). "for we have sinned—/ In these ways we continue"
Third, sin is defiling, making it impossible for us to approach Him (Isaiah 64:6, 7). "But we are all like an unclean thing, . . . For You have hidden Your face from us"
Fourth, sin so corrupts our character that even the best we can do is fouled by base motives (Isaiah 64:6). "And all our righteousnesses are like filthy rags;"
Fifth, sin is destructive, shriveling us up from within and creating circumstances that sweep us away (Isaiah 64:6). "We all fade as a leaf, / And our iniquities, like the wind, / Have taken us away."
Sixth, sin alienates us from God, creating a distaste for the Lord that keeps us from calling on His name (Isaiah 64:7). "And there is no one who calls on Your name, / Who stirs himself up to take hold of You"
Seventh, sin causes God to hide His face from us and to judge us (Isaiah 64:7). "For You have hidden Your face from us, / And have consumed us because of our iniquities."
In view of all that sin has done to us, it is no wonder Isaiah cries out, “How then can we be saved?”
The answer is in Isaiah 64:8. Check it out.
The modern critic says, “How can God judge so brutally? How can he trample men like grapes?”
But Isaiah counters, “How can we be saved?” These verses contain a complete description of the impact of sin on human beings.
First, sin arouses the anger of God and directs it against us (Isaiah 64:5). "You are indeed angry, . . . And we need to be saved."
Second, sin is habit-forming: We continue to sin against God’s ways (Isaiah 64:5). "for we have sinned—/ In these ways we continue"
Third, sin is defiling, making it impossible for us to approach Him (Isaiah 64:6, 7). "But we are all like an unclean thing, . . . For You have hidden Your face from us"
Fourth, sin so corrupts our character that even the best we can do is fouled by base motives (Isaiah 64:6). "And all our righteousnesses are like filthy rags;"
Fifth, sin is destructive, shriveling us up from within and creating circumstances that sweep us away (Isaiah 64:6). "We all fade as a leaf, / And our iniquities, like the wind, / Have taken us away."
Sixth, sin alienates us from God, creating a distaste for the Lord that keeps us from calling on His name (Isaiah 64:7). "And there is no one who calls on Your name, / Who stirs himself up to take hold of You"
Seventh, sin causes God to hide His face from us and to judge us (Isaiah 64:7). "For You have hidden Your face from us, / And have consumed us because of our iniquities."
In view of all that sin has done to us, it is no wonder Isaiah cries out, “How then can we be saved?”
The answer is in Isaiah 64:8. Check it out.
