Class Notes on Isaiah 6:9-13

Isa 6:9-10 He said, “Go and tell this people: // “‘Be ever hearing, but never understanding; // be ever seeing, but never perceiving.’ // 10 Make the heart of this people calloused; // make their ears dull // and close their eyes.a // Otherwise they might see with their eyes, // hear with their ears, // understand with their hearts, // and turn and be healed.” NIV

a 9,10 Hebrew; Septuagint `You will be ever hearing, but never understanding; | you will be ever seeing, but never perceiving.’ | This people~s heart has become calloused; | they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes

• One person felt that God was telling Isaiah how the people would respond, rather than an actual message. I disagree because the verses starts out, "Go and tell this people …"
• Why does God not give the people a chance to respond?
  • First of all, the previous discussion concerning vines is best understood as referring to people groups and nations, Israel and Judah in this case
  • God has rejected his people as a nation, because they have not done what he wanted them to do, as a nation (be a light to the world around them). So God hardens the heart of the nation in response to their hard heart
  • Also, God does not stop individuals from responding to the message. As in Matt 11, where the leaders reject Jesus as the messiah, despite the fulfillment of the messianic miracles, God withdraws the offer of the kingdom to the nation Israel at that time. God does not prevent individual Jews from responding to the message. The entire early church was Jewish believers

• Mark 4:25 Whoever has will be given more; whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him." NIV
• APPLICATION: There is a principle is this verse which relates to the prophecy. When God gives, he expects us to use what he has given or taught us. When we don't use it we lose it and more

Isa 6:11-13 Then I said, “For how long, O Lord?” // And he answered: // “Until the cities lie ruined // and without inhabitant, // until the houses are left deserted  // and the fields ruined and ravaged, // 12 until the Lord has sent everyone far away // and the land is utterly forsaken. // 13 And though a tenth remains in the land, // it will again be laid waste. // But as the terebinth and oak // leave stumps when they are cut down, // so the holy seed will be the stump in the land.” NIV

• How does Isaiah respond and why?
  • He wants to know how long, probably because he doesn't understand how God could blind his own people

• What is God's response?
  • The judgment will continue until the land is ruined, ravaged, and barren
  • After that, the blindness is lifted

• Another thought, is that only a tenth remain, possibly the group brought back by Ezra and Nehemiah. Antiochus IV of Syria will almost destroy this group during the 400 silent years. Ultimately, Jesus is the true holy seed that will arise out of this mess
• APPLICATION: Even in judgment, God offers hope. And there is always hope for the individual who will repent and turn to God