Isaiah Chapter 59

Isaiah 59, The Reality Check

A. The Sin God Sees

1. Isaiah 59:1, The Problem of God’s People, What the Cause Is Not

Isaiah 59:1, “Behold, the LORD'S hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear:”

Isaiah 59 begins with a necessary correction. The people of Judah were looking at their suffering, national weakness, unanswered prayers, and continuing distress, and they were tempted to conclude that the problem must be with God. Perhaps His hand had become shortened. Perhaps He no longer had the strength to save. Perhaps His ear had become heavy. Perhaps He could no longer hear their cries. The LORD answers that charge immediately, “Behold, the LORD'S hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear.”

The word “Behold” demands attention. God is telling His people to look at the matter rightly. The problem is not divine weakness. The problem is not divine deafness. The LORD has not lost power, authority, concern, knowledge, or ability. His saving arm remains mighty. His hearing remains perfect. God is not limited by the trouble His people face.

This verse addresses one of the deepest questions in practical theology. If God is all powerful and loving, why does suffering continue? Fallen man often assumes that if God does not immediately remove suffering, then He must either lack power or lack love. Isaiah rejects that conclusion. The LORD’s hand is not shortened. He is not weak. His ear is not heavy. He is not unaware or indifferent.

Numbers 11:23, “And the LORD said unto Moses, Is the LORD'S hand waxed short? thou shalt see now whether my word shall come to pass unto thee or not.”

The same truth is repeated in Jeremiah.

Jeremiah 32:17, “Ah Lord GOD! behold, thou hast made the heaven and the earth by thy great power and stretched out arm, and there is nothing too hard for thee:”

The God of Scripture is not a limited deity who means well but cannot act. He is sovereign, omnipotent, and fully able to save. Any theology that tries to defend God’s goodness by denying His sovereignty does not represent the God of the Bible. The LORD does not need to be excused for weakness. He has none.

The people also needed to know that God’s ear was not heavy. He hears. He knows. He is aware of every cry, every injustice, every tear, every hidden sin, and every sincere prayer. Psalm 34:15, “The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry.” The issue was not that God could not hear. The issue was that their sin had broken fellowship and corrupted their prayers.

2. Isaiah 59:2, The Problem of God’s People, What the Cause Is

Isaiah 59:2, “But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.”

After declaring what the problem is not, God now declares what the problem is. “But your iniquities have separated between you and your God.” The issue is sin. The people were not suffering because God had become weak. They were not unanswered because God had become deaf. They were separated from the blessing, favor, and fellowship of God because of their own iniquities.

This is a hard truth, but it is necessary. Men often prefer to blame circumstances, enemies, systems, leaders, history, or even God Himself before they will face their own sin. Judah had to stop accusing God and start examining themselves. Their iniquities had created separation.

This does not mean sin removes a person from the omnipresence of God. God is everywhere.

Psalm 139:7-10, “Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence? If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there. If I take wings of morning, and dwell in uttermost parts sea; Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me.”

Sin also does not mean God ceases to love sinners. God loved us while we were still in sin.

Romans 5:8, “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”

Yet sin does separate. It separates the sinner from fellowship with God. At the point of sin, the sinner is no longer thinking with God, walking with God, or submitting to God. Sin separates from the blessings of obedience because the sinner is no longer trusting the LORD. Sin separates from the enjoyment of God’s love, just as the prodigal son was still loved by his father but did not enjoy the blessings of the father’s house while he lived in rebellion.

Luke 15:17-20, “And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, And am no worthy to be called thy son: make me as one thy hired servants. And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.”

The father loved the prodigal even while he was gone, but the prodigal did not enjoy fellowship, provision, or nearness while he remained in sin. This is the kind of separation Isaiah describes.

The LORD also says, “and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.” The hidden face of God speaks of the loss of felt favor and covenant blessing. Israel knew the language of God’s face shining upon His people.

Numbers 6:24-26, “The LORD bless thee, and keep thee: The LORD make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.”

Their sin had caused the opposite experience. Instead of the shining face of blessing, they experienced the hidden face of discipline. God had not lost the ability to hear, but He refused to hear prayers that were offered while sin remained cherished and unrepented.

This helps explain, in a limited but important way, the cry of Christ from the cross. Matthew 27:46, “And about ninth hour Jesus cried with loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” Christ had no sin of His own, yet He stood in the place of sinners. He bore our sin, and in that mysterious and awful moment, He endured the forsakenness that sin deserves. The Father’s face was hidden from Him in a real judicial sense, not because Christ was guilty personally, but because He bore the guilt of His people.

2 Corinthians 5:21, “For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made righteousness God in him.”

3. Isaiah 59:3-8, A Detailed Description of the Sins of God’s People

Isaiah 59:3-8, “For your hands are defiled with blood, and your fingers with iniquity; your lips have spoken lies, your tongue hath muttered perverseness. None calleth for justice, nor any pleadeth for truth: they trust in vanity, and speak lies; they conceive mischief, and bring forth iniquity. They hatch cockatrice' eggs, and weave spider's web: he that eateth their eggs dieth, and that which is crushed breaketh out into viper. Their webs shall not become garments, neither shall they cover themselves with their works: their works are works iniquity, and the act violence is in their hands. Their feet run to evil, and they make haste to shed innocent blood: their thoughts are thoughts iniquity; wasting and destruction are in their paths. The way peace they know not; and there is no judgment in their goings: they have made them crooked paths: whosoever goeth therein shall not know peace.”

The LORD now gives a full diagnosis of Judah’s sin. He does not speak vaguely. He names the corruption of hands, fingers, lips, tongue, courts, thoughts, works, feet, and paths. This is sin from head to toe. Judah’s problem was not superficial. It was moral, social, spiritual, and comprehensive.

The LORD begins, “For your hands are defiled with blood, and your fingers with iniquity.” Their actions were violent and unjust. Blood was on their hands. This may include literal violence, murder, oppression, approval of injustice, and the guilt of participating in systems that destroyed the innocent. The hands that should have been lifted in prayer were defiled with blood.

Isaiah 1:15, “And when ye spread forth your hands, I will hide mine eyes from you: yea, when ye make prayers, I will not hear: your hands are full blood.”

The fingers are also mentioned because sin was not accidental or distant. Their fingers were involved in iniquity. They touched it, handled it, worked it, and carried it out. God sees not only the broad public act but the detailed personal involvement.

The LORD continues, “your lips have spoken lies, your tongue hath muttered perverseness.” Their speech was corrupt. Lies were normal. Perversity came easily. A corrupt society is always marked by corrupt speech. When truth collapses, justice cannot stand. When words are twisted, relationships, courts, worship, and government become corrupt.

Proverbs 12:22, “Lying lips are abomination to LORD: but they that deal truly are his delight.”

Isaiah says, “None calleth for justice, nor any pleadeth for truth.” This means the people were not merely individually sinful. Public righteousness had collapsed. No one was calling for justice. No one was pleading for truth. The courts, leadership, and society were filled with selfishness and dishonesty. Every man sought his own advantage. Truth and justice were treated as obstacles rather than obligations.

They “trust in vanity, and speak lies.” Vanity means emptiness, falsehood, and nothingness. They trusted what could not support them. They built arguments, policies, relationships, and worship on lies. Isaiah is diagnosing the madness of sin. The people thought they were acting wisely, but it was vanity.

The imagery becomes severe. “They conceive mischief, and bring forth iniquity.” Sin is pictured like conception and birth. The heart conceives evil, and actions give birth to iniquity. Wickedness is not random. It is conceived inwardly before it appears outwardly.

James 1:14-15, “But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.”

Isaiah then says, “They hatch cockatrice' eggs, and weave spider's web.” The cockatrice or viper image shows that their schemes produce death. Whoever eats of their eggs dies. If one of the eggs is crushed, a viper breaks out. In other words, nothing good comes from their plans. Whether consumed or crushed, their wickedness produces harm.

Their plots are also like a spider’s web. A spider weaves with skill, patience, and purpose, but the purpose is to trap and devour. Wicked men may appear intelligent, strategic, and effective, but their schemes are predatory. They entangle neighbors, exploit the weak, and build networks of deception.

Yet God says, “Their webs shall not become garments, neither shall they cover themselves with their works.” Their schemes cannot cover them before God. Their works are too thin, too weak, and too corrupt to clothe their shame. A man cannot cover sin with sin. He cannot hide from God behind religious activity, excuses, politics, money, influence, or clever speech.

Genesis 3:7, “And eyes them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons.”

Adam and Eve tried to cover themselves, but only God could provide an adequate covering. So also here, Judah’s webs cannot become garments. Their works cannot cover their guilt.

Isaiah says, “their works are works iniquity, and the act violence is in their hands.” The hands, already defiled with blood, are again shown to be instruments of violence. Their problem is active wickedness. This is not merely weakness or ignorance. It is chosen rebellion.

The LORD continues, “Their feet run to evil, and they make haste to shed innocent blood.” Their feet are not hesitant. They run. They hurry toward evil. This describes eagerness in sin. They are quick to violence, quick to injustice, quick to destroy.

Paul quotes this passage in Romans 3 to demonstrate universal human depravity.

Romans 3:10-18, “As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. They are all gone out way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one. Their throat is open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; poison asps is under their lips: Whose mouth is full cursing and bitterness: Their feet are swift to shed blood: Destruction and misery are in their ways: And way peace have they not known: There is no fear God before their eyes.”

Paul uses Isaiah to show that sin is not merely external. It affects the whole man. Mouth, feet, ways, and heart are corrupted apart from grace.

Isaiah also says, “their thoughts are thoughts iniquity.” This shows that sin is not only behavioral. It is intellectual and inward. The mind itself is corrupted. Men do not merely do evil. They plan evil, justify evil, imagine evil, and normalize evil.

Genesis 6:5, “And GOD saw that wickedness man was great in earth, and that every imagination thoughts his heart was only evil continually.”

The result is, “wasting and destruction are in their paths.” Sin always leaves wreckage. It destroys families, nations, churches, consciences, and futures. It promises freedom but produces ruin.

Finally, “The way peace they know not; and there is no judgment in their goings: they have made them crooked paths: whosoever goeth therein shall not know peace.” Their crooked paths cannot produce peace. Peace is not found by walking away from God. Peace is not found in lies, violence, injustice, or self will. The crooked path may seem useful for a season, but it never leads to shalom.

This prepares the reader for the later promise of the Redeemer. Judah’s condition is so corrupt that only divine salvation can answer it.

B. The Effects of Sin the People See

1. Isaiah 59:9-11, Because of Their Sin, Darkness Comes

Isaiah 59:9-11, “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. We grope for wall like blind, and we grope as if we had no eyes: we stumble at noonday as in night; we are in desolate places as dead men. We roar all like bears, and mourn sore like doves: we look for judgment, but there is none; for salvation, but it is far off from us.”

The people now begin to recognize the results of their sin. The word “Therefore” connects their condition directly to the sins listed in the previous verses. Because they had rejected justice, justice was far from them. Because they had despised righteousness, righteousness did not overtake them. God often gives people over to the consequences of what they chose.

Galatians 6:7-8, “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to Spirit shall Spirit reap life everlasting.”

They say, “we wait for light, but behold obscurity; for brightness, but we walk in darkness.” They wanted light after choosing darkness. This is the bitter irony of sin. When darkness is optional, it may feel adventurous to the rebellious heart. But when light is withdrawn and darkness becomes the atmosphere of life, despair follows. The people had chosen lies, violence, and crooked paths, and now they could not find brightness.

This is consistent with the moral order of God’s world. A man cannot love darkness and then complain that he cannot see. John 3:19-20, “And this is condemnation, that light is come into world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For every one that doeth evil hateth light, neither cometh to light, lest his deeds should be reproved.”

They continue, “We grope for wall like blind, and we grope as if we had no eyes.” Sin has disoriented them. They are like blind men trying to find stability. The wall represents something solid to lean on, something fixed in a world of confusion. But they cannot find their way. Spiritual blindness produces social confusion, moral instability, and personal despair.

They say, “we stumble at noonday as in night.” This is severe. Noonday is the brightest part of the day, yet they stumble as if it were night. This means the problem is not lack of available light, but lack of sight. God had given His Word, prophets, Law, temple, covenant, and warnings, yet they remained blind.

They are “in desolate places as dead men.” Sin makes men spiritually dead even while they are physically alive. It leaves them desolate, hollow, and separated from the life of God.

Their emotional condition is described with two images, “We roar all like bears, and mourn sore like doves.” The bear roars in frustration, hunger, and agitation. The dove mourns softly in grief. Together, these images show the full range of misery caused by sin, rage and sorrow, agitation and grief, noise and mourning.

They conclude, “we look for judgment, but there is none; for salvation, but it is far off from us.” This is the reality check. They once blamed God’s hand or ear. Now they see that judgment, justice, and salvation are far away because of their sin. God’s people are finally beginning to understand the truth.

2. Isaiah 59:12-15a, Confessing Their Sin and Admitting Their Guilt

Isaiah 59:12-15, “For our transgressions are multiplied before thee, and our sins testify against us: for our transgressions are with us; and as for our iniquities, we know them; In transgressing and lying against LORD, and departing away from our God, speaking oppression and revolt, conceiving and uttering from heart words falsehood. And judgment is turned away backward, and justice standeth afar off: for truth is fallen in street, and equity cannot enter. Yea, truth faileth; and he that departeth from evil maketh himself prey:”

This is the turning point in the chapter. The people stop accusing God and begin confessing their guilt. They say, “For our transgressions are multiplied before thee, and our sins testify against us.” Their sins are not few. They are multiplied. Their sins are not hidden. They testify against them. Sin becomes its own witness in the courtroom of God.

This confession is healthier than their earlier complaint. Before, they asked why God did not see their fasting. Now they admit that God sees their sin. Before, they implied that God was failing them. Now they admit that they have sinned against Him.

They say, “for our transgressions are with us; and as for our iniquities, we know them.” This is honest repentance beginning to speak. They no longer pretend ignorance. They know their iniquities. They carry the awareness of guilt. True confession does not generalize sin away. It owns it.

Psalm 51:3-4, “For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me. Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest.”

They confess “transgressing and lying against LORD, and departing away from our God.” Sin is first against God. It may harm people, corrupt society, and destroy relationships, but its deepest offense is against the LORD. They lied against Him and departed from Him. Every moral collapse begins with departure from God.

They also confess “speaking oppression and revolt, conceiving and uttering from heart words falsehood.” Their speech was the overflow of corrupt hearts. Oppression, rebellion, and falsehood were not accidental slips of the tongue. They were conceived in the heart and spoken through the mouth.

Matthew 12:34, “O generation vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out abundance heart mouth speaketh.”

The social results are severe. “And judgment is turned away backward, and justice standeth afar off.” When truth collapses, justice cannot enter. A society built on lies cannot produce righteousness. Courts, families, churches, and governments all depend on truth. If truth is rejected, justice will be distorted.

Isaiah says, “truth is fallen in street, and equity cannot enter.” Truth has fallen publicly. It is not merely hidden in private. It has collapsed in the open street. Equity, meaning uprightness and fairness, cannot enter because the way is blocked by corruption.

Then comes one of the most sobering statements, “Yea, truth faileth; and he that departeth from evil maketh himself prey.” The society has become so corrupt that the man who turns from evil becomes a target. Righteousness is punished. Integrity becomes dangerous. The man who refuses to participate in evil is treated as prey.

This is a sign of deep moral collapse. When evil is celebrated and righteousness is hunted, judgment is near. Isaiah 5:20, “Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness light, and light darkness; that put bitter sweet, and sweet bitter!”

C. The Salvation and Redemption the LORD Sees

1. Isaiah 59:15b-16a, What the LORD Saw

Isaiah 59:15-16, “And the LORD saw it, and it displeased him that there was no judgment. And he saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no intercessor:”

The LORD saw the condition of His people clearly. Nothing was hidden from Him. The people had finally confessed their corruption, but God had seen it all along. “The LORD saw it, and it displeased him that there was no judgment.” God is not indifferent to injustice. He is displeased when judgment, justice, truth, and righteousness are absent.

This matters because men often assume that if judgment is delayed, God does not see or care. Isaiah says the opposite. God sees, and He is displeased. Delay is not indifference. Patience is not approval.

Proverbs 15:3, “The eyes LORD are in every place, beholding evil and good.”

The LORD also saw “that there was no man.” There was no qualified leader to correct the condition. No faithful national figure rose to restore righteousness. No man stood in the gap. No human deliverer could solve the problem.

Then Isaiah says God “wondered that there was no intercessor.” This does not mean God was ignorant or surprised in the creaturely sense. It is anthropomorphic language, describing the shocking moral absence of anyone to plead, lead, intervene, and stand before God for the people. There was no intercessor to plead God’s case to the people and the people’s repentance before God.

Ezekiel 22:30, “And I sought for man among them, that should make up hedge, and stand in gap before me for land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none.”

This exposes the desperate condition of man. Not only is sin great, but no sinner can produce the final answer. Judah needed more than reform. Judah needed redemption. No man was found, so God Himself would act.

2. Isaiah 59:16b-19, What the LORD Did

Isaiah 59:16-19, “Therefore his arm brought salvation unto him; and his righteousness, it sustained him. For he put on righteousness as breastplate, and an helmet salvation upon his head; and he put on garments vengeance for clothing, and was clad with zeal as cloak. According to their deeds, accordingly he will repay, fury to his adversaries, recompence to his enemies; to islands he will repay recompence. So shall they fear name LORD from west, and his glory from rising sun. When enemy shall come in like flood, Spirit LORD shall lift up standard against him.”

Because no man was found and no intercessor stood forward, “his arm brought salvation unto him.” The LORD Himself acted. This is one of the great salvation themes in Isaiah. God does not depend on human strength to accomplish redemption. He may use men, prophets, kings, and intercessors, but when none is found, His own arm is sufficient.

Isaiah 63:5, “And I looked, and there was none to help; and I wondered that there was none to uphold: therefore mine own arm brought salvation unto me; and my fury, it upheld me.”

God’s salvation is grounded in His own righteousness. “His righteousness, it sustained him.” Man’s righteousness could not sustain the work because man’s righteousness had failed. God’s own righteousness upheld His saving and judging action. This points forward to the gospel, where salvation is not built on human merit but on the righteousness of God revealed in Christ.

Romans 3:21-22, “But now righteousness God without law is manifested, being witnessed by law and prophets; Even righteousness God which is by faith Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference.”

Isaiah then pictures the LORD as a divine warrior. “For he put on righteousness as breastplate, and an helmet salvation upon his head.” God arms Himself with righteousness and salvation. He is not morally compromised. He does not fight with injustice. His armor is holy. He comes to save His people, destroy His enemies, and vindicate His name.

This connects directly to Paul’s teaching on the armor of God.

Ephesians 6:10-17, “Finally, my brethren, be strong in Lord, and in power his might. Put on whole armour God, that ye may be able to stand against wiles devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against rulers darkness this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you whole armour God, that ye may be able to withstand in evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on breastplate righteousness; And your feet shod with preparation gospel peace; Above all, taking shield faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all fiery darts wicked. And take helmet salvation, and sword Spirit, which is word God.”

Paul calls it the whole armor of God because it belongs to God before it is given to the believer. Isaiah shows the LORD wearing righteousness and salvation. Ephesians shows believers called to put on God’s armor as they stand in spiritual warfare. The armor is not self confidence, personality, education, or human toughness. It is truth, righteousness, gospel readiness, faith, salvation, and the Word of God.

Isaiah continues, “and he put on garments vengeance for clothing, and was clad with zeal as cloak.” God’s vengeance is not sinful revenge. It is holy justice. He repays evil because He is righteous. His zeal is His burning commitment to His own glory, His covenant purposes, and the deliverance of His people.

The LORD will repay “according to their deeds.” His judgment is just. He gives fury to His adversaries and recompense to His enemies. The coastlands and islands, representing distant nations, are not beyond His reach. God’s justice is universal.

The result will be global reverence. “So shall they fear name LORD from west, and his glory from rising sun.” From west to east, the name and glory of the LORD will be feared. God’s ultimate victory will not be local only. His glory will be known across the earth.

Malachi 1:11, “For from rising sun even unto going down same my name shall be great among Gentiles; and in every place incense shall be offered unto my name, and pure offering: for my name shall be great among heathen, saith LORD hosts.”

Then comes the great promise, “When enemy shall come in like flood, Spirit LORD shall lift up standard against him.” The enemy may come suddenly, forcefully, and overwhelmingly, like a flood. But the Spirit of the LORD is greater. He lifts up a standard, a battle banner, against the enemy. The enemy is not final. The flood is not sovereign. The Spirit of God raises the standard and halts the advance.

This does not mean believers never face hard battles. It means the enemies of God will never finally triumph over the LORD. God may give His people the privilege of standing and fighting in His armor, but His victory does not depend on human strength.

Romans 8:37, “Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.”

The believer is more than a conqueror, not because he is sufficient in himself, but because he belongs to the victorious Lord.

3. Isaiah 59:20-21, What the LORD Said

Isaiah 59:20-21, “And Redeemer shall come to Zion, and unto them that turn from transgression in Jacob, saith LORD. As for me, this is my covenant with them, saith LORD; My spirit that is upon thee, and my words which I have put in thy mouth, shall not depart out thy mouth, nor out mouth thy seed, nor out mouth thy seed's seed, saith LORD, from henceforth and for ever.”

The LORD now speaks the promise of redemption. “And Redeemer shall come to Zion.” The word Redeemer carries the idea of the kinsman redeemer, the goel. In Israel’s law, the kinsman redeemer had the responsibility to rescue, reclaim, avenge, and preserve the family. This included buying a fellow Israelite out of slavery, redeeming lost family land, avenging innocent blood, and preserving the family name.

Leviticus 25:25, “If thy brother be waxen poor, and hath sold away some his possession, and if any his kin come to redeem it, then shall he redeem that which his brother sold.”

Leviticus 25:48-49, “After that he is sold he may be redeemed again; one his brethren may redeem him: Either his uncle, or his uncle's son, may redeem him, or any that is nigh kin unto him of his family may redeem him; or if he be able, he may redeem himself.”

Numbers 35:19, “The revenger blood himself shall slay murderer: when he meeteth him, he shall slay him.”

Deuteronomy 25:5-6, “If brethren dwell together, and one them die, and have no child, wife dead shall not marry without unto stranger: her husband's brother shall go in unto her, and take her to him to wife, and perform duty husband's brother unto her. And it shall be, that firstborn which she beareth shall succeed in name his brother which is dead, that his name be not put out Israel.”

The goel protected the person, property, justice, and posterity of the family. Isaiah declares that the Redeemer will come to Zion. In the fullest sense, this Redeemer is the Lord Jesus Christ. He is our near kinsman because He took on true humanity. He is fully God and fully man. He is qualified to redeem because He shares our nature without sharing our sin.

John 1:14, “And Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld his glory, glory as only begotten Father, full grace and truth.”

Hebrews 2:14-15, “Forasmuch then as children are partakers flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part same; that through death he might destroy him that had power death, that is, devil; And deliver them who through fear death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.”

Christ buys us out of slavery, secures our inheritance, avenges righteousness, defeats our enemies, and preserves our future. He is the Redeemer Isaiah promised.

The Redeemer comes “unto them that turn from transgression in Jacob.” The promise is not for those who cling to rebellion while claiming covenant privilege. It is for those who turn from transgression. Repentance does not purchase redemption, but it marks those who receive the Redeemer rightly. The one who refuses to turn from sin shows that he does not understand his need for redemption.

Paul quotes this passage in Romans 11 in connection with Israel’s future salvation.

Romans 11:25-27, “For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until fulness Gentiles be come in. And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out Sion Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob: For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins.”

From a dispensational Baptist perspective, this is significant. God has not permanently cast away Israel. There is present blindness in part, but there remains a future national turning of Israel to the Redeemer. The same Lord who exposes Israel’s sin also promises Israel’s redemption.

The LORD then says, “As for me, this is my covenant with them.” Redemption is covenantal. God Himself makes the covenant. The covenant includes the Spirit and the Word. “My spirit that is upon thee, and my words which I have put in thy mouth, shall not depart out thy mouth, nor out mouth thy seed, nor out mouth thy seed's seed.”

God accomplishes His work by His Spirit and His Word. The Spirit gives life, conviction, power, and renewal. The Word gives truth, instruction, promise, and testimony. A people restored by God will not be Spiritless and Wordless. They will be marked by the abiding presence of the Spirit and the enduring truth of God’s Word.

This points forward to the New Covenant promises.

Jeremiah 31:33-34, “But this shall be covenant that I will make with house Israel; After those days, saith LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people. And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know LORD: for they shall all know me, from least them unto greatest them, saith LORD: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.”

Ezekiel 36:26-27, “A new heart also will I give you, and new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away stony heart out your flesh, and I will give you heart flesh. And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.”

The promise extends “from henceforth and for ever.” God’s covenant faithfulness is not temporary. His Spirit and Word endure. The Redeemer’s work is not fragile. The LORD who exposes sin also provides salvation, raises the standard, and guarantees His covenant purpose.

Theological Summary of Isaiah 59

Isaiah 59 gives a direct reality check to the people of God. Their suffering, darkness, and unanswered prayers were not caused by weakness in God. The LORD’s hand was not shortened. His ear was not heavy. The problem was their sin. Their iniquities had separated them from fellowship with God, and their sins had hidden His face from them.

The chapter gives a full diagnosis of sin. Their hands were defiled with blood, their lips spoke lies, justice was absent, truth was rejected, their thoughts were corrupt, their feet ran to evil, and their paths were crooked. Sin affected the whole person and the whole society. The result was darkness, blindness, frustration, mourning, and the absence of peace.

Yet the chapter also moves from confession to redemption. When no man could be found and no intercessor stood in the gap, the LORD Himself acted. His own arm brought salvation. He put on righteousness as a breastplate and salvation as a helmet. He came as divine warrior, judge, and Savior. When the enemy comes in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD lifts up a standard against him.

The climax is the promise of the Redeemer who will come to Zion. This Redeemer is fulfilled in Jesus Christ, the true kinsman redeemer, fully God and fully man, who redeems His people from bondage, secures their inheritance, and turns away ungodliness. The chapter ends with covenant hope, the abiding Spirit and enduring Word of God will not depart from His people.