This second prophetic address continues the reproachful theme of the first. In the previous prophecy we found the virtues which are well-pleasing to God, and to which He promises redemption as a reward of grace, set in contrast with those false means, upon which the people rested their claim to redemption. In the prophecy before us the sins which retard redemption are still more directly exposed. "Behold, Jehovah's hand is not too short to help, nor His ear too heavy to hear; but your iniquities have become a party-wall between you and your God, and your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He does not hear." The reason why redemption is delayed, is not that the power of Jehovah has not been sufficient for it (cf., Isaiah 50:2), or that He has not been aware of their desire for it, but that their iniquities (עונתיכם with the second syllable defective) have become dividers (מבדּלים, defective), have grown into a party-wall between them and their God, and their sins (cf., Jeremiah 5:25) have hidden pânı̄m from them. As the "hand" (yâd) in Isaiah 28:2 is the absolute hand; so here the "face" pânı̄m) is that face which sees everything, which is everywhere present, whether uncovered or concealed; which diffuses light when it unveils itself, and leaves darkness when it is veiled; the sight of which is blessedness, and not to see which is damnation. This absolute countenance is never to be seen in this life without a veil; but the rejection and abuse of grace make this veil a perfectly impenetrable covering. And Israel had forfeited in this way the light and sight of this countenance of God, and had raised a party-wall between itself and Him, and that משּׁמוע, so that He did not hear, i.e., so that their prayer did not reach Him (Lamentations 3:44) or bring down an answer from Him.

Isaiah 59:7 Parallel Commentaries

feet

Proverbs 1:16 For their feet run to evil, and make haste to shed blood.

Proverbs 6:17 A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,

Romans 3:15 Their feet are swift to shed blood:

and they

Isaiah 59:3 For your hands are defiled with blood, and your fingers with iniquity; your lips have spoken lies...

Jeremiah 22:17 But your eyes and your heart are not but for your covetousness, and for to shed innocent blood, and for oppression, and for violence...

Lamentations 4:13 For the sins of her prophets, and the iniquities of her priests, that have shed the blood of the just in the middle of her,

Ezekiel 9:9 Then said he to me, The iniquity of the house of Israel and Judah is exceeding great, and the land is full of blood...

Ezekiel 22:6 Behold, the princes of Israel, every one were in you to their power to shed blood.

Matthew 23:31-37 Why you be witnesses to yourselves, that you are the children of them which killed the prophets...

Revelation 17:6 And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus: and when I saw her...

their thoughts

Proverbs 15:26 The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the LORD: but the words of the pure are pleasant words.

Proverbs 24:9 The thought of foolishness is sin: and the scorner is an abomination to men.

Mark 7:21,22 For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders...

Acts 8:20-22 But Peter said to him, Your money perish with you, because you have thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money...

wasting

Isaiah 60:18 Violence shall no more be heard in your land, wasting nor destruction within your borders; but you shall call your walls Salvation...

Romans 3:16 Destruction and misery are in their ways:

destruction. Heb. breaking