Only Jehovah Can Save

False gods perform no powerful acts of salvation for their worshipers. Isaiah writes: "From time long ago none have heard, nor have given ear, or has an eye itself seen a God, except you, that acts for the one that keeps in expectation of him. You have met up  with the one exulting and doing righteousness, those who keep remembering you in your own ways." ( Isaiah 64:4, 5a)  Jehovah alone is "the rewarder of those earnestly seeking him." (Hebrews 11:6) He acts to protect those doing righteousness and those remembering him.  (Isaiah  30:18)  Have the Jews acted in this way?  No. Isaiah says to Jehovah:  "Look! You yourself became indignant, while we kept sinning -- in them a long time, and should we be saved?" (Isaiah 64:5b) Because God's people have a long record of persistent sinfulness, there is no basis for Jehovah to hold back his indignation and act for their salvation.

The Jews cannot undo the past, but if they repent and return to pure worship, they can hope for forgiveness and future blessings. Jehovah will reward repentant ones in his due time by releasing them from Babylonian captivity.  Still, they need to be patient. Despite their repentance, Jehovah will not change his timetable.  If they keep alert and are responsive to Jehovah's will, however, they are assured of eventual liberation.  Similarly, Christians today patiently keep in expectation of Jehovah.  ( 2 Peter 3:11, 12) We take to heart the words of the apostle Paul, who said: "Let us not give up in doing what is fine, for in due season we shall reap if we do not tire out." -Galatians 6:9.

Isaiah's prophetic prayer is more than a formal confession of sin. It expresses  sincere recognition of the nation's inability to save itself.  The prophet says: "We become like someone unclean, all of us, and all our acts of righteousness are like a garment for periods of menstruation; and we shall fade away like the leafage, all of us, and our errors themselves will carry us away just like a wind."  (Isaiah 64:6)  By the end of the exile, repentant Jews  may have ceased practicing apostasy. They may have turned to Jehovah with acts of righteousness.  But they are still imperfect.  Their good deeds, while praise-worthy, are no better than soiled garments when it comes to atonement for sins. Jehovah's forgiveness is an undeserved gift motivated by his mercy.  It is not something that can be earned.-Romans 3:23, 24.

As Isaiah looks ahead, what does he see?  The prophet prays:  "There is no one calling upon your name, no one rousing himself to lay hold on you; for you have concealed  your face from us, and you cause us to melt by the power of our error."  (Isaiah 64:7)  The spiritual condition of the nation is abysmal.  The people have not been calling upon God's name in prayer. While no longer guilty of the gross sin of idolatry, they are evidently negligent in their worship, and there is "no one rousing himself to lay hold" on Jehovah.  They clearly do not enjoy a healthy relationship with the Creator.  Perhaps some feel unworthy to address Jehovah in prayer. Others may go about their daily routine without taking him into account.  Of course, there are such individuals as Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, Azariah, and Ezekiel among the exiles, and these are fine examples of faith.  (Hebrews 11:33, 34)  As the 70-year period  of captivity draws to a close, such men as Haggai, Zechariah, Zerubbabel, and High Priest Joshua stand ready to take an excellent lead in calling upon the name of Jehovah.  Still, Isaiah's prophetic prayer seems to describe the condition of the majority of the exiles. 

Next time: "To Obey Is Better Than a Sacrifice"

From the Book Isaiah's Prophecy Light for all Mankind, Volume II, 2001