Isa 63:15-64:12 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for Isa 63:15-64:12: 63:15–64:12 The prophet’s reflections on the past (63:7-14 ) inspire him to pray that God would now rescue his people as he has done before.

Summary for Isa 63:15-64:12: 63:15–64:12 ^a The prophet’s reflections on the past (63:7-14 ^b) inspire him to pray that God would now rescue his people as he has done before.
63:16 ^c our Father: God’s fatherhood and his commitment to his children are much more important and secure than national ancestry (see 9:6 ^d; 64:8 ^e; Deut 32:6 ^f; Ps 68:5 ^g; Mal 2:10 ^h; Matt 6:9-15 ⁱ; Rom 8:15-17 ^j).
63:17 ^k The prophet understands that God has the power to keep his people faithful, so he asks, why have you allowed us to turn from your path?

• Return and help us: God likewise has the power to call his people back to himself (Ezek 36:25-27 ^l) and to defeat all their enemies.
63:18 ^m The people were supposed to be holy, but their lack of holiness had led to destruction.

• The holy place was the Temple, which the Babylonians destroyed in 586 BC (64:11 ⁿ; 2 Kgs 25:1-21 ^o).
63:19 ^p Israel was constantly turning from God and then being punished by him.

‏ Isaiah 64

Summary for Isa 64:5-6: 64:5-6 ^q constant sinners ... infected and impure with sin: See also 59:1-15 ^r. The only hope for salvation and transformation is through Jesus Christ (see Rom 7:25–8:11 ^s).
64:7 ^t you have turned away from us: See 1:15 ^u; 30:20 ^v; 59:2 ^w.

• turned us over to our sins: Because the people were so bent on sinning, God left them to perish in their sinful ways (see Rom 1:24 ^x).
64:8 ^y clay ... potter: See also 29:16 ^z; 45:9 ^aa; Rom 9:20-21 ^ab.
64:10 ^ac holy cities: All the cities of Judah were considered holy to God. However, the Temple in the host city of Jerusalem was the most holy place.