Isaiah 59:6 - Their webs won’t become garments. They won’t cover themselves with their works. Their works are works of iniquity, and acts of violence are in their hands.
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What does "Isaiah 59:6" mean?
Isaiah 59:6 is part of a larger passage (Isaiah 59:1-8) that speaks about the pervasive sin and corruption of the people of Israel. Let's break down the verse to understand its meaning:
"Their webs won’t become garments." This is a metaphor. Spiders spin webs, but webs are flimsy and offer no real protection. They are useless for clothing. In this context, "webs" represent the actions and efforts of the people. The verse is saying that their actions, despite their efforts, will not provide them with any security, righteousness, or true covering. Their works are ultimately ineffective and unable to provide the protection or atonement they need.
"They won’t cover themselves with their works." This reinforces the previous point. "Covering oneself" is often associated with righteousness or protection from judgment. The people's deeds, which are described as "webs," are not sufficient to cover their sins or provide them with any real security. They can't justify themselves or escape the consequences of their actions through their own efforts.
"Their works are works of iniquity..." This explains why their "webs" are useless. The root of the problem is that their deeds are actually evil and unjust ("iniquity"). They are not actions of righteousness or justice that could potentially bring favor or protection.
"...and acts of violence are in their hands." This provides a specific example of their "iniquity." They are engaging in violence. Their actions are not only inadequate for covering their sins but are actively harmful and destructive. Their hands, which should be used for good, are instead instruments of violence.
In essence, the verse is saying:
The people are trying to find security and justification through their actions, but their efforts are futile because their deeds are fundamentally evil and marked by violence. They cannot cover their sins or find protection through their own works, as those works are themselves sinful.
Here are some additional points to consider:
The Context of Isaiah 59: The chapter as a whole describes a situation where God's hand is not shortened to save, nor is his ear heavy to hear (Isaiah 59:1). The problem is not with God, but with the people's sins that have separated them from him (Isaiah 59:2).
Social Justice: This passage often resonates with themes of social justice. The "violence" in their hands suggests oppression, injustice, and exploitation of the vulnerable.
Theological Significance: This verse highlights the inadequacy of human works to achieve righteousness or salvation. It points to the need for divine intervention and grace, a theme that is prominent in the later chapters of Isaiah and in the New Testament.
In summary, Isaiah 59:6 is a powerful condemnation of superficial attempts to cover up deep-seated sin. It emphasizes the futility of relying on flawed actions for protection and underscores the need for true righteousness and justice.
Isaiah 59:6 - Their webs won’t become garments. They won’t cover themselves with their works. Their works are works of iniquity, and acts of violence are in their hands.
What does "Isaiah 59:6" mean?
Isaiah 59:6 is part of a larger passage (Isaiah 59:1-8) that speaks about the pervasive sin and corruption of the people of Israel. Let's break down the verse to understand its meaning:
"Their webs won’t become garments." This is a metaphor. Spiders spin webs, but webs are flimsy and offer no real protection. They are useless for clothing. In this context, "webs" represent the actions and efforts of the people. The verse is saying that their actions, despite their efforts, will not provide them with any security, righteousness, or true covering. Their works are ultimately ineffective and unable to provide the protection or atonement they need.
"They won’t cover themselves with their works." This reinforces the previous point. "Covering oneself" is often associated with righteousness or protection from judgment. The people's deeds, which are described as "webs," are not sufficient to cover their sins or provide them with any real security. They can't justify themselves or escape the consequences of their actions through their own efforts.
"Their works are works of iniquity..." This explains why their "webs" are useless. The root of the problem is that their deeds are actually evil and unjust ("iniquity"). They are not actions of righteousness or justice that could potentially bring favor or protection.
"...and acts of violence are in their hands." This provides a specific example of their "iniquity." They are engaging in violence. Their actions are not only inadequate for covering their sins but are actively harmful and destructive. Their hands, which should be used for good, are instead instruments of violence.
In essence, the verse is saying:
The people are trying to find security and justification through their actions, but their efforts are futile because their deeds are fundamentally evil and marked by violence. They cannot cover their sins or find protection through their own works, as those works are themselves sinful.
Here are some additional points to consider:
The Context of Isaiah 59: The chapter as a whole describes a situation where God's hand is not shortened to save, nor is his ear heavy to hear (Isaiah 59:1). The problem is not with God, but with the people's sins that have separated them from him (Isaiah 59:2).
Social Justice: This passage often resonates with themes of social justice. The "violence" in their hands suggests oppression, injustice, and exploitation of the vulnerable.
Theological Significance: This verse highlights the inadequacy of human works to achieve righteousness or salvation. It points to the need for divine intervention and grace, a theme that is prominent in the later chapters of Isaiah and in the New Testament.
In summary, Isaiah 59:6 is a powerful condemnation of superficial attempts to cover up deep-seated sin. It emphasizes the futility of relying on flawed actions for protection and underscores the need for true righteousness and justice.