Isaiah 64:12

“Wilt thou refrain thyself for these things, O Lord? &c.] From delivering us out of our troubles and miseries, and taking vengeance on our enemies, and showing thy zeal for thine own glory; or, as Kimchi paraphrases it, “how canst thou contain thyself for these things, and not have mercy?” how canst thou bear to see Judea, and all its cities, a wilderness; Jerusalem, and the temple of it, in ruins? wilt thou hold thy peace? or, “be silent”; and not plead thine own cause, and the cause of thy people? and afflict us very sore? exceedingly, even to extremity; or for ever, as the Targum, thinking it long, as well as heavy. Jerom observes, that the Jews say these words in their synagogues every…”

“for these things--Wilt Thou, notwithstanding these calamities of Thy people, still refuse Thy aid (Isa 42:14)? In Isa 64:9, their plea was, "we are all Thy people." In answer, God declares that others (Gentiles) would be taken into covenant with Him, while His ancient people would be rejected. The Jews were slow to believe this; hence Paul says (Rom 10:20) that Isaiah was "very bold" in advancing so unpopular a sentiment; he implies what Paul states (Rom 2:28; Rom 9:6-7; Rom. 11:1-31), that "they are not all (in opposition to the Jews' plea, Isa 64:9) Israel which are of Israel." God's reason for so severely dealing with Israel is not changeableness in Him, but sin in them (Isa 65:2-7). Yet…”

“Wilt thou refrain thyself - Wilt thou refuse to come to our aid? Wilt thou decline to visit us, and save us from our calamities? Wilt thou hold thy peace - Wilt thou not speak for our rescue, and command us to be delivered? Thus closes this chapter of great tenderness and beauty. It is a model of affectionate and earnest entreaty for the divine interposition in the day of calamity. With such tender and affectionate earnestness may we learn to plead with God! Thus may all his people learn to approach him as a Father: thus feel that they have the inestimable privilege, in times of trial, of making known their needs to the High and Holy One. Thus, when calamity presses on us; when as…”

“Wilt thou - Do none of these things move thee to take vengeance? Thy peace - Wilt thou be as one that regards not? Next: Isaiah Chapter 65”

“Isa 42:14; Psa 10:1, Psa 74:10, Psa 74:11, Psa 74:18, Psa 74:19, Psa 79:5, Psa 80:3, Psa 80:4, Psa 83:1, Psa 89:46-51; Zac 1:12; Rev 6:10 Next: Isaiah Chapter 65”