Verse

Isaiah 5:19

ESV who say: “Let him be quick, let him speed his work that we may see it; let the counsel of the Holy One of Israel draw near, and let it come, that we may know it!”
NIV to those who say, 'Let God hurry; let him hasten his work so we may see it. The plan of the Holy One of Israel-- let it approach, let it come into view, so we may know it.'
NASB Who say, 'Let Him hurry, let Him do His work quickly, so that we may see it; And let the plan of the Holy One of Israel approach And come to pass, so that we may know it!'
CSB to those who say, "Let him hurry up and do his work quickly so that we can see it! Let the plan of the Holy One of Israel take place so that we can know it! "
NLT They even mock God and say, 'Hurry up and do something! We want to see what you can do. Let the Holy One of Israel carry out his plan, for we want to know what it is.'
KJV That say, Let him make speed, and hasten his work, that we may see it: and let the counsel of the Holy One of Israel draw nigh and come, that we may know it!

What does Isaiah 5:19 mean?

In the previous verse Isaiah declared a "woe" of judgment and sadness over those in Israel who continually and intentionally participate in sinful rebellion against God (Isaiah 5:18). These actions are all without fear of consequences. Now Isaiah describes their mockery warnings about sin and its consequences. He quotes these people as responding to prophecies by saying, in essence, "Tell God to get on with it. Tell Him to hurry up and bring this judgment already. We want to see it. Come now, we are ready."

This resembles some modern critics of religion who purposefully "blaspheme" God as a way of mocking faith. They dare God to react, then sneer when consequences don't come immediately. The sinners to whom Isaiah speaks were openly taunting the God of Israel. This contempt cements the understanding that they didn't honestly think that there would ever be consequences to their actions. Their response shows that they were tired of hearing Isaiah talk about it and were daring God to "just do it, already."
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