Isaiah 47:6
I was wroth with my people, I have polluted mine inheritance, and given them into thine hand: thou didst shew them no mercy; upon the ancient hast thou very heavily laid thy yoke.
ISAIAH 47:6
This verse reveals divine anger directed at Israel’s own people: “I was wroth with my people, I have polluted mine inheritance, and given them into thine hand.” The imagery of inheritance emphasizes God’s relationship with Israel as Father and land as treasure entrusted to people who failed in mercy and justice. Babylon’s oppression is framed as a consequence of Israel’s own disobedience and failure to heed prophetic calls for righteousness. The yoke placed upon Israel by Babylon is heavy, showing how moral failure invites coercive power. The phrasing also suggests that oppression is not only political but spiritual—a letting go of covenant faithfulness. The historical context includes the Assyrian and Babylonian periods when Judah’s idolatry invited judgment and captivity.
This verse underscores the seriousness of communal sin and divine discipline. It reveals God’s fidelity to his covenant—discipline aims at correction and redirection toward repentance, not annihilation. It also raises questions about divine sovereignty and human responsibility: God permits consequences but remains the redeemer who invites return.
If you or your community experiences hardship due to collective choices, consider restorative actions: confess complicity, pursue justice, and reorient toward mercy. It’s a call to examine systemic issues—where power is wielded without compassion—and to advocate for the vulnerable. In personal life, reflect on areas where you’ve neglected mercy in pursuit of comfort or advantage. Seek reconciliation, repair damaged relationships, and champion reform that elevates human dignity.
Cross-References: Leviticus 26:14-17; Jeremiah 2:19; Hosea 6:1-2; Hebrews 12:6