However, no one ever takes the context into consideration, taking this one verse by itself to make a doctrine. Let's look at this in its context to see what Isaiah is saying here.
First of all, the audience, and subjects of this prophecy, in fact, the majority of the prophetic book of Isaiah, are the Israelites. To narrow it down further, the southern kingdom of Judah was whom Isaiah primarily ministered to. A common mistake people make when interpreting Old Testament passages is to assume that the passage is speaking to the Church. While we can apply principles and precepts found in these passages to us today, if we fail to understand that these prophecies and promises apply to Israel first and foremost, we muddy the waters, and have problems understanding the passage.
It is vital to us to understand the theme of Isaiah, and then what are the surrounding chapters, and surrounding verses telling us. This is what I intend to do in this post.
Isaiah confronts a nation who has turned from God. His message is one of indictment, judgement, and future redemption. (See Isaiah 1:1-31). Many of the prophecies deal with the near future Babylonian captivity, yet in the long term, the time of the great tribulation and the coming of the Messiah as Israel's deliverer are in view. Often these themes overlap each other.
As we look at the immediate chapters around chapter 64 we again read of indictment (Isaiah 59:1-8). In a passage very much like Isaiah 64:4-7, a confession of the nations utter wickedness is made (Isaiah 59:9-14). Salvation is far from them due to their sinfulness. This is a people who as a whole have abandoned the Lord and live totally in sinful rebellion. As we read these passages we see a nation under judgement. Their land lies desolate, the sanctuary destroyed. Again, the captivity in Babylon, and ultimately the desolation of the last days are in view.
This period of desolation is the backdrop for chapter 64 which is a plea for the Lord to come and deliver His people. But as one reads through this chapter it becomes painfully obvious that it is sin that has caused this nation to be in the situation it is in. Isaiah 64:5-7 is a confession of their continuance in sin, and an acknowledgement of the just anger of the Lord. The question is asked "How can we be saved?" They go on to acknowledge that their righteousness is like a filthy garment, their iniquities, like the wind, have carried them away.
Although they kept up the ritual aspects of the law, they had departed from the Lord, and He had withdrawn from them. They had no righteousness, even their fasts and sacrifices were an abomination to God, as they flowed out of hypocrisy.
This passage is not teaching us that as Christians our obedience, our good works that flow out of a heart that loves God and desires to please Him, are tainted. Righteous acts that flow from right motives are not filthy rags in God's sight, in fact the opposite is true. Revelation 19:8 states that fine linen robes, bright and clean represent the righteous deeds of the saints.
I would agree that deeds done out of selfish motives, or hypocrisy are not righteous at all. But one who is made right through Jesus Christ will live right. That is what righteousness is, and that individual is pleasing to God.
Again, this passage is speaking of God's people who have grievously departed from Him in their hearts and in their conduct. They are under His chastening hand, and in their cry for deliverance they confess their sinful state. That is what this passage means in its proper context.
The day will come when Israel is once again desolate, they cry out in repentance and find restoration, as they finally recognize their Messiah.
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