Isaiah 8:17-18
I will wait for the LORD, who is hiding his face from the house of Jacob, and I will hope in him. Behold, I and the children whom the LORD has given me are signs and portents in Israel from the LORD of hosts, who dwells on Mount Zion.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The phrase "who is hiding his face" isn't just about God being distant; it emphasizes that this withdrawal is a direct, active response to Jacob's sin, a deliberate turning away from them due to their actions. Isaiah's waiting and hoping in this context becomes an act of profound faith, not just passive patience, demonstrating trust in God's ultimate faithfulness even when His favor seems withdrawn.
The prophet Isaiah has just received a divine instruction to take a great scroll and write a prophecy concerning an impending judgment on Judah, marked by the names of his own children. This prophecy is in response to the people's reliance on foreign alliances rather than trusting in God's protection during a time of regional conflict. Isaiah is now declaring his personal commitment to wait for and hope in the Lord, even though God's favor seems withdrawn from his people due to their sin.
Have you ever felt like God has turned His back on you? Isaiah speaks of this experience directly, but it's not a sign of His absence.
Isaiah writes, 'the LORD, who is hiding his face from the house of Jacob.' This isn't just a poetic phrase; it describes a profound spiritual reality where God's presence, favor, and guidance feel withdrawn. This 'hiding of the face' is often a consequence of sin and disobedience, leading to a sense of abandonment and confusion for His people. It's a sobering reminder that though God is sovereign and active, His manifest presence can be withdrawn due to His people's actions. This withdrawal isn't punishment without purpose; it's often a wake-up call, a severe mercy meant to lead His people back to Him.
When God seems distant, what does it mean to 'wait' and 'hope' in Him? Isaiah's example shows it's far from passive resignation.
Isaiah declares, 'I will wait for the LORD... and I will hope in him.' This 'waiting' is not mere passive sitting around; it's an active, expectant posture. It's a deliberate choice to fix one's gaze on God, believing in His ultimate purposes even when His present actions are unclear or painful. This hope is rooted in God's character and His promises, not in favorable circumstances. Isaiah’s waiting is a demonstration of faith—trusting that God’s purposes will ultimately prevail, even when His face is hidden. It's about anticipating His relenting and His return of favor, holding onto the assurance that He has not abandoned His people forever.
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Understand the original words
YHWH · Hebrew Noun
The covenant God of Israel, the I AM, who reveals His character, presence, and redemptive purposes throughout salvation history.
satar / panim · Hebrew Verb / Noun
A metaphorical expression describing God’s withholding of favor, blessing, or immediate presence, often as a consequence of His people's rebellion or sin.
qavah · Hebrew Verb
A confident, patient expectation based on the character and promises of God, grounded in the certainty of His faithfulness.
ot / mopheth · Hebrew Noun
Events, objects, or persons divinely appointed to point beyond themselves, serving as physical or symbolic reminders of God’s truth, warning, or coming judgment.
YHWH Sabaoth · Hebrew Noun
A title for God emphasizing His sovereignty over the entire universe, including the celestial armies and all created powers.
Tsiyyon · Hebrew Noun
The earthly location chosen by God for His name to dwell, symbolizing His royal presence, reign, and the place from which He governs and blesses His people.
Isaiah's declaration of waiting and hope is set against a backdrop of intense geopolitical pressure and the looming threat of Assyrian conquest. God's 'hiding of His face' refers to the apparent withdrawal of His protection and favor, a consequence of Judah's sin and the existential threat posed by powerful empires.
c. 734 BC
Syro-Ephraimite War begins
The kings of Aram (Syria) and Israel (Ephraim) attempt to force Judah into an alliance against the Assyrian Empire. When Judah refuses, they invade.
c. 733 BC
Assyrian invasion of the region
In response to Judah's call for help against the Syro-Ephraimite alliance, the Assyrian Empire, under Tiglath-Pileser III, invades and conquers northern territories, including Damascus.
c. 732 BC
Fall of Samaria
The Assyrian army conquers the capital of the northern kingdom of Israel, deporting many of its citizens. The northern kingdom is effectively dissolved.
c. 727 BC
Assyrian King Tiglath-Pileser III dies
The death of the powerful Assyrian king leads to a period of instability, but the threat to Judah remains.
c. 722 BC
Fall of Samaria (Second Deportation)
Though Samaria fell earlier, a subsequent deportation occurs under Shalmaneser V and Sargon II, further dismantling the northern kingdom.
c. 705-681 BC
Reign of Sennacherib of Assyria
Sennacherib continues Assyrian expansion, launching a major campaign against Judah, which is later detailed in Isaiah.
c. 701 BC— this verse
Sennacherib's campaign against Judah
Assyrian forces under Sennacherib devastate much of Judah, besieging Jerusalem. The prophet Isaiah offers counsel and reassurance to King Hezekiah.
This psalm expresses a similar lament of God hiding His face in times of distress, highlighting the human experience of feeling abandoned despite outward circumstances.
Isaiah 50:10This passage offers solace to those in darkness, urging them to trust in the Lord and walk by faith, paralleling Isaiah's stance in 8:17.
Habakkuk 2:3This verse speaks of waiting patiently for God's promises, even when they seem to tarry, which strongly resonates with Isaiah's patient hope in a difficult time.
John 1:5This verse speaks of light shining in darkness and the darkness not overcoming it, offering a theological parallel to waiting for God's light even when His face is hidden.
Micah 7:7The prophet Micah declares his intention to wait for the Lord, expressing hope for salvation even when facing adversity, mirroring Isaiah's determined faith.
pulpitIsaiah 8:17: "And I will wait upon the LORD, that hideth his face from the house of Jacob, and I will look for him."
Verses 17, 18. - ISAIAH DEFINES HIS OWN ATTITUDE AND THAT OF HIS CHILDREN. It is questioned whether something has not fallen out between vers. 16 and 17. The transition is exceedingly abrupt, undoubtedly; but perhaps not more abrupt than elsewhere in Isaiah and the prophets contemporary with him. The Divine "instruction" comes to an end in ver. 16; and Isaiah might have been expe…
barnesIsaiah 8:17: "And I will wait upon the LORD, that hideth his face from the house of Jacob, and I will look for him."
And I will wait upon the Lord - This is the commencement of a new subject. The prophet had closed his former message; but had seen that in regard to the great mass of the nation, his exhortation had been in vain. He now says, that having delivered his message, he would patiently look to God alone. His hope was in him, though the nation looked elsewhere; and though calamities were…
The phrase "who is hiding his face" isn't just about God being distant; it emphasizes that this withdrawal is a direct, active response to Jacob's sin, a deliberate turning away from them due to their actions. Isaiah's waiting and hoping in this context becomes an act of profound faith, not just passive patience, demonstrating trust in God's ultimate faithfulness even when His favor seems withdrawn.
The prophet Isaiah has just received a divine instruction to take a great scroll and write a prophecy concerning an impending judgment on Judah, marked by the names of his own children. This prophecy is in response to the people's reliance on foreign alliances rather than trusting in God's protection during a time of regional conflict. Isaiah is now declaring his personal commitment to wait for and hope in the Lord, even though God's favor seems withdrawn from his people due to their sin.
The prophet Isaiah has just received a divine instruction to take a great scroll and write a prophecy concerning an impending judgment on Judah, marked by the names of his own children. This prophecy is in response to the people's reliance on foreign alliances rather than trusting in God's protection during a time of regional conflict. Isaiah is now declaring his personal commitment to wait for and hope in the Lord, even though God's favor seems withdrawn from his people due to their sin.
"I will wait for the LORD, who is hiding his face from the house of Jacob, and I will hope in him. Behold, I and the children whom the LORD has given me are signs and portents in Israel from the LORD of hosts, who dwells on Mount Zion." — The phrase "who is hiding his face" isn't just about God being distant; it emphasizes that this withdrawal is a direct, active response to Jacob's sin, a deliberate turning away from them due to thei…
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