Isaiah 64:7
And there is none that calleth upon thy name, that stirreth up himself to take hold of thee: for thou hast hid thy face from us, and hast consumed us, because of our iniquities.
Isaiah 64:7 · King James Version
Meaning
This verse, found in the book of Isaiah in the Bible, expresses a profound sense of separation between God and his people due to their sins and iniquities. The speaker laments that there is no one who calls upon God's name or stirs themselves to seek Him. This lack of seeking God is seen as a result of God hiding his face from them, a metaphor for withdrawing his presence and blessings. The consequences of this separation are described as being consumed by their sins, leading to hardship and suffering. This verse serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of seeking and calling upon God, as well as the consequences of turning away from Him. It emphasizes the idea that through repentance and seeking God, reconciliation and restoration can be achieved. Ultimately, this verse highlights the need for individuals to recognize their sins and shortcomings, and to actively pursue a relationship with God in order to receive His guidance, protection, and blessings.
Theological Overview
In this verse, the speaker laments the fact that there is no one who calls upon God's name and stirs themselves to take hold of Him. The imagery used here is that of reaching out to God, trying to connect with Him in prayer and seeking after Him with earnestness and fervor. However, the speaker expresses the belief that God has hidden His face from them and allowed them to be consumed by their iniquities as a consequence. This highlights the idea that when we turn away from God and allow sin to take hold in our lives, we may feel a sense of separation from Him and experience the consequences of our actions. The phrase "stirreth up himself to take hold of thee" suggests the importance of actively seeking after God and reaching out to Him in times of trouble. It serves as a reminder that we must be intentional in our relationship with God and not passively wait for Him to come to us. This verse serves as a call to action for believers to repent of their sins and turn back to God, seeking His face and His guidance in all areas of their lives.
Isaiah 64:7 in other translations
American Standard Version
And there is none that calleth upon thy name, that stirreth up himself to take hold of thee; for thou hast hid thy face from us, and hast consumed us by means of our iniquities.
World English Bible
There is no one who calls on your name, who stirs up himself to take hold of you; for you have hidden your face from us, and have consumed us by means of our iniquities.
Douay-Rheims
There is none that calleth upon thy name: that riseth up, and taketh hold of thee: thou hast hid thy face from us, and hast crushed us in the hand of our iniquity.
Geneva Bible (1599)
And there is none that calleth vpon thy Name, neither that stirreth vp himselfe to take holde of thee: for thou hast hid thy face from vs, and hast consumed vs because of our iniquities.