Therefore the LORD shall have no joy in their young men, neither shall have mercy on their fatherless and widows: for every one is an hypocrite and an evildoer, and every mouth speaketh folly. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still.
So the Lord will find no joy in their young men, and he won't show mercy to their orphans and widows, because everyone is a hypocrite and does evil, and they all speak foolishness. Even after all this, God's anger hasn't gone away, his hand is still stretched out in judgment.
God is expressing deep grief that the corruption in Israel has become so complete that even the most vulnerable people (orphans and widows) have been infected by it, and his judgment must continue.
📚 Historical Context
During the prophet Isaiah's time in the 8th century BC, the northern kingdom of Israel was facing imminent judgment from God due to their widespread idolatry, social injustices, and hypocritical religious practices, as Assyria threatened invasion. This verse specifically warns that God's displeasure would extend even to the young, orphans, and widows, groups typically shown mercy, because the entire society was characterized by evil and deceitful speech. It reflects the broader biblical theme of divine accountability for national sin, as seen in Isaiah's prophecies calling for repentance amid political turmoil.
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