Isaiah 43:22-28·~1 min

Israel’s Unfaithfulness

Far from calling on the LORD with delight, Jacob has grown weary of Him and failed to bring the worship that would honor Him. Instead of burdening them with oppressive ritual demands, God says they have burdened Him with their sins; astonishingly, the answer is still grace, for He Himself is the one who blots out transgressions for His own sake and chooses not to remember their sins.

B²²ut you have not called on Me, O Jacob, ²³You have not brought Me sheep for burnt offerings, ²⁴You have not bought Me sweet cane with your silver, ²⁵I, yes I, am He

The LORD invites a legal reckoning, as if to ask what defense Israel can honestly mount, but immediately reminds them that their story has been marked by sin from the first father onward and by rebellion even among their spokesmen. For that reason the princes of the sanctuary are disgraced, and Jacob and Israel are given over to curse and reproach.

²⁶Remind Me, let us argue the matter together. ²⁷Your first father sinned, ²⁸So I will disgrace the princes of your sanctuary,

Section summaryThe final section exposes how Israel has not responded to God as a worshiping people should. They have not truly called upon Him or honored Him with sacrificial devotion, but instead have burdened Him with sins. Yet the LORD declares that He Himself blots out transgressions for His own sake; even so, He invites the case to be stated, reminds them that their history is marked by sin, and explains that sanctuaries and Jacob alike have come under judgment because of that unfaithfulness.

Role in the chapterThis section makes clear that forgiveness is God's free act, not the reward of faithful worship Israel has rendered.