Isaiah 26:10

10 Let favour be showed to the wicked, yet will he not learn righteousness: in the land of uprightness he will deal unjustly and will not behold the majesty of the LORD.

Isaiah 26:10 Meaning and Commentary

Isaiah 26:10

Let favour be showed to the wicked
As it often is in a providential way; they have the good things of this life, and sometimes more than heart could wish for; nor are they in trouble as other men; they have many mercies, and many deliverances; they have their portion here, and are filled with hidden treasure, and are spared when others are cut off; and, besides sparing mercy and providential goodness, sometimes enjoy the means of grace, have the word and ordinances: [yet] will ye not learn righteousness;
neither repent of sin, nor reform from it; though "the goodness of God" should, yet it does not, "lead" him "to repentance"; he neither learns the righteousness of God, nor of Christ, nor the insufficiency of his own righteousness, nor to live a truly righteous and godly life; all means and mercies will not do, without the efficacious grace of God: in the land of uprightness will he deal unjustly;
in the land of Judea, where were the laws and statutes of God, which were just and equitable, the word and worship of God, and many good men, who lived uprightly, and set good examples; and yet wicked men went on in their sinful courses. Jarchi interprets it of Jerusalem, and the temple, and of men's spoiling, plundering, and destroying there; and the Talmud ^F24 of wicked Esau, by whom the Romans are meant, that should destroy Jerusalem, and the land of Israel. It seems best to understand it of any land or country in later times, or present ones, where there is a good polity, good and wholesome laws are enacted, vice is corrected and punished, and virtue encouraged, and where also the Gospel is preached, and the ordinances of it administered; and yet, notwithstanding all laws, instructions, precepts, and precedents, such men will go on to live unrighteous and ungodly lives and conversations: and will not behold the majesty of the Lord;
visible in the government of the world; in the dispensations of his providence, in protecting and defending his own people, and in punishing of the wicked; in the Gospel, and in the success of it: in the effusion of the Spirit; and in the setting up of the kingdom of Christ in greater glory in the latter day.

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FOOTNOTES:

F24 T. Bab. Megilla, fol. 6. 1. & Gloss. in ib.

Isaiah 26:10 In-Context

8 Yea, in the way of thy judgments, O LORD, we wait for thee; the desire of our soul is to thy name and to the remembrance of thee.

9 With my soul I desire thee in the night; yea, even as long as the spirit is within me I will seek thee early: for as long as thy judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world learn righteousness.

10 Let favour be showed to the wicked, yet will he not learn righteousness: in the land of uprightness he will deal unjustly and will not behold the majesty of the LORD.

11 LORD, when thy hand is withdrawn, they will not see: but they shall see in the end and be ashamed with the zeal of the people. And fire shall consume thine enemies.

12 LORD, thou wilt ordain peace for us: for thou also hast wrought in us all our works.