Let favour be shewed to the wicked, yet will he not learn righteousness: in the land of uprightness will he deal unjustly, and will not behold the majesty of the LORD.
"Let favour be shewed to the wicked, yet will he not learn righteousness: in the land of uprightness will he deal unjustly, and will not behold the majesty of the LORD." This verse provides sobering contrast to verse 9—while some learn righteousness through God's judgments, the wicked remain unteachable even when shown favor. "Let favour be shewed to the wicked" (יֻחַן רָשָׁע/yuchan rasha)—yuchan means to be shown favor, given grace, treated mercifully. Rasha is the wicked, ungodly, morally wrong person. Even when God extends undeserved kindness, "yet will he not learn righteousness" (בַּל־לָמַד צֶדֶק/bal-lamad tzedeq)—bal is a strong negative (not, never). The wicked refuse to learn (lamad) righteousness (tzedeq) despite favorable conditions.
"In the land of uprightness will he deal unjustly" (בְּאֶרֶץ נְכֹחוֹת יְעַוֵּל/be'eretz nekhochot ye'awwel)—even when placed in eretz nekhochot (a land of uprightness, straightness, equity), the wicked ye'awwel (deals unjustly, acts perversely). The environment doesn't determine the heart. Surrounded by righteousness, the wicked still choose wickedness. "And will not behold the majesty of the LORD" (וּבַל־יִרְאֶה גֵּאוּת יְהוָה/uval-yireh ge'ut YHWH)—bal-yireh (will not see) indicates willful blindness. Ge'ut means majesty, glory, excellence, exaltation. The wicked refuse to see God's glory even when manifested. This is judicial hardening—the settled refusal to acknowledge God despite abundant evidence.
Historical Context
Isaiah witnessed this pattern repeatedly. King Ahaz refused to trust God despite miraculous signs offered (Isaiah 7:10-13). Israel experienced God's blessings during prosperous times but plunged deeper into idolatry and injustice. Pharaoh's hardened heart despite ten plagues exemplified this (Exodus 7-12). Jesus later confronted the same problem: "Though he had done so many miracles before them, yet they believed not on him" (John 12:37). Paul describes this judicial hardening in Romans 1:18-32—repeated rejection of truth leads to God giving people over to their chosen blindness. This warns that grace can be resisted to the point of no return.
Questions for Reflection
How does this verse challenge the assumption that improved circumstances or more evidence will convince unbelievers?
What is the difference between those who 'learn righteousness' from God's judgments (v.9) and the wicked who won't learn despite favor (v.10)?
In what areas might you be experiencing God's favor while still dealing unjustly or refusing to see His majesty?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
"Let favour be shewed to the wicked, yet will he not learn righteousness: in the land of uprightness will he deal unjustly, and will not behold the majesty of the LORD." This verse provides sobering contrast to verse 9—while some learn righteousness through God's judgments, the wicked remain unteachable even when shown favor. "Let favour be shewed to the wicked" (יֻחַן רָשָׁע/yuchan rasha)—yuchan means to be shown favor, given grace, treated mercifully. Rasha is the wicked, ungodly, morally wrong person. Even when God extends undeserved kindness, "yet will he not learn righteousness" (בַּל־לָמַד צֶדֶק/bal-lamad tzedeq)—bal is a strong negative (not, never). The wicked refuse to learn (lamad) righteousness (tzedeq) despite favorable conditions.
"In the land of uprightness will he deal unjustly" (בְּאֶרֶץ נְכֹחוֹת יְעַוֵּל/be'eretz nekhochot ye'awwel)—even when placed in eretz nekhochot (a land of uprightness, straightness, equity), the wicked ye'awwel (deals unjustly, acts perversely). The environment doesn't determine the heart. Surrounded by righteousness, the wicked still choose wickedness. "And will not behold the majesty of the LORD" (וּבַל־יִרְאֶה גֵּאוּת יְהוָה/uval-yireh ge'ut YHWH)—bal-yireh (will not see) indicates willful blindness. Ge'ut means majesty, glory, excellence, exaltation. The wicked refuse to see God's glory even when manifested. This is judicial hardening—the settled refusal to acknowledge God despite abundant evidence.