Isaiah 48:18
O that thou hadst hearkened to my commandments! then had thy peace been as a river, and thy righteousness as the waves of the sea:
Original Language Analysis
ל֥וּא
O that
H3863
ל֥וּא
O that
Strong's:
H3863
Word #:
1 of 9
a conditional particle; if; by implication (interj. as a wish) would that!
הִקְשַׁ֖בְתָּ
thou hadst hearkened
H7181
הִקְשַׁ֖בְתָּ
thou hadst hearkened
Strong's:
H7181
Word #:
2 of 9
to prick up the ears, i.e., hearken
לְמִצְוֹתָ֑י
to my commandments
H4687
לְמִצְוֹתָ֑י
to my commandments
Strong's:
H4687
Word #:
3 of 9
a command, whether human or divine (collectively, the law)
וַיְהִ֤י
H1961
וַיְהִ֤י
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
4 of 9
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
כַנָּהָר֙
been as a river
H5104
כַנָּהָר֙
been as a river
Strong's:
H5104
Word #:
5 of 9
a stream (including the sea; expectation the nile, euphrates, etc.); figuratively, prosperity
שְׁלוֹמֶ֔ךָ
then had thy peace
H7965
שְׁלוֹמֶ֔ךָ
then had thy peace
Strong's:
H7965
Word #:
6 of 9
safe, i.e., (figuratively) well, happy, friendly; also (abstractly) welfare, i.e., health, prosperity, peace
וְצִדְקָתְךָ֖
and thy righteousness
H6666
וְצִדְקָתְךָ֖
and thy righteousness
Strong's:
H6666
Word #:
7 of 9
rightness (abstractly), subjectively (rectitude), objectively (justice), morally (virtue) or figuratively (prosperity)
Cross References
Isaiah 66:12For thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will extend peace to her like a river, and the glory of the Gentiles like a flowing stream: then shall ye suck, ye shall be borne upon her sides, and be dandled upon her knees.Deuteronomy 5:29O that there were such an heart in them, that they would fear me, and keep all my commandments always, that it might be well with them, and with their children for ever!Psalms 119:165Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them.Deuteronomy 32:29O that they were wise, that they understood this, that they would consider their latter end!Psalms 36:8They shall be abundantly satisfied with the fatness of thy house; and thou shalt make them drink of the river of thy pleasures.Isaiah 45:8Drop down, ye heavens, from above, and let the skies pour down righteousness: let the earth open, and let them bring forth salvation, and let righteousness spring up together; I the LORD have created it.Amos 5:24But let judgment run down as waters, and righteousness as a mighty stream.Matthew 23:37O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!Romans 14:17For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.
Historical Context
This explains why Israel's history included judgment rather than continuous blessing - not divine unfaithfulness but human disobedience. The 'might have been' tone shows God's sincere desire for obedient relationship (Deuteronomy 5:29).
Questions for Reflection
- What blessings have you forfeited through disobedience to God's clear commands?
- How does God's lament over lost blessing demonstrate His genuine desire for your flourishing?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The lament 'O that thou hadst hearkened to my commandments!' expresses God's genuine grief over Israel's disobedience and lost blessings. The conditional 'then had thy peace been as a river' shows that covenant blessings required responsive faith, not automatic ethnic privilege. This refutes both presumption (thinking blessings are unconditional) and despair (thinking disobedience is irremediable).