I also will choose their delusions, and will bring their fears on them; because when I called, none did answer; when I spoke, they did not hear: but they did evil before my eyes, and chose that in which I delighted not.
will choose
1 Kings 22:19-23 And he said, Hear thou therefore the word of the LORD: I saw the LORD sitting on his throne, and all the host of heaven standing by him on his right hand and on his left…
Psalm 81:12 So I gave them up unto their own hearts' lust: and they walked in their own counsels.
Proverbs 1:31,32 Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices…
delusions.
Proverbs 10:24 The fear of the wicked, it shall come upon him: but the desire of the righteous shall be granted.
when I called
Isaiah 50:2 Wherefore, when I came, was there no man? when I called, was there none to answer? Is my hand shortened at all, that it cannot redeem? or have I no power to deliver? behold, at my rebuke I dry up the sea, I make the rivers a wilderness: their fish stinketh, because there is no water, and dieth for thirst.
Isaiah 65:12 Therefore will I number you to the sword, and ye shall all bow down to the slaughter: because when I called, ye did not answer; when I spake, ye did not hear; but did evil before mine eyes, and did choose that wherein I delighted not.
Proverbs 1:24 Because I have called, and ye refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded;
they did
Isaiah 65:3 A people that provoketh me to anger continually to my face; that sacrificeth in gardens, and burneth incense upon altars of brick;
2 Kings 21:2,6 And he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD, after the abominations of the heathen, whom the LORD cast out before the children of Israel…
and I will bring terror upon them
The use of "terror" suggests a severe and fear-inducing consequence. Historically, this could refer to the invasions and exiles experienced by Israel, such as the Babylonian captivity. Theologically, it underscores the seriousness of turning away from God. This aligns with prophetic warnings found in other books, such as Jeremiah and Ezekiel, where the consequences of disobedience are vividly described.
because I called and no one answered
This phrase highlights God's initiative in reaching out to His people, emphasizing His desire for relationship and repentance. The imagery of calling and not being answered is reminiscent of the parable of the wedding banquet in Matthew 22, where invitations are ignored. It underscores the theme of divine patience and human responsibility.
I spoke and no one listened
This reflects the prophetic tradition where God's messages, delivered through prophets, were often ignored. The historical context includes numerous prophets sent to warn Israel, such as Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Hosea. The failure to listen is a recurring theme, illustrating the hardness of heart that leads to judgment.
But they did evil in My sight
The phrase "in My sight" indicates that God is fully aware of the actions of His people. The concept of doing evil in God's sight is a common biblical theme, seen in the narratives of the kings of Israel and Judah, where their actions are evaluated based on their faithfulness to God. This phrase underscores the moral and ethical standards expected by God.
and chose that in which I did not delight
This highlights the element of choice and the moral agency of the people. The idea of God not delighting in certain actions is seen in other scriptures, such as Psalm 51:16-17, where God desires a contrite heart over sacrifices. It points to the deeper issue of the heart's orientation towards God, rather than mere external compliance.
God reserves the sovereign right to determine the consequences of rebellion.
• Proverbs 1:24–26 shows the Lord laughing at disaster when His counsel is refused, echoing the same divine initiative in “choosing” the outcome.
• Romans 1:24 demonstrates how the Lord “gave them over” to their own desires—another picture of God actively prescribing judgment rather than merely permitting it.
• The phrase underscores that divine justice is never random; it is measured, intentional, and perfectly fitted to the offense.
The terror is not arbitrary; it is the very dread harbored in unrepentant hearts.
• Leviticus 26:16 warns of sudden terror as covenant discipline.
• Proverbs 10:24 notes, “What the wicked dread will overtake him,” aligning precisely with Isaiah’s wording.
• For God’s people in name only, the outcome of forsaking Him is the arrival of the fears they presumed religion would keep at bay.
Divine patience had already been extended through repeated calls.
• Isaiah 55:6 urges seekers to respond “while He may be found,” implying there comes a time when the call goes unanswered.
• Zechariah 7:13 mirrors the sequence: “As I called and they would not hear, so they called and I would not listen.”
• Matthew 22:3–6 portrays invited guests spurning the king’s summons, pointing forward to Jesus’ own generation.
God’s word had been clear; the issue was not ignorance but willful deafness.
• Jeremiah 7:13 stresses daily prophetic warnings that were ignored.
• Hebrews 12:25 cautions believers not to refuse Him who speaks from heaven, confirming the principle carries into the New Testament.
• Luke 6:46 asks, “Why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I say?”—a timeless rebuke to selective hearing.
Rebellion is defined by God’s perspective, not human rationalizations.
• Judges repeatedly states, “The Israelites did evil in the sight of the LORD” (Judges 2:11), highlighting a pattern Isaiah now confronts.
• Psalm 51:4 recognizes sin as being “against You, You only,” calibrating moral assessment by divine rather than cultural standards.
• 2 Kings 21:6 records Manasseh’s detestable practices “provoking” the Lord, illustrating how visible these actions are before Him.
The core issue is misplaced delight—preferring self-defined worship or lifestyle over what pleases God.
• 1 Samuel 15:22 asks, “Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings… as much as in obeying the voice of the LORD?” signaling that right forms without right hearts are loathsome to Him.
• Micah 6:8 simplifies divine delight: “to act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly,” something the audience had rejected.
• Hebrews 10:38 quotes, “My righteous one will live by faith… but if he shrinks back, My soul takes no pleasure in him,” reaffirming that God’s delight centers on trusting obedience.
Isaiah 66:4 paints a sobering cycle: God calls, people refuse, and the Lord responds with deliberate, fitting judgment. Each phrase underscores a relational dynamic—invitation spurned, warnings ignored, delights reversed. The passage affirms that God’s justice is active and personal, matching punishment to persistent defiance. Yet implicit in the warning is hope: if refusal triggers terror, repentance would secure favor. The Holy One still speaks; listening and aligning our choices with His delight remain the path of safety and blessing.
(4) I also will choose their delusions . . .--The Hebrew noun conveys the thought of the turnings and windings of fortune--what has been called the irony of history. These are the instruments with which God, as it were, mocks and has in derision those who mock Him by their hypocrisy. Their choice did not delight Him; what He chooses will be far other than delightful for them. (Comp. Psalm 2:4; Proverbs 1:24-26.)Verse 4. - Their delusions; or, their childish follies (LXX., ἐμπαίγματα). As God sends on some men "strong delusion that they should believe a lie" (2 Thessalonians 2:11), so on others he sends a spirit of childish folly, which makes their conduct silly and headstrong. Persons whose characters are of this stamp are especially liable to vain and groundless "fears." When I called, none did answer (comp. Isaiah 65:12, and see the comment on that passage).