“Whom did you dread?
Whom did you fear?
Thus you lied.
You did not remember me.
You did not give me a thought.
Have I not kept silent?
Have I not closed by eyes?
Thus you do not fear me.
I will concede your righteousness.
I will concede your works.
But they will not help you.
When you cry out,
Let your collection of idols
Deliver you!
The wind will carry them off.
A breath will take them away.
Whoever takes refuge in me
Shall possess the land.
They shall inherit
My holy mountain.”
Third Isaiah warns in the first person singular what Yahweh has done with these idolaters. They no longer dreaded or feared Yahweh. They had lied to him. They did not remember or give him any thought. Yahweh had been silent and closed his eyes, so that they no longer feared him. Even though they might have been righteous and done some good things, these actions would no longer help them. If they had a problem, let them call their collection of idols to help them. The wind will carry away their useless idols. On the other hand, anyone who takes refuge in Yahweh will possess the land. They will inherit his holy mountain.
Eugene Finnegan Bible Project 