Isaiah 5:19

That say, Let him make speede, and hasten his worke, that we may see it: and let the counsell of the holy one of Israel draw nigh and come, that wee may know it. Isaiah 5:19 (KJV)

“Woe unto them that say, Let the Holy One of Israel do good, that we may see it; and let the counsel of the Holy One draw near, that we may know it!”

Isaiah 5:19 is part of the larger passage known as the “Woes of the Wicked” (Isaiah 5:8‑30). In this section the prophet Isaiah delivers a stark warning and pronouncement of judgment against Israel for its unrighteousness and disobedience.

In verse 19 the people are portrayed as mocking and challenging God. They sarcastically demand, “Let him make speed, and hasten his work, that we may see it,” daring God to act quickly and demonstrate His power and judgment as if they doubt His ability or existence. They also call for “the counsel of the Holy One of Israel [to] draw nigh and come, that we may know it,” demanding immediate proof of His presence and plans.

This attitude reveals arrogance, rebellion, and a lack of faith. Rather than approaching God with humility, they taunt Him, demanding evidence and proof, exalting their own wisdom while losing sight of God’s sovereignty.

Understanding the context is essential. The surrounding verses pronounce judgment on Israel for wickedness, urging the nation to turn back to God. The people’s mockery and impatient challenge are met later in the chapter with declarations of impending judgment and destruction. The passage calls believers to recognize the danger of demanding signs without sincere repentance, reminding us that true knowledge of God comes through humble obedience, not through demanding proof of His power.

Thus, Isaiah 5:19 serves both as a rebuke of a skeptical, impatient heart and as a warning that God’s counsel will be fulfilled in His timing, not at the command of those who seek to test Him.