Isaiah 9:17 Therefore the Lord does not take pleasure in their young men, nor does He have pity on their orphans or their widows; for every one of them is godless and an evildoer, and every mouth is speaking foolishness. In spite of all this, His anger does not turn away and His hand is still stretched out.
The young men referenced in the verse are the best of the best. They are well-trained specialists, hand selected, and skilled. In other contexts, these young men are skilled military soldiers. Jeremiah 18:21 …their young men struck down by the sword in battle.
God has specific instructions in regards to orphans and widows. Exodus 22:22-24 “You shall not afflict any widow or orphan. If you afflict him at all, and if he does cry out to Me, I will surely hear his cry; and My anger will be kindled, and I will kill you with the sword, and your wives shall become widows and your children fatherless. Culturally, God calls on the people to take care of orphans and widows. Isaiah 1:17 Learn to do good; seek justice, reprove the ruthless, defend the orphan, plead for the widow.
In this case, God shows no compassion, tenderness, or mercy. The entire population is profane and hypocritical. The Hebrew grammar indicates the people are injuring and hurting each other. They all practice evil and wickedness, even the orphans and widows.
They talk about senselessness and folly. They discuss immorality and profane actions. They are talkers and doers of what they say. Vocabulary definitions provided per Strong’s Concordance.
The phrase “In spite of all this His anger does not turn away, and His hand is still stretched out” is noted for the second time in Isaiah 9. The second judgment has been completed. Israel still has two more remaining judgments before completion.
