God and Israel’s Hardening: Theological Reflections in Response to Isaiah 6

Abstract In Isa 6, God commissions his prophet to harden his people’s hearts and block their healing. When Isaiah asks about its duration, he gets a harsh answer, which Marvin Sweeney compares to the Shoah and qualifies as morally and theologically unacceptable. Isaiah himself also falls short because he does not stop God as Moses once did. This article reflects on the questions raised by Sweeney, also engaging the question posed in Isa 63:17 as to why God hardened Israel. By making room for this question, the book of Isaiah underscores the theological legitimacy of the lament. From a trauma perspective, this is indispensable. Equally important is the book upholding the vision of a world where righteousness dwells. According to Sweeney, however, Isa 56–66 describes the failure of God’s plans. As an alternative, he argues that people should take responsibility by working as covenant partners with God for a more just world. This is a critical appeal, but humanity is part of the problem.