ישעיהו, פרק ל״א, פסוק ו׳

The prophet issues a piercing call for the people to abandon their path of sin and return to God. This plea highlights the sharp contrast between their profound spiritual distance and the ever-present opportunity for repair. The primary approach among commentators is that this is a direct instruction to come back to God, as all the suffering that has befallen the people stems from their choice to turn away from Him.

The severity of their sin is framed as a deep rebellion [אבן עזרא, שד״ל]. Rather than making a casual mistake, the people actively and deeply plotted ways to stray from the proper path [רש״י, מצודת דוד]. They expanded their defiance until these negative traits became firmly rooted within them [שד״ל, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. Because God is supreme and above all, moving away from Him naturally means sinking into the deepest spiritual valleys and descending to the lowest possible level [מלבי״ם].

Regarding the timing of this return, commentators present two main perspectives. One approach suggests that the prophet urges the people to repent immediately, before the impending miraculous downfall of the Assyrian army. Choosing to return at this moment, driven by sincere faith in the prophet's words and complete trust in God, earns a significantly greater reward. If they wait until the miracle occurs, the act of returning will lose its unique glory, as the reality of God's power will be undeniably obvious to everyone, from the wise to the simple [רד״ק, חומת אנך]. Conversely, another perspective views this call not as an immediate command, but as a promise for the future. Once the people realize that relying on Egypt was a failure and witness God saving Jerusalem with His own strength, they will naturally be moved to return to Him [שד״ל].

While most commentators understand that this message is directed at the sinners themselves, a distinct approach suggests the prophet is specifically addressing the people of Judah. In this view, He warns them against following the destructive path of their brothers, the Israelites of the Northern Kingdom, who had already plunged into deep rebellion against God. The prophet urges Judah to return to God now, ensuring they do not repeat the tragic mistakes of their brethren [אברבנאל].