What does it mean that “all we like sheep have gone astray” (Isaiah 53:6)?

Answer

In the midst of one of the most beautiful and hope-inspiring Messianic passages is the universally condemning statement that “all we like sheep have gone astray” «All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. », (Isaiah 53:6, ESV). Like sheep, we have all turned to our own path rather than faithfully following our Shepherd. Because of that great deficiency, we have a need for a Savior, and in God’s grace, Christ pays the penalty for our sin—“The Lord has caused the iniquity of us all / To fall on Him” «All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. », (Isaiah 53:6, NASB 1995).

In theological terms, the concept that “all we like sheep have gone astray” is sometimes referred to as original sin. Isaiah explains that “all of us have become like one who is unclean, / And all our righteous deeds are like a filthy garment” «But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away. », (Isaiah 64:6, NASB). None are exempt from the universal curse of guilt. As Paul reiterates, “There is none righteous, not even one” «as it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: », (Romans 3:10, BLB) and “There is no one who does what is good, not even one” «They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; There is none that doeth good, no, not one. », (Romans 3:12, CSB). All are guilty, and all are without excuse “For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:”, (Romans 1:20).

Even though Adam and Eve were created in the likeness and image of God (Genesis 1:26-27, 5:1-2), when they had children, those children were also in the likeness and image of Adam “And Adam lived an hundred and thirty years, and begat a son in his own likeness, after his image; and called his name Seth:”, (Genesis 5:3), and they carried the stain and curse of Adam’s sin. Sin and death entered the world through Adam and spread to all “Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:”, (Romans 5:12), and because of his sin all of humanity is dead in sin “But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many.”, (Romans 5:15). Not only are we all positionally dead in sin (Ephesians 2:1-3), but also “all we like sheep have gone astray.” We have all actively gone the wrong way. We have all sinned and fallen short of God’s glory “for all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;”, (Romans 3:23).

(Romans 3:23).

But because of His love for His world “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”, (John 3:16), while we were all still dead in sin (Ephesians 2:4-5), Christ died on our behalf “For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;”, (1 Corinthians 15:3) to pay the penalty and endure the judgment for our sin so that we would not have to. We can receive that gift of His grace by faith (belief, or trust) in Him (Ephesians 2:8-9), and when we believe we are “born again” (John 3:5-7)—we are made alive “even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)”, (Ephesians 2:5), we are made new creatures in Christ “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”, (2 Corinthians 5:17), and we created as new people for good works that He prepared for us “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.”, (Ephesians 2:10). While “all we like sheep have gone astray,” we don’t have to continue on thAt the path of walking in deadness, sin, and shame, God has provided a new path for us: “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” (2 Corinthians 5:17), and He has given us the tools and the strength to walk in newness of life: “Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.” (Romans 6:4).

All we like sheep have gone astray, yet we have been forgiven so much. For this cause, we should rejoice in God’s grace, thankful for His provision of forgiveness and righteousness (Colossians 3:15-17). Like a good shepherd, our Savior has loved us and given Himself for us so that we might live: “I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.” (John 10:11). Now that we have new life, we can recognize that our lives are not our own: “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.” (Galatians 2:20), but we now belong to Him— we are now in Him and have every spiritual blessing in the heavenlies in Christ: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ.” (Ephesians 1:3).