Isaiah 57:15 For thus says the One who is high and lifted up, who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: “I dwell in the high and holy place, and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly, and to revive the heart of the contrite.
The Yamim Nora’im, the Days of Awe, are designed to awaken us to the greatness of God and the frailty of man. Isaiah’s words capture this tension perfectly: the Holy One is enthroned in eternity, far above all creation — and yet, He chooses to dwell with the humble and contrite. This is the mystery of repentance: the God who is infinitely high draws near to the one who bends low.
In these days of reflection, Israel is called to brokenness of heart, for pride cannot stand in the presence of the King of glory. True repentance flows from inward surrender — a heart broken under the weight of sin yet lifted by the hope of God’s mercy. As Psalm 51:17 declares, “A broken and contrite heart, O God, You will not despise.”
Yeshua (Jesus) gave voice to this same truth when He declared, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:3). To be poor in spirit is to recognize our utter need for God’s mercy, to strip away all self-righteousness, and to depend wholly on His grace. In Yeshua, the High and Holy One literally came down to dwell among the lowly, bringing life, restoration, and revival to those who humble themselves before Him.
During the Days of Awe, this verse confronts us with a holy choice: will we exalt ourselves and remain distant from His presence, or will we bow low and find Him near? The King of eternity is not looking for the self-sufficient but for the brokenhearted. Every proud wall must fall, every false strength surrendered, for it is only in humility that the Bride is made ready. Let these days be marked by contrition, not complacency — for the Holy One has promised to revive the spirit of the lowly, and to breathe new life into those who bow before Him.