our father
Here the reference is to relationship through creation, rather than through faith, as in Acts 17:28 ; Acts 17:29 .
offspring of God (Greek - γένος = "race)." The reference is to the creation-work of God in which He made man (i.e. mankind, the race in Adam) in his own likeness, Genesis 1:26 ; Genesis 1:27 thus rebuking the thought that "the Godhead is like unto gold," etc. The word "Father" is not used, not does the passage affirm anything concerning fatherhood or sonship, which are relationships based on faith, and the new birth.
Cf John 1:12 ; John 1:13 ; Galatians 3:26 ; Galatians 4:1-7 ; John 5:1 .
Verse Meaning
Yet Isaiah did appeal to God for help. He appealed on the basis that Yahweh had brought Israel into existence and was, therefore, responsible for her-regardless of her condition (cf. Isaiah 63:16). She was just inert clay, but He was the Potter who had formed Israel as the work of His own hands (cf. Jeremiah 18:1-6; Romans 9:19-21). [source][source][source]
Context Summary
Isaiah 64:1-12 - A Cry For Pardon
The great past, Isaiah 64:1-5. We are introduced to the prophet's oratory and hear the outpourings of his heart. As he recalls the story of bygone days, he asks that God would do as He had done. It is as easy for God to rend the heavens as for us to tear a piece of cloth: and great mountains of difficulty dissolve before Him, as a pyramid of snow in a thaw. God works while we wait. When there is no sign of His help, He is hastening toward us. If you go out to meet Him, He will quicken His pace, and run to embrace you. These are God's ways and in them there is everlasting continuance. See Malachi 3:6.
Confession and prayer, Isaiah 64:6-12. The leper, the foul garment, the fading leaf fleeing before the autumn gusts-such emblems become us. If our righteousnesses are black, what must not our sins be! We need Him who comes not with water only, but with water and with blood. See 1 John 5:6. Perhaps our greatest sin is our prayerlessness. We do not stir ourselves up to it. God cannot refrain His mercy, if we cannot refrain our tears! [source]
Chapter Summary: Isaiah 64
1The church prays for the illustration of God's power 4Celebrating God's mercy, it makes confession of their natural corruptions 9It complains of their afflictions
What do the individual words in Isaiah 64:8 mean?
But nowYahwehour FatherYou [are]we [are]the clayand Youour potterand the workof Your handwe all [are]