Isaiah 58:1-14
2. DID RIGHTEOUSNESS] i.e. kept the law. They are ready enough for the external requirements of religion.... [ Continue Reading ]
2. DID RIGHTEOUSNESS] i.e. kept the law. They are ready enough for the external requirements of religion.... [ Continue Reading ]
The questions express surprise that the fast is without effect. FIND PLEASURE, etc.] render, 'carry on business and oppress all your labourers.' With all their professions of self-denial they are selfish.... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR STRIFE] i.e. strife is the result of this formal fasting. YE SHALL NOT, etc.] RV 'ye fast not this day so as to make your voice,' etc. 5-7. Literal fasting is not here excluded, but the prophet declares its uselessness when divorced from the spirit of love. Our Lord in the Sermon on the Mount c... [ Continue Reading ]
THE HEAVY BURDENS] RV 'the bands of the yoke.'... [ Continue Reading ]
HEALTH] RV 'healing.' THY RIGHTEOUSNESS] i.e. thy inward personal righteousness: cp. Isaiah 1:27 or, perhaps, 'thy justification in the eyes of the world': cp. Isaiah 54:17; SHALL BE THY REREWARD] i.e. shall protect thee. The allusion is to the exodus, when the visible manifestation of Jehovah's pre... [ Continue Reading ]
YOKE] i.e. of enforced or oppressive labour. PUTTING.. FINGER] i.e. in scorn. VANITY] RV 'wickedly.'... [ Continue Reading ]
DRAW OUT, etc.] i.e. supply to the hungry such things as thou thyself desirest. 11. Fat] RV 'strong.'... [ Continue Reading ]
Primarily the prophet contemplates the restoration of the ruined buildings of Jerusalem, but the wider spiritual application of his words is obvious. The faithful soul is not only itself fruitful (Isaiah 58:11), but a means of bringing help and blessing to others.... [ Continue Reading ]
TURN AWAY THY FOOT FROM THE SABBATH] so as not to profane it.... [ Continue Reading ]
CAUSE THEE, etc.] i.e. give thee triumphant possession of the land.... [ Continue Reading ]