CHAPTER 58. GOD'S CHALLENGE TO HIS PEOPLE. This section of Isaiah is a continual plea to Israel to turn to God from sin. If the Servant's work is to be of any avail, and if Israel are to become His Servant, then sin must be dealt with and they must themselves come to Him in faith and obedience. So... [ Continue Reading ]
GOD'S CALL TO ISAIAH AND TO EACH OF HIS SERVANTS (ISAIAH 58:1). Isaiah 58:1 “Cry aloud, spare not, Lift up your voice like a trumpet, And declare to my people their transgressions, And to the house of Jacob their sins.” God calls on Isaiah, and on each of His messengers, to act as a town-crier... [ Continue Reading ]
THE FAILING RESPONSE OF THE PEOPLE (ISAIAH 58:2 A) Isaiah 58:2 “Yet it is me they seek daily, And delight to know my ways. As a nation which did righteousness, And did not forsake the judgment of their God. They ask of me the judgments of righteousness, They delight to draw near to God. ‘Why... [ Continue Reading ]
“Behold, in the day of your fast you find pleasure, And you oppress all those who labour on your behalf, Behold you fast for strife and contention, And to smite with the fist of wickedness. You do not fast as you do this day So as to make your voice heard on high.” God replies to their claims.... [ Continue Reading ]
“Is it such a fast that I have chosen? The day for a man to afflict his person? Is it to bow down his head as a rush? And to spread sackcloth and ashes under him? Will you call this a fast? And an acceptable day to Yahweh?” Yahweh denounces the kind of fasting they were engaging in. (It bears... [ Continue Reading ]
THE CALL TO COVENANT RIGHTEOUSNESS (ISAIAH 58:6). Isaiah 58:6 “Is not this the fast that I have chosen, To loose the bonds of wickedness, To undo the bands of the yoke, And to let the oppressed go free, And that you break every yoke? Is it not to deal your bread to the hungry, And that you b... [ Continue Reading ]