Isaiah 58

Isaiah 58:1-14 . REPROOF OF THE JEWS FOR THEIR DEPENDENCE ON MERE OUTWARD FORMS OF WORSHIP.

1. aloud--Hebrew, "with the throat," that is, with full voice, not merely from the lips ( 1 Samuel 1:13 ). Speak loud enough to arrest attention.
my people--the Jews in Isaiah's time, and again in the time of our Lord, more zealous for externals than for inward holiness. ROSENMULLER thinks the reference to be to the Jews in the captivity practising their rites to gain God's favor and a release; and that hence, sacrifices are not mentioned, but only fasting and Sabbath observance, which they could keep though far away from the temple in Jerusalem. The same also applies to their present dispersion, in which they cannot offer sacrifices, but can only show their zeal in fastings, &c. Compare as to our Lord's time, Matthew 6:16 Matthew 6:23 , Luke 18:12 .

2. Put the stop at "ways"; and connect "as a nation that," &c. with what follows; "As a nation that did righteousness," thus answers to, "they ask of Me just judgments" (that is, as a matter of justice due to them, salvation to themselves, and destruction to their enemies); and "forsook not the ordinance of their God," answers to "they desire the drawing near of God" (that God would draw near to exercise those "just judgments" in behalf of them, and against their enemies) [MAURER]. So JEROME, "In the confidence, as it were, of a good conscience, they demand a just judgment, in the language of the saints: Judge me, O Lord, for I have walked in mine integrity." So in Malachi 2:17 , they affect to be scandalized at the impunity of the wicked, and impugn God's justice [HORSLEY]. Thus, "seek Me daily, and desire (English Version not so well, 'delight') to know My ways," refers to their requiring to know why God delayed so long in helping them. English Version gives a good, though different sense; namely, dispelling the delusion that God would be satisfied with outward observances, while the spirit of the law, was violated and the heart unchanged ( Isaiah 58:3-14 Ezekiel 33:31 Ezekiel 33:32 ; compare John 18:28 ), scrupulosity side by side with murder. The prophets were the commentators on the law, as their Magna Charta, in its inward spirit and not the mere letter.

3. Wherefore--the words of the Jews: "Why is it that, when we fast, Thou dost not notice it" (by delivering us)? They think to lay God under obligation to their fasting ( Psalms 73:13 , Malachi 3:14 ).
afflicted . . . soul--( Leviticus 16:29 ).
Behold--God's reply.
pleasure--in antithesis to their boast of having "afflicted their soul"; it was only in outward show they really enjoyed themselves. GESENIUS not so well translates, "business."
exact . . . labours--rather, "oppressive labors" [MAURER]. HORSLEY, with Vulgate, translates, "Exact the whole upon your debtors"; those who owe you labor ( Nehemiah 5:1-5 Nehemiah 5:8-10 , &c.).

4. ye shall not fast--rather, "ye do not fast at this time, so as to make your voice to be heard on high," .that is, in heaven; your aim in fasting is strife, not to gain the ear of God [MAURER] ( 1 Kings 21:9 1 Kings 21:12 1 Kings 21:13 ). In English Version the sense is, If you wish acceptance with God, ye must not fast as ye now do, to make your voice heard high in strife.

5. for a man to afflict his soul--The pain felt by abstinence is not the end to be sought, as if it were meritorious; it is of value only in so far as it leads us to amend our ways ( Isaiah 58:6 Isaiah 58:7 ).
bow . . . head . . . sackcloth--to affect the outward tokens, so as to "appear to men to fast" ( Matthew 6:17 Matthew 6:18 , 1 Kings 21:27 , Esther 4:3 ).