Isaiah 58:6-10

6 "Is this not the fast which I choose, To 1loosen the bonds of wickedness, To undo the bands of the yoke, And to 2let the oppressed go free And 3break every yoke?
7 "Is it not to 4divide your bread with the hungry And 5bring the homeless poor into the house; When you see the 6naked, to cover him; And not to 7hide yourself from your own flesh?
8 "Then your 8light will break out like the dawn, And your 9recovery will speedily spring forth; And your 10righteousness will go before you; The glory of the 11LORD will be your rear guard.
9 "Then you will 12call, and the LORD will answer; You will cry, and He will say, 'Here I am.' If you 13remove the yoke from your midst, The 14pointing of the finger and 15speaking wickedness,
10 And if you 16give yourself to the hungry And satisfy the desire of the afflicted, Then your 17light will rise in darkness And your gloom will become like midday.

Isaiah 58:6-10 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO ISAIAH 58

From the wicked and antichristian party the prophet is bid to turn to the professors of the true religion, and openly, boldly, and sharply, reprove them for their sins, particularly their hypocrisy and formality in worship, Isa 58:1,2, who yet were angry, and complained that the Lord took no notice of their religious services, particularly their fasting, which is put for the whole; the reason of which was, because they did not fast aright; it was attended with much cruelty, strife, and wickedness, and only lay in external appearances, Isa 58:3-5, when they are directed how to keep a fast, and are shown what a true fast is, and what works and services are acceptable to God, Isa 58:6,7 on doing of which, light, health, prosperity, and hearing of their prayers, are promised, provided the yoke of oppression is taken away, and compassion shown to the poor, Isa 58:8-10, yea, a very fruitful and flourishing estate of the soul is promised, and a rebuilding of waste places, delight in the Lord, and great honour and dignity; so be it that the sabbath of the Lord, or public worship, is attended to in a proper manner, Isa 58:11-14.

Cross References 17

  • 1. Nehemiah 5:10-12; Jeremiah 34:8
  • 2. Isaiah 1:17
  • 3. Isaiah 58:9
  • 4. Job 31:19, 20; Isaiah 58:10; Ezekiel 18:7, 16
  • 5. Isaiah 16:3, 4; Hebrews 13:2
  • 6. Matthew 25:35, 36; Luke 3:11
  • 7. Deuteronomy 22:1-4; Luke 10:31, 32
  • 8. Isaiah 58:10
  • 9. Isaiah 30:26; Isaiah 33:24; Jeremiah 30:17; Jeremiah 33:6
  • 10. Psalms 85:13; Isaiah 62:1
  • 11. Exodus 14:19; Isaiah 52:12
  • 12. Psalms 50:15; Isaiah 55:6; Isaiah 65:24
  • 13. Isaiah 58:6
  • 14. Proverbs 6:13
  • 15. Psalms 12:2; Isaiah 59:13
  • 16. Deuteronomy 15:7; Isaiah 58:7
  • 17. Job 11:17; Psalms 37:6; Isaiah 42:16; Isaiah 58:8

Footnotes 4

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