Isaiah
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Isaiah 1
Isaiah 1
Commentary · verses 1-31
1The vision of Isaiah the son of Amoz, which he saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem, in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah.
1The vision of Isaiah the son of Amoz, which he saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah.
Commentary · verse 1
The first verse gave the purpose of this book: to present the vision Isaiah saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem. This book was concerned with events before the exile.
2Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth; for Jehovah hath spoken: I have nourished and brought up children, and they have rebelled against me.
2Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth: for the LORD hath spoken, I have nourished and brought up children, and they have rebelled against me.
Commentary · verse 2
Notice, this was how the "Song of Moses" began in Deuteronomy 32:1. God's children had rebelled against Him even though He had nourished them and brought them up. God was Israel's Husbandman (John 15:1). The main job of a husbandman was to "nourish and cherish" the "land" - See Ephesians 5:29.
3The ox knoweth his owner, and the ass his master’s crib; but Israel doth not know, my people doth not consider.
3The ox knoweth his owner, and the ass his master’s crib: but Israel doth not know, my people doth not consider.
Commentary · verse 3
Isaiah said that Israel did not know God and they were not attempting to. Notice, Jesus was lain in a manger, a place for an ox and ass to eat (Luke 2:7). Even though animals knew the manger was a place to eat, Israel did not know that they ought to eat of the word.
4Ah sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, a seed of evil-doers, children that deal corruptly! they have forsaken Jehovah, they have despised the Holy One of Israel, they are estranged and gone backward.
4Ah sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, a seed of evildoers, children that are corrupters: they have forsaken the LORD, they have provoked the Holy One of Israel unto anger, they are gone away backward.
Commentary · verse 4
Israel had forsaken and despised God.
5Why will ye be still stricken, that ye revolt more and more? the whole head is sick, and the whole heart faint.
6From the sole of the foot even unto the head there is no soundness in it; but wounds, and bruises, and fresh stripes: they have not been closed, neither bound up, neither mollified with oil.
7Your country is desolate; your cities are burned with fire; your land, strangers devour it in your presence, and it is desolate, as overthrown by strangers.
5Why should ye be stricken any more? ye will revolt more and more: the whole head is sick, and the whole heart faint.
6From the sole of the foot even unto the head there is no soundness in it; but wounds, and bruises, and putrifying sores: they have not been closed, neither bound up, neither mollified with ointment.
7Your country is desolate, your cities are burned with fire: your land, strangers devour it in your presence, and it is desolate, as overthrown by strangers.
Commentary · verses 5-7
The land the Israelites lived in was destroyed. This ought to have caused them to consider if their own actions reaped judgment on them.
8And the daughter of Zion is left as a booth in a vineyard, as a lodge in a garden of cucumbers, as a besieged city.
9Except Jehovah of hosts had left unto us a very small remnant, we should have been as Sodom, we should have been like unto Gomorrah.
8And the daughter of Zion is left as a cottage in a vineyard, as a lodge in a garden of cucumbers, as a besieged city.
9Except the LORD of hosts had left unto us a very small remnant, we should have been as Sodom, and we should have been like unto Gomorrah.
Commentary · verses 8-9
Paul referenced this verse in Romans 9:29. The very few Israelites left in Israel were the only thing that prevented them from ending up as Sodom and Gomorrah. The causes of the judgment on Sodom and Gomorrah were:
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pride,
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fullness of bread,
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idleness of time,
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not strengthening the poor/needy (Ezekiel 16:49).
Did Israel do these same causes?
10Hear the word of Jehovah, ye rulers of Sodom; give ear unto the law of our God, ye people of Gomorrah.
11What unto me is the multitude of your sacrifices? saith Jehovah: I have had enough of the burnt-offerings of rams, and the fat of fed beasts; and I delight not in the blood of bullocks, or of lambs, or of he-goats.
10Hear the word of the LORD, ye rulers of Sodom; give ear unto the law of our God, ye people of Gomorrah.
11To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices unto me? saith the LORD: I am full of the burnt offerings of rams, and the fat of fed beasts; and I delight not in the blood of bullocks, or of lambs, or of he goats.
Commentary · verses 10-11
God wanted to know what were the purposes (WHY) of the Israelites' sacrifices. God asked a question. God often spoke through using questions.
12When ye come to appear before me, who hath required this at your hand, to trample my courts?
13Bring no more vain oblations; incense is an abomination unto me; new moon and sabbath, the calling of assemblies,—I cannot away with iniquity and the solemn meeting.
12When ye come to appear before me, who hath required this at your hand, to tread my courts?
13Bring no more vain oblations; incense is an abomination unto me; the new moons and sabbaths, the calling of assemblies, I cannot away with; it is iniquity, even the solemn meeting.
Commentary · verses 12-13
God called their offerings vain: unprofitable.
14Your new moons and your appointed feasts my soul hateth; they are a trouble unto me; I am weary of bearing them.
14Your new moons and your appointed feasts my soul hateth: they are a trouble unto me; I am weary to bear them.
Commentary · verse 14
The traditions the Israelites were establishing, man-made tradition, were hated by God's Soul. God's "Soul" was His Nature, His Identity. This meant God saw their man-made traditions as an opposition to Right and Just.
15And when ye spread forth your hands, I will hide mine eyes from you; yea, when ye make many prayers, I will not hear: your hands are full of blood.
15And when ye spread forth your hands, I will hide mine eyes from you: yea, when ye make many prayers, I will not hear: your hands are full of blood.
16Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil; 17learn to do well; seek justice, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow.
16Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil;
17Learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow.
Commentary · verses 16-17
God told the Israelites to stop doing evil. However, God also gave them things to DO. God will always point you towards something.
18Come now, and let us reason together, saith Jehovah: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.
18Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.
Commentary · verse 18
God wanted to "reason" with the Israelites. He wanted to help them think contrastively. If you are willing and obedient, your sins which are scarlet will be white as snow, they will be washed away.
19If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land:
19If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land:
Commentary · verse 19
Being willing and obedient were causes. An effect of these causes was eating the good of the land. God was giving them the opportunity to pursue growth with an achieve gain mentality.
20but if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword; for the mouth of Jehovah hath spoken it.
20But if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.
Commentary · verse 20
Then God gave them the fear of loss mentality. If they refused and rebelled (opposites of willing and obedient) they would be devoured.
21How is the faithful city become a harlot! she that was full of justice! righteousness lodged in her, but now murderers.
21How is the faithful city become an harlot! it was full of judgment; righteousness lodged in it; but now murderers.
Commentary · verse 21
Again, God presented an example of something in opposition to Right and Just. Unfortunately it was the very "city" He had established for the Israelites.
Doctrines on this passage
22Thy silver is become dross, thy wine mixed with water.
23Thy princes are rebellious, and companions of thieves; every one loveth bribes, and followeth after rewards: they judge not the fatherless, neither doth the cause of the widow come unto them.
24Therefore saith the Lord, Jehovah of hosts, the Mighty One of Israel, Ah, I will ease me of mine adversaries, and avenge me of mine enemies; 25and I will turn my hand upon thee, and thoroughly purge away thy dross, and will take away all thy tin;
22Thy silver is become dross, thy wine mixed with water:
23Thy princes are rebellious, and companions of thieves: every one loveth gifts, and followeth after rewards: they judge not the fatherless, neither doth the cause of the widow come unto them.
24Therefore saith the Lord, the LORD of hosts, the mighty One of Israel, Ah, I will ease me of mine adversaries, and avenge me of mine enemies:
25And I will turn my hand upon thee, and purely purge away thy dross, and take away all thy tin:
Commentary · verses 22-25
God would purge (refine) His people, this would result in growth.
26and I will restore thy judges as at the first, and thy counsellors as at the beginning: afterward thou shalt be called The city of righteousness, a faithful town.
27Zion shall be redeemed with justice, and her converts with righteousness.
26And I will restore thy judges as at the first, and thy counsellors as at the beginning: afterward thou shalt be called, The city of righteousness, the faithful city.
27Zion shall be redeemed with judgment, and her converts with righteousness.
Commentary · verses 26-27
Opposing Righteousness and Justice were the causes of the people's wickedness. Embracing Righteousness and Justice would be their cause for redemption.
Doctrines on this passage
28But the destruction of transgressors and sinners shall be together, and they that forsake Jehovah shall be consumed.
29For they shall be ashamed of the oaks which ye have desired, and ye shall be confounded for the gardens that ye have chosen.
30For ye shall be as an oak whose leaf fadeth, and as a garden that hath no water.
31And the strong shall be as tow, and his work as a spark; and they shall both burn together, and none shall quench them.
28And the destruction of the transgressors and of the sinners shall be together, and they that forsake the LORD shall be consumed.
29For they shall be ashamed of the oaks which ye have desired, and ye shall be confounded for the gardens that ye have chosen.
30For ye shall be as an oak whose leaf fadeth, and as a garden that hath no water.
31And the strong shall be as tow, and the maker of it as a spark, and they shall both burn together, and none shall quench them.
Commentary · verses 28-31
The destruction of "transgressors" and "sinners" would not be stopped, not without repentance.
Part I - Looking Toward the Captivities