Isaiah 58

Isaiah 58:2

THey seek me] they make a shew and profession of calling upon me, and of seeking to obtaine my favour by sacrifices and ceremonies, but all this is without any internall pietie.They aske of me] namely, by my priests, who did both publikely and privately explaine to such as asked them what was Gods right according to the Law in all things, Deut. 17. 8. 11. Malachi 2:7.

Isaiah 58:3

You finde pleasure] that is to say, God hath commanded that the yeerly fast, of which the Prophet speaketh in this place, should be performed with an inward kinde of affliction and mortification of the soule, and abstinence from all carnall pleasures, Levit. 16. 29. but contrariwise, ye doe finde a vicious kinde of delight in it, namely, in exacting your debts, ver. 3. he seems to have relation to that the yeerely fast was appointed to be the first moneth of the politicke yeere; in which moneth also for the most part was the time of freeing one from debt and bondage.

Isaiah 58:4

For strife] employing the solemne day therein; which was appointed for you to employ your selves in repenting of your sins, and you contrariwise doe increase them And to smite]he seems to have a relation to the masters cruelty towards their servants, who had sold themselves, untill the yeere of remission, Exodus 21:2. Levit. 25. 39, 50. From whence there did often arise contentions and strises.

Isaiah 58:5

To spread] according to the manner of penitent and afflicted persons, East. 4. 3. Job 2:8. Jeremiah 6:26. Di. 9. 3.

Isaiah 58:6

To oose] that calling to God for mercy; in this ceremony of fasting, you doe likewise use mercie towards your neighbours, concealing all unjust bonds, and releasing the rigor of just debts and bondages.

Isaiah 58:7

That thou hide not] that thou doe not draw backe from helping thy brother, who is a man of the same kind as thou art, see Nehemiah 5:5.

Isaiah 58:8

Then shall] thy prosperity shal revive; by the returne of Gods grace, even as the Sunnes returne causeth the day to breake Thine health] Hb. thy physicke, that is to say, thou shalget new vigour. Like Plants when the spring is come Thy righteousnesse] namely, the reward of thy good and righteous life.

Isaiah 58:9

The yoake] namely, the inhumane slavery of thy brethren The putting forth] a signe of an absolute and rigorous command, and of threatning.

Isaiah 58:10

If thou draw out] the Italian, Open thy soule; as a treasure, and store, of hearty liberality Thy light] that is to say, in the middest of the greatest calamities I will cause thee to feele my grace in joy and comfort, and will change thy wretched state into a most perfectly happie one.

Isaiah 58:12

And they that] that is to say, thy posterity shal re-ediie my Temple and the City of Jerusalem, after they have layen waste all the time of your Captivity To dwell in] to cause the Country to be inhabited a new.

Isaiah 58:13

If thou tune away] that is to say, if thou truely keepe holy the Sabbath, by abstaining from such workes as in their owne nature are evil; and fettest all thy delight in mine honour and service Or speaking thine owne words] without replying or contending, in a voluntary, ready, and absolute obedience.

Isaiah 58:14

Shalt thou] then wil I ill thine heart with joy in my grace, and wil bring thee backe gloriously into thy Countrie overcomming all difficulties and lets, and there thou shalt enjoy my blessings.