Verse-by-Verse Exposition of Isaiah Chapter 58
Isaiah 58 opens with a divine command to the prophet: "Crye aloude, spare not: lift vp thy voyce like a trumpet, and shewe my people their transgression, and to the house of Iaakob, their sinnes" [5]. This instruction emphasizes the urgency and clarity with which the message of condemnation is to be delivered, ensuring that "all may hear" [9]. The prophet is tasked with exposing the "apostasy" of God's people [10].
The chapter then addresses the hypocrisy of those who engage in religious activities but lack genuine righteousness. These individuals are described as being "pleased with themselves because of their religious activities" [11]. They seek God daily and delight in knowing His ways, asking for righteous judgments and desiring God's nearness, yet their actions contradict their outward piety (Isaiah 58:2).
The core of the chapter contrasts their superficial fasting with the true fast that God desires. The people question why God does not notice their fasting and affliction (Isaiah 58:3). God responds by detailing their self-serving fasts, which involve strife, contention, and striking with a wicked fist (Isaiah 58:4). Such fasting is deemed unacceptable for making their voice heard on high (Isaiah 58:4).
Instead, God outlines the true fast: loosening the bonds of wickedness, undoing the straps of the yoke, letting the oppressed go free, and breaking every yoke (Isaiah 58:6). It also involves sharing food with the hungry, bringing the homeless poor into one's house, clothing the naked, and not hiding from one's "kinsman" or "thy house" [7, 8] (Isaiah 58:7).
If these true acts of righteousness are performed, then light will break forth "as the morning, gradually increasing" [6] (Isaiah 58:8). Their healing will quickly appear, and their righteousness will go before them, with the glory of the Lord being their rear guard (Isaiah 58:8). When they call, the Lord will answer (Isaiah 58:9). If they remove the yoke, the pointing of the finger, and speaking wickedness, and pour out their soul to the hungry, satisfying the afflicted soul, then their light will rise in darkness (Isaiah 58:9-10).
The Lord promises to guide them continually, satisfy their soul in drought, and strengthen their bones. They will be like a watered garden, like a spring of water whose waters do not fail (Isaiah 58:11). This imagery of abundant provision and guidance is echoed in other biblical texts, such as Psalm 32:8, Psalm 36:8, Psalm 48:14, and Jeremiah 17:8 [1, 3, 4, 2]. They will rebuild ancient ruins and be called repairers of the breach and restorers of streets to dwell in (Isaiah 58:12). The chapter concludes with promises of delight in the Lord and riding on the high places of the earth if they honor the Sabbath (Isaiah 58:13-14).
Sources
- OpenBible.info “Cross-reference: Isa.58.11 → Ps.32.8 (confidence: 30 votes)”
- OpenBible.info “Cross-reference: Jer.17.8 → Isa.58.11 (confidence: 38 votes)”
- OpenBible.info “Cross-reference: Ps.36.8 → Isa.58.11 (confidence: 32 votes)”
- OpenBible.info “Cross-reference: Isa.58.11 → Ps.48.14 (confidence: 14 votes)”
- Isaiah “Isaiah 58:1 (Geneva1599) — Crye aloude, spare not: lift vp thy voyce like a trumpet, and shewe my people their transgression, and to the house of Iaakob, their sinnes.”
- Sefaria (Jewish (Rationalist)) “Abraham Ibn Ezra on Isaiah 58:8: Then shall thy light break forth as the morning , gradually increasing.”
- Sefaria (Jewish (Rationalist)) “Abraham Ibn Ezra on Isaiah 58:7: To the house . To thy house.”
- Sefaria (Jewish (Rabbinic)) “Rashi (Rabbi Shlomo Yitzchaki) on Isaiah 58:7: and from your flesh And from your kinsman.”
- Sefaria (Jewish (Rationalist)) “Abraham Ibn Ezra on Isaiah 58:1: Like a trumpet , etc. That all may hear.”
- Isaiah (Lutheran) “Keil & Delitzsch on Isaiah 58 (introduction): As the last prophecy of the second book contained all the three elements of prophetic addresses - reproach, threat, and promise - so this, the first prophecy of the third book, cannot open in any other way than with a rehearsal of one of these. The prophet receives the commission to appear as the preacher of condemnation; and whilst Jehovah is giving the reason for this commission, the preaching itself commences. "Cry with full throat, hold not back; lift up thy voice like a bugle, and proclaim to my people their apostasy, and to the house of Jacob”
- Isaiah (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Isaiah 58:1: 58:1-4 This is a charge against religious Israelites who were pleased with themselves because of their religious activities.”