12 When you come to appear before me, who has asked this of you, this trampling of my courts?
12 "When you come to appear before me, who has required of you this trampling of my courts?
12 When you come before me, who ever gave you the idea of acting like this, Running here and there, doing this and that - all this sheer commotion in the place provided for worship?
12 "When you come to appear before Me, Who has required this from your hand, To trample My courts?
12 When you come to worship me, who asked you to parade through my courts with all your ceremony?
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Isaiah 1:12
Commentary on Isaiah 1:10-15
(Read Isaiah 1:10-15)
Judea was desolate, and their cities burned. This awakened them to bring sacrifices and offerings, as if they would bribe God to remove the punishment, and give them leave to go on in their sin. Many who will readily part with their sacrifices, will not be persuaded to part with their sins. They relied on the mere form as a service deserving a reward. The most costly devotions of wicked people, without thorough reformation of heart and life, cannot be acceptable to God. He not only did not accept them, but he abhorred them. All this shows that sin is very hateful to God. If we allow ourselves in secret sin, or forbidden indulgences; if we reject the salvation of Christ, our very prayers will become abomination.