25 I will turn my hand against you;
25 I will turn my hand against you and will smelt away your dross as with lye and remove all your alloy.
25 I'll give you the back of my hand, purge the junk from your life, clean you up.
25 I will turn My hand against you, And thoroughly purge away your dross, And take away all your alloy.
25 I will raise my fist against you. I will melt you down and skim off your slag. I will remove all your impurities.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Isaiah 1:25
Commentary on Isaiah 1:21-31
(Read Isaiah 1:21-31)
Neither holy cities nor royal ones are faithful to their trust, if religion does not dwell in them. Dross may shine like silver, and the wine that is mixed with water may still have the colour of wine. Those have a great deal to answer for, who do not help the oppressed, but oppress them. Men may do much by outward restraints; but only God works effectually by the influences of his Spirit, as a Spirit of Judgment. Sin is the worst captivity, the worst slavery. The redemption of the spiritual Zion, by the righteousness and death of Christ, and by his powerful grace, most fully accord with what is here meant. Utter ruin is threatened. The Jews should become as a tree when blasted by heat; as a garden without water, which in those hot countries would soon be burned up. Thus shall they be that trust in idols, or in an arm of flesh. Even the strong man shall be as tow; not only soon broken, and pulled to pieces, but easily catching fire. When the sinner has made himself as tow and stubble, and God makes himself as a consuming fire, what can prevent the utter ruin of the sinner?