11 The vision of Isaiah the son of Amoz concerning Judah and Jerusalem , which he saw during the [1]reigns of Uzziah , Jotham , Ahaz and Hezekiah , kings of Judah .
2 Listen , O heavens , and hear , O earth ; For the Lord speaks , " Sons I have reared and brought up, But they have revolted against Me. 3 "An ox knows its owner , And a donkey its master's manger , But Israel does not know , My people do not understand ." 4 Alas , sinful nation , People weighed down with iniquity , [2] Offspring of evildoers , Sons who act corruptly ! They have abandoned the Lord , They have despised the Holy One of Israel , They have turned away [3]from Him. 5 Where e will you be stricken again , As you continue in your rebellion ? The whole head is sick And the whole heart is faint . 6 From the sole of the foot even to the head There is nothing sound in it, Only bruises , welts and raw wounds , Not pressed out or bandaged , Nor softened with oil . 7 Your land is desolate , Your cities are burned with fire , Your fields -strangers are devouring them in your presence ; It is desolation , as overthrown by strangers . 8 The daughter of Zion is left like a shelter in a vineyard , Like a watchman's hut in a cucumber field , like a besieged city . 9 Unless the Lord of hosts Had left us a few survivors , We would be like Sodom , We would be like Gomorrah .
10 Hear the word of the Lord , You rulers of Sodom ; Give ear to the instruction of our God , You people of Gomorrah . 11 " What are your multiplied sacrifices to Me?" Says the Lord . "I [4]have had enough of burnt offerings of rams And the fat of fed cattle ; And I take no pleasure in the blood of bulls , lambs or goats . 12 "When you come to appear before Me, Who requires [5]of you this trampling of My courts ? 13 "Bring your worthless offerings no longer , Incense is an abomination to Me. New moon and sabbath , the calling of assemblies - I cannot e endure iniquity and the solemn assembly . 14 "I hate your new moon festivals and your appointed feasts , They have become a burden to Me; I am weary of bearing them. 15 "So when you spread out your hands in prayer, I will hide My eyes from you; Yes , even though you multiply prayers , I will not listen . Your hands are [6]covered with blood .
16 " Wash yourselves, make yourselves clean ; Remove the evil of your deeds from My sight e . Cease to do evil , 17 Learn to do good ; Seek justice , Reprove the ruthless , [7] Defend the orphan , Plead for the widow . 18 "Come now , and let us reason together," Says the Lord , " Though your sins are as scarlet , They will be as white as snow ; Though they are red like crimson , They will be like wool . 19 " If you consent and obey , You will eat the best of the land ; 20 "But if you refuse and rebel , You will be devoured by the sword ." Truly , the mouth of the Lord has spoken .
21 How the faithful city has become a harlot , She who was full of justice ! Righteousness once lodged in her, But now murderers . 22 Your silver has become dross , Your drink diluted with water . 23 Your rulers are rebels And companions of thieves ; Everyone loves a bribe And chases after rewards . They do not [8]defend the [9]orphan , Nor does the widow's plea come before them. 24 Therefore the Lord [10]GOD of hosts , The Mighty One of Israel , declares , "Ah , I will be relieved of My adversaries And avenge Myself on My foes . 25 "I will also turn My hand against you, And will smelt away your dross as with lye And will remove all your alloy . 26 "Then I will restore your judges as at the first , And your counselors as at the beginning ; After that you will be called the city of righteousness , A faithful city ." 27 Zion will be redeemed with justice And her [11]repentant ones with righteousness .
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Isaiah 1:1-27
Commentary on Isaiah 1:1-9
(Read Isaiah 1:1-9)
Isaiah signifies, "The salvation of the Lord;" a very suitable name for this prophet, who prophesies so much of Jesus the Saviour, and his salvation. God's professing people did not know or consider that they owed their lives and comforts to God's fatherly care and kindness. How many are very careless in the affairs of their souls! Not considering what we do know in religion, does us as much harm, as ignorance of what we should know. The wickedness was universal. Here is a comparison taken from a sick and diseased body. The distemper threatens to be mortal. From the sole of the foot even to the head; from the meanest peasant to the greatest peer, there is no soundness, no good principle, no religion, for that is the health of the soul. Nothing but guilt and corruption; the sad effects of Adam's fall. This passage declares the total depravity of human nature. While sin remains unrepented, nothing is done toward healing these wounds, and preventing fatal effects. Jerusalem was exposed and unprotected, like the huts or sheds built up to guard ripening fruits. These are still to be seen in the East, where fruits form a large part of the summer food of the people. But the Lord had a small remnant of pious servants at Jerusalem. It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed. The evil nature is in every one of us; only Jesus and his sanctifying Spirit can restore us to spiritual health.
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.
Commentary on Isaiah 1:16-20
(Read Isaiah 1:16-20)
Not only feel sorrow for the sin committed, but break off the practice. We must be doing, not stand idle. We must be doing the good the Lord our God requires. It is plain that the sacrifices of the law could not atone, even for outward national crimes. But, blessed be God, there is a Fountain opened, in which sinners of every age and rank may be cleansed. Though our sins have been as scarlet and crimson, a deep dye, a double dye, first in the wool of original corruption, and afterwards in the many threads of actual transgression; though we have often dipped into sin, by many backslidings; yet pardoning mercy will take out the stain, Psalm 51:7. They should have all the happiness and comfort they could desire. Life and death, good and evil, are set before us. O Lord, incline all of us to live to thy glory.
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?