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 , [1] Offspring of evildoers , Sons who act corruptly ! They have abandoned the Lord , They have despised the Holy One of Israel , They have turned away [2]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 [3]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 [4]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 [5]covered with blood .
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Isaiah 1:2-15
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.