Isaiah 58:13-14

Keeping the Sabbath

13 "If because of the sabbath, you 1turn your foot From doing your own pleasure on My holy day, And call the sabbath a 2delight, the holy day of the LORD honorable, And honor it, desisting from your 3own ways, From seeking your own pleasure And 4speaking your own word,
14 Then you will take 5delight in the LORD, And I will make you ride 6on the heights of the earth; And I will feed you with the heritage of Jacob your father, For the 7mouth of the LORD has spoken."

Isaiah 58:13-14 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO ISAIAH 58

From the wicked and antichristian party the prophet is bid to turn to the professors of the true religion, and openly, boldly, and sharply, reprove them for their sins, particularly their hypocrisy and formality in worship, Isa 58:1,2, who yet were angry, and complained that the Lord took no notice of their religious services, particularly their fasting, which is put for the whole; the reason of which was, because they did not fast aright; it was attended with much cruelty, strife, and wickedness, and only lay in external appearances, Isa 58:3-5, when they are directed how to keep a fast, and are shown what a true fast is, and what works and services are acceptable to God, Isa 58:6,7 on doing of which, light, health, prosperity, and hearing of their prayers, are promised, provided the yoke of oppression is taken away, and compassion shown to the poor, Isa 58:8-10, yea, a very fruitful and flourishing estate of the soul is promised, and a rebuilding of waste places, delight in the Lord, and great honour and dignity; so be it that the sabbath of the Lord, or public worship, is attended to in a proper manner, Isa 58:11-14.

Cross References 7

  • 1. Exodus 31:16, 17; Exodus 35:2, 3; Is 56:2, 4, 6; Jeremiah 17:21-27
  • 2. Psalms 27:4; Psalms 42:4; Psalms 84:2, 10
  • 3. Isaiah 55:8
  • 4. Isaiah 59:13
  • 5. Job 22:26; Isaiah 61:10
  • 6. Deuteronomy 32:13; Deuteronomy 33:29; Isaiah 33:16; Habakkuk 3:19
  • 7. Isaiah 1:20; Isaiah 40:5
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