Transgressors … sinners … they that forsake the Lord (comp. Isaiah 1:2 and Isaiah 1:4 ). These are scarcely distinct classes—rather different names for the ungodly. All of them, by whatever name they were called, would perish "together." read more
The oaks which ye have desired are, primarily, the "green trees " under which images were set up ( 2 Kings 17:10 ), but perhaps represent also any worldly attractions which draw the soul away from God—as wealth, or power, or honors. In the day of suffering, sinners are ashamed of having been led away by such poor temptations as those to which they have yielded (comp. Romans 6:21 , "What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed?"). The gardens. Kay suggests... read more
Ye shall be as an oak , etc. Contrast the case of the godly, whose "leaf shall not wither" ( Psalms 1:3 ). read more
The strong (literally, the strong one ) shall be as tow; i.e. weak and powerless (comp. 16:9 ), utterly unable to resist the Divine fiat when it goes forth. The maker of it. An extraordinary mistranslation, since po ' al never means anything but "work." His own acts would light the fire by which the "strong one" would be consumed and perish. " Nec lex justior ulla est, Quam necis artifices arts perire sua ." read more
And the destruction - Hebrew שׁבר sheber - the breaking, or crushing, that is, the punishment which was about to come upon them; compare Lamentations 2:11; Lamentations 3:47; Proverbs 16:18.Of the transgressors - “Revolters,” or those that rebel against God.And of the sinners - Of all the sinners in the nation, of all kinds and degrees.Together - At the same time with the redemption of Zion.Shall be consumed - יכלוּ yı̂kelû, from כלה kâlâh, to be completed, or finished; to be consumed,... read more
For they shall be ashamed - That is, when they see the punishment that their idolatry has brought upon them, they shall be ashamed of the folly and degradation of their worship. Moreover, the gods in which they trusted shall yield them no protection, and shall leave them to the disgrace and confusion of being forsaken and abandoned.Of the oaks - Groves, in ancient times, were the favorite places of idolatrous worship. In the city of Rome, there were thirty-two groves consecrated to the gods.... read more
For ye ... - The mention of the tree in the previous verse, gives the prophet occasion for the beautiful image in this. They had desired the oak, and they should be like it. That, when the frost came, was divested of its beauty, and its leaves faded, and fell; so should their beauty and privileges and happiness, as a people, fade away at the anger of God.A garden that hath no water - That is therefore withered and parched up; where nothing would flourish, but where all would be desolation - a... read more
And the strong - Those who have been thought to be strong, on whom the people relied for protection and defense - their rulers, princes, and the commanders of their armies.As tow - The coarse or broken part of flax, or hemp. It means here that which shall be easily and quickly kindled and rapidly consumed. As tow burns and is destroyed at the touch of fire, so shall the rulers of the people be consumed by the approaching calamities.And the maker of it - This is an unhappy translation. The word... read more
Isaiah 1:27-28. Zion shall be redeemed Shall be delivered from all their enemies and calamities; with judgment By the exercise of God’s strict justice in destroying the obdurate; by purging out those wicked and incorrigible Jews, who, by their sins, hindered the deliverance of the people; and by punishing and destroying their unmerciful enemies who kept them in cruel bondage; and her converts Hebrew, ושׁביה , her returners, those of them who shall come out of captivity into their... read more
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The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 1:24-31
Sentence passed. I. THE JUDGE . He is "Jehovah of hosts, the Strong One of Israel." He saith, " By the strength of my hand I have done it" ( Isaiah 10:13 ). He has power to carry out his sentences. The holy fire of his indignation breaks forth like a volcanic flood. From one point of view evil men must be conceived as the enemies of God, and their punishment as his vengeance. If alone dwelt upon, such a representation becomes false, because it ignores the aspect of Divine love,... read more