But if ye refuse and rebel ,.... The Targum is, "and do not receive my Word"; the Messiah, when come, neither his person, nor his doctrines and ordinances: ye shall be devoured with the sword ; of the Roman armies, as they were under Titus Vespasian; see Matthew 22:7 . for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it ; now, by Isaiah, as well as in former times, Leviticus 26:25 . read more
Ye shall be devoured with the sword "Ye shall be food for the sword" - The Septuagint and Vulgate read תאכלכם tochalchem , "the sword shall devour you;" which is of much more easy construction than the present reading of the text. The Chaldee seems to read תאכלו אויב בחרב bechereb oyeb teachelu , "ye shall be consumed by the sword of the enemy." The Syriac also reads בחרב beehereb and renders the verb passively. And the rhythmus seems to require this addition. - Dr. Jubb. read more
The prophetic strain. Isaiah had gone only a very little way in his testimony when he broke into the true prophetic strain. The prophets were God's witnesses against the mere shows and semblances of piety, and for the reality of godliness and virtue; they lived to expose the false and to expound the true, to pierce with keen edged sword that which was hollow and rotten, and to commend with glowing zeal that which was sound and good. Here we have a deliverance which evidently came hot from a... read more
THE REQUIREMENT OF GOD — AMENDMENT OF LIFE . God, having put aside the worthless plea of outward religiousness made by his people, goes on to declare, by the mouth of his prophet, what he requires. First, in general terms ( Isaiah 1:16 ), and then with distinct specification ( Isaiah 1:17 ), he calls on them to amend their ways, both negatively ("cease to do evil") and positively ("learn to do well"). If they will really amend, then he assures them of forgiveness and... read more
No return to God's favor without amendment of life. The outward show of religion, which the Israelites maintained, vain and futile as it was, seemed to indicate that they were not wholly irreclaimable—they did not desire to break altogether with God. The prophet, therefore, assumes that they would wish to know the way by which they may remove God's anger, and enter once more into favor with him; and he proceeds to point out that the one and only road open to them is to amend their ways—to... read more
Argument and conviction. I. THE TRIAL OF THE CASE . 1. God is reason , otherwise he could not be God of justice . And if the nature can defend itself, clear itself from guilt, its plea will be allowed. Just so in Isaiah 43:19 , the imagery of a court of justice is presented: "Let them bring forth their witnesses that they may be justified, and let them hear, and say, It is true." The question is—Can the nation clear itself from the charges alleged against it? If so,... read more
Unrighteousness a nation's curse. Comp. Proverbs 14:34 , "Righteousness exalteth a nation; but sin is a reproach to any people." The prophet is picturing the corrupt state of the metropolis, and contrasting its present moral degradation with the high and honorable character which it had formerly sustained. The following points may be illustrated, and the lessons of them enforced. I. UNRIGHTEOUSNESS IN THE LEADERS IS THE CURSE OF A BAD EXAMPLE . Illustrate by the... read more
If ye refuse and rebel ; i.e. "if ye neither consent in will, nor obey in act, "antithetical to the two verbs in the first clause of Isaiah 1:19 . Ye shall be devoured ; or, ye shall be eaten . The same verb as in the latter clause of Isaiah 1:19 . With the sword. The metaphor is not a common one, but occurs in Jeremiah ( Jeremiah 2:30 ; Jeremiah 12:12 ; Jeremiah 46:10 , Jeremiah 46:14 ) and Nahum ( Nahum 2:13 ). The mouth of the Lord hath spoken it. A weighty... read more
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Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Isaiah 1:16-20
Though God had rejected their services as insufficient to atone for their sins while they persisted in them, yet he does not reject them as in a hopeless condition, but here calls upon them to forsake their sins, which hindered the acceptance of their services, and then all would be well. Let them not say that God picked quarrels with them; no, he proposes a method of reconciliation. Observe here, I. A call to repentance and reformation: ?If you would have your sacrifices accepted, and your... read more