Isaiah 65:2-4

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Isaiah 65:1-7

The apostle Paul (an expositor we may depend upon) has given us the true sense of these verses, and told us what was the event they pointed at and were fulfilled in, namely, the calling in of the Gentiles and the rejection of the Jews, by the preaching of the gospel, Rom. 10:20, 21. And he observes that herein Esaias is very bold, not only in foretelling a thing so improbable ever to be brought about, but in foretelling it to the Jews, who would take it as a gross affront to their nation, and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Isaiah 65:2

I have spread out mine hands all the day unto a rebellious people ,.... Meaning Israel, as the apostle explains it, Romans 10:21 , whom he calls a "disobedient and gainsaying people"; who believed not in Christ, obeyed not his Gospel, but contradicted and blasphemed it; and were rebellious against him, would not have him to reign over them, nor submit to his ordinances; though he most affectionately invited them, earnestly pressed and urged them, and that daily and frequently, to attend... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Isaiah 65:3

A people that provoketh me to anger continually to my face ,.... They committed their sins openly, without any fear of the divine Being, and in defiance of him, not at all awed by his omniscience and omnipresence; they committed them in the open streets, and even in the temple, the place of the divine residence; and these they did constantly, which provoked him to anger and wrath against them; particularly the following sins: that sacrificeth in gardens ; to idols, as the Targum, placed... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Isaiah 65:4

Which remain among the graves ,.... In order to practise necromancy, to consult the dead, where they imagined demons and departed spirits haunted, and of whom they fancied they might get knowledge of future things: and lodge in the monuments : whole nights for the same purposes. The Vulgate Latin version is, "that sleep in the temples of idols"; after the manner of the Heathens, who used to sleep there in order to obtain dreams, whereby they might be able to foretell things to come, as... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Isaiah 65:3

That sacrificeth in gardens, and burneth incense upon altars of brick "Sacrificing in the gardens, and burning incense on the tiles" - These are instances of heathenish superstition, and idolatrous practices, to which the Jews were immoderately addicted before the Babylonish captivity. The heathen worshipped their idols in groves; whereas God, in opposition to this species of idolatry, commanded his people, when they should come into the promised land, to destroy all the places wherein the... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Isaiah 65:4

Which remain among the graves - "For the purpose of evoking the dead. They lodged in desert places that demons might appear to them; for demons do appear in such places, to those who do believe in them." - Kimchi. In the monuments "In the caverns" - בנצורים bannetsurim , a word of doubtful signification. An ancient MS. has בצורים batstsurim , another בצרים batstsurim , "in the rocks;" and Le Clec thinks the Septuagint had it so in their copy. They render it by εν τοις... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 65:1-3

Divine reproaches. In the two previous chapters we find. the prophet, pleading in the name of Israel, had urged that God kept strange silence when his people were so long held captive, and their land lay so desolate. In this chapter we have the Divine answer to the prophet's plea. There was good reason for the long delay. Instead of the people reproaching their God, their God might much more reasonably reproach them, for they had rejected his long and earnest appeals; they had put the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 65:1-7

SECTION XI .— GOD 'S ANSWER TO THE EXILES ' PRAYER ( Isaiah 65:1-25 .) ISRAEL 'S SUFFERINGS THE JUST MEED OF THEIR SINS . God's mercy is such that it even overflows upon those who are outside the covenant ( Isaiah 65:1 ). It has been offered to Israel, but Israel has rejected it . Their rebellion, their idolatries, and their pride have caused, and must continue to cause, their punishment ( Isaiah 65:2-7 ). read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 65:1-7

The offensiveness and the doom of sin. The passage brings out in a very graphic form— I. THE OFFENSIVENESS OF SIN . 1 . Assumption. "Walking after their own thoughts" instead of reverently inquiring God's will ( Isaiah 65:2 ). 2 . Positive disobedience in the manner of Divine worship ( Isaiah 65:3 ). 3 . Superstitious practices , implying discontent with the disclosures God had made in his holy Word ( Isaiah 65:4 ). 4 . Irreligious self-indulgence ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 65:1-10

Threatenings and promises. Both, as it would appear, addressed to the chosen people, though many, including St. Paul, apply the earlier part of the passage to the conversion of the Gentiles. There is a polytheistic party, and a party of true believers in the nation. I. GOD BEFOREHAND WITH MEN . He "allows himself to be consulted;" he "offers answers," or "is heard" by those who came not to consult him. He was "at hand to those who did not seek him." To a nation that did not... read more

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