Isaiah
Verse 1. Sins. During the captivity. verse 11. Saint Thomas.—Some will not hear, and those must be rebuked with all patience, till they follow virtue. Worthington.
EXPLANATIONS
Isaiah 58
Historical chapter commentary
Isaiah
Verse 2. Approach, and contend with God, scrutinizing his conduct, (Proverbs 25:27) and doing good for the sake of applause and self-interest.
Isaiah
Verse 3. Will. This alone suggested their fasts, and they did not shew compassion. Ezekiel 7:2. Calmet.—Debtors, who are not able to pay. Saint Jerome Deuteronomy 24:12.
Isaiah
Verse 4. Strife. The usual works were interrupted. The Church formerly forbade law-suits on fast-days.—Fist. Matthew 18:28.—Wickedly. Septuagint “the humble.”
Isaiah
Verse 5. Circle. They affected extreme debility. Matthew 6:16. Calmet.—Ashes. These external marks of penance are not condemned, but the want of corresponding sentiments. Bible.—Prot. would hence infer that fasting from flesh is not requisite, or a religious worship. But S. Jerom shews the contrary, provided it be joined with the observance of other commandments, as the saints and Christ himself have shewn us.
Isaiah
Verse 6. Bands. Contracts of usury, and so forth Calmet.
Isaiah
Verse 7. Deal. Lit. “break.” Bible.—Thin cakes are still used in the East.—Flesh, or relation. Genesis 27:27.
Isaiah
Verse 8. Light. Prosperity, ( Calmet.) or Saviour. Bible.—Matthew 4:2 and John 1:8. Calmet.—Health. Aquila, “the scar of thy wound shall soon be covered.” Saint Jerome—Up. He shall close the rear, like the angel in the cloud. Exodus 13:21 and 14:19. He will grant thee rest from bondage in the grave and in heaven. Calmet.
Isaiah
Verse 9. Finger, contemptuously, or threatening. Saint Jerome—Some explain it of the ordaining sacred ministers, or taking another’s property.
Isaiah
Verse 10. Soul, effectually, and with love relieving the distressed. Calmet.
Isaiah
Verse 11. Fail. Septuagint Alex. adds, “and thy bones as a flower shall spring and grow fat, and shall inherit ages of ages.” S. Jerom says this is not in the best copies. Bible.
Isaiah
Verse 12. Generation. As the Jews did not comply with the condition, the Church falls heir to these promises.
Isaiah
Verse 13. Sabbath, doing no work, or refraining from the violation of festivals.—Delightful. We must not think the sabbath of the Lord a loss: (Amos 8:5) but rejoice in praising him. Psalms 45:11. Calmet.—A word, or to apply to God’s word. Grot.—Pious reading on holidays is the duty of all who have an opportunity. Bible.
Isaiah
Verse 14. Earth. Judea. Calmet.—Septuagint “upon the good things of the land.” Bible.