ISAIAS 58

 

CHAPTER LVIII.

 

Ver. 1.  Sins.  During the captivity.  v. 11.  S. Thomas. --- Some will not hear, and those must be rebuked with all patience, till they follow virtue.  W.

 

Ver. 2.  Approach, and contend with God, scrutinizing his conduct, (Prov. xxv. 27.) and doing good for the sake of applause and self-interest.

 

Ver. 3.  Will.  This alone suggested their fasts, and they did not shew compassion.  Ezec. vii. 2.  C. --- Debtors, who are not able to pay.  S. Jer.  Deut. xxiv. 12.

 

Ver. 4.  Strife.  The usual works were interrupted.  The Church formerly forbade law-suits on fast-days. --- Fist.  Mat. xviii. 28. --- Wickedly.  Sept. "the humble."

 

Ver. 5.  Circle.  They affected extreme debility.  Mat. vi. 16.  C. --- Ashes.  These external marks of penance are not condemned, but the want of corresponding sentiments.  H. --- 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.  W.

 

Ver. 6.  Bands.  Contracts of usury, &c.  C.

 

Ver. 7.  Deal.  Lit. "break."  H. --- Thin cakes are still used in the East. --- Flesh, or relation.  Gen. xxvii. 27.

 

Ver. 8.  Light.  Prosperity, (C.) or Saviour.  H. --- Mat. iv. 2. and John i. 8.  C. --- Health.  Aquila, "the scar of thy wound shall soon be covered."  S. Jer. --- Up.  He shall close the rear, like the angel in the cloud.  Ex. xiii. 21. and xiv. 19.  He will grant thee rest from bondage in the grave and in heaven.  C.

 

Ver. 9.  Finger, contemptuously, or threatening.  S. Jer. --- Some explain it of the ordaining sacred ministers, or taking another's property.

 

Ver. 10.  Soul, effectually, and with love relieving the distressed.  C.

 

Ver. 11.  Fail.  Sept. 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. H.

 

Ver. 12.  Generation.  As the Jews did not comply with the condition, the Church falls heir to these promises.

 

Ver. 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 viii. 5.) but rejoice in praising him.  Ps. xlv. 11.  C. --- A word, or to apply to God's word.  Grot. --- Pious reading on holidays is the duty of all who have an opportunity.  H.

 

Ver. 14.  Earth.  Judea.  C. --- Sept. "upon the good things of the land."  H.