ISAIAH 58

Isaiah 40-66 have been labeled by some scholars as Second Isaiah. Whether or not they were written by another author, their overall tone appears to be different from the first part of the book. In this last part of Isaiah, chapters 40-48 appear to be exclusively centered around the works of God the Father. Then toward the end of that section, in Isaiah 48:6, God says: “From now on I will tell you of new things, of hidden things unknown to you.” Thus, it is possible that the new things include chapters 49-57 (which focus on the Suffering Messiah) and chapters 58-66 (which contain two of the three mentions of “Holy Spirit” in the whole Old Testament and approximately half of the references to God's spirit in Isaiah). Thus, the “new things” are nothing less than a revelation of the Trinity

The historical context this chapter addressed is either the early post-exile period (International Bible Commentary) or in anticipation of the return of the exiles (Chisholm, Handbook on the Prophets). Note that there are no references to the temple or sacrifices.

Oswalt (Isaiah 40-66) entitles this chapter “Righteousness and Ritual” and notes that it is reminiscent of Isaiah 1:10-20 except that the earlier passage was followed by a threat if the people didn't obey while Isaiah 58 has a promise if they do obey.

“The disconnect between religious practice and ethics...comes to the fore...in Isaiah 58.” (Dictionary of the Old Testament Prophets, p. 730)

“Probably there is no better chapter on a call for social justice in the Bible than Isaiah 58. (Kaiser, Toward OT Ethics, p. 160)

Albright and Mann (Matthew) relate this passage to the Judgment scene in Matthew 25 where the sheep are separated from the goats on the basis of their treatment of the poor and disadvantaged.

This chapter sets “Israel's and Judah's political misfortunes in the context of their practices of social injustice.” (Dictionary of Scripture and Ethics, p. 652)

“Proper ethical behavior does not match the humility avowed by the fast.” (DOTP, p. 520)

A retired pastor at our church once gave a sermon in which he quoted his old seminary professor saying, “If you consider yourself a conservative Christian then you must be liberal regarding social issues.

After the 2016 presidential election, a poll was conducted on white evangelicals asking why they voted for Donald Trump (85%). I had fully expected that the overwhelming issue would be that of abortion, with Supreme Court appointments a close second. And these are both important issues for Christians. However, the Supreme Court ranked fifth in importance and abortion came in at eleventh place. What were evangelicals most concerned about: in order they were terrorism, the economy, foreign policy and gun policy. In other words, the vote was driven primarily by fear and money.

verse 1 The prophet's words must command as much attention as the trumpet that announced the beginning of sacred festivals (International Bible Commentary) or as loud as God's voice at Mt. Sinai which struck fear in the people's hearts. (Wolf, Interpreting Isaiah)

verse 2 God's righteousness and justice should be matched by similar behavior in Israel. They seek Yahweh through religious procedures. Oswalt translates it “Me they seek (of all things)!” The phrase “doing your pleasure / business” also appears in verses 3,13 and 14.

“It is possible to be zealous for the form of God's ways while missing completely the truths that those forms are meant to convey.” (Oswalt)

“Christians who speak glowingly of the return of Christ might profit from thinking along these same lines. Are we really ready for his return?” (Oswalt)

verse 3 In the Old Testament, fasting was only a sign of sorrow. The one prescribed fast was on the Day of Atonement. (McKenzie, Second Isaiah) During the Exile the number of days set aside for fasting started increased (Zechariah 7:5). (Wolf) The sins of self-centeredness (3a) and oppression of laborers (3b) are mentioned here.

verses 3-4 “Repentance is not for the purpose of getting God to do anything; it is an expression of the conviction that my ways are wrong and God's ways are right, whether he does anything for me or not.” (Oswalt) The people complain to God that they have gone through the necessary motions. Why hasn't God blessed them.” (Oswalt) It is really not that different from “Name it-Claim it” Christianity.

verse 5 reads literally, “Like this will be a fast I will choose it?” meaning “Shall a fast that I choose be like this?” or “Is that what you call a fast?” (Oswalt) Matthew 6:16 may echo this verse.

Verses 6-12 describe what God desires instead. The Dictionary of Biblical Imagery points out that there are several sets of four in this passage, which symbolically indicates universals of those items including those items not specifically mentioned:

Vv. 6-8 include four aspects of justice, four specific acts of compassion, and four consequent blessings.

Vv. 9-10 cite four blessings and four actions listed chiastically so that 1 and 4 are promises and 2 and 3 are comments.

verse 6 “Let the oppressed go free” is quoted in part by Jesus in Luke 4:21 along with 61:1-2. “Jesus saw himself not only as the herald of salvation from Isaiah 61:1-2, but also as the agent who would bring it about from Isaiah 58:6. (DOTP, p. 652)

“The bond of unrighteousness” in this verse refers to the bondage imposed on Israel from without. In Acts 8:23 the same phrase appears where it refers to Simon's internal wickedness.

verses 6-7 Communal fasting rituals are attacked “as merely external rituals and words without a true seeking of God reflected in repentance in behavior. (DOTP. p. 665) By contrast, true fasting is redefined as seeking social reform and “a firm ethical commitment to provide housing for the homeless.” (DOTP, p. 840)

verse 7 “Your flesh” may refer to their relatives or human beings in general. (Oswalt)  “The poor are mentioned almost 300 times in the Old Testament.” (Kaiser, Toward OT Ethics, p. 59)  Matthew 25:35-36 also alludes to the type of fast required by God. (OT/NT, p. 90)

verse 8 may refer to the growth of new skin over an infected wound. (Boda, Zechariah, p. 398)

This verse quotes Isaiah 52:15b. “Light and healing” may include the joy of salvation and prosperity. (Wolf)

verses 8-9a “Your righteousness” is parallel to “the glory of the Lord.” “It is as the Lord empowers the people in his gracious righteousness that they will be enabled to live righteous and holy lives in his presence.” (Oswalt)

This is the same glory of God that accompanied the Israelites in the wilderness in the form of a pillar of cloud and fire. (Wolf) In turn, the phrase “glory of God” in Revelation 21:11 probably derives from this verse.

verses 8-12 If the people repent, then they will obtain the blessings given in Isaiah 52:12.

verses 9b-12 express the principle found in Matthew 7:2. (New Bible Commentary)

“Rather than making ourselves hungry, we should alleviate hunger in others.” (Oswalt)

verse 9 The promise “then you shall call” looks back to the prayers of v. 3 (James 4:3, 8ff)

“Pointing the finger” was a sign of mockery and contempt, also found in Isaiah 57:4; 66:5; and Proverbs 6:13. We have a similar custom today.

verses 10b-12 Making the bones strong is in contrast to passages where terror makes the bones tremble and others where sorrow or guilt make the bones waste away. (Oswalt)

verse 11 The simile of the watered garden reappears in Jeremiah 31:12. This is in contrast to the “garden without water” in Isaiah 1:30. The exact meaning of the original Hebrew is difficult in places and has given rise to various translations.

verse 12 “God always gives us the dignity of being involved in putting back together what we have broken.” (Oswalt)

verses 13-14 When the subject turns to another ritual, the Sabbath, one would expect that God would condemn its observance as well as fasting, but instead He criticizes the people for ignoring it. The people were using the Sabbath for business and pleasure. (Wolf) In both cases, however, the people demonstrate the same heart issue: selfishness and ignoring God's authority. (Chisholm) There needs to be the proper balance between religious observances and a true heart attitude.

verse 13 Not “do you business, but doing your wishes” or “seeking your own pleasure” (Oswalt; DOTP, p. 101) “Dabber dabar” (excessive talk) may refer to conducting legal processes on the Sabbath. (McKenzie, Second Isaiah)

verse 14 “The mouth of the LORD has spoken” is found ten times in Isaiah. Riding “on the heights of the land” = possessing the Promised Land.