Isa 58:9, 14 | JFB | STEP | 9. Then . . . call . . . answer —when sin is renounced ( ). When the Lord's call is not hearkened to, He will not hear our "call" ( ). putting forth of . . . finger —the finger of scorn pointed at simple-minded godly men. The middle finger was so used by the Romans. speaking vanity

Isaiah 58:9

9. Then . . . call . . . answer—when sin is renounced (Isa 65:24). When the Lord's call is not hearkened to, He will not hear our "call" (Ps 66:18; Pr 1:24, 28; 15:29; 28:9).

putting forth of . . . finger—the finger of scorn pointed at simple-minded godly men. The middle finger was so used by the Romans.

speaking vanity—every injurious speech [LOWTH].

Isaiah 58:14

14. delight . . . in . . . Lord—God rewards in kind, as He punishes in kind. As we "delight" in keeping God's "Sabbath," so God will give us "delight" in Himself (Ge 15:1; Job 22:21-26; Ps 37:4).

ride upon . . . high places—I will make thee supreme lord of the land; the phrase is taken from a conqueror riding in his chariot, and occupying the hills and fastnesses of a country [VITRINGA], (De 32:13; Mic 1:3; Hab 3:19). Judea was a land of hills; the idea thus is, "I will restore thee to thine own land" [CALVIN]. The parallel words, "heritage of Jacob," confirm this (Ge 27:28, 29; 28:13-15).

mouth of . . . Lord . . . spoken it—a formula to assure men of the fulfilment of any solemn promise which God has made (Isa 40:5).