The Pulpit Commentary on Isaiah 1:16-20

The Pulpit Commentary · Joseph S. Exell and contributors · Public domain

THE REQUIREMENT OF GOD—AMENDMENT OF LIFE. God, having put aside the worthless plea of outward religiousness made by his people, goes on to declare, by the mouth of his prophet, what he requires. First, in general terms (Isaiah 1:16), and then with distinct specification (Isaiah 1:17), he calls on them to amend their ways, both negatively ("cease to do evil") and positively ("learn to do well").

If they will really amend, then he assures them of forgiveness and favor; if they refuse and continue their rebellion, the sword will devour them.

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commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Isaiah 1:1-31PART I.—EARLIER PROPHECIES OF ISAIAH (CH. 1-35.) SECTION I.—THE GREAT ARRAIGNMENT (Isaiah 1:1-31.). EXPOSITIONJoseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Isaiah 1:10-17The people's plea considered. The leading men of Jerusalem are supposed to reply to the charge of Jehovah, pointing to the elaborate manner in which his worship is kept up. And Jehovah rejects their plea with scorn. I.…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Isaiah 1:10-20The prophetic strain. Isaiah had gone only a very little way in his testimony when he broke into the true prophetic strain. The prophets were God's witnesses against the mere shows and semblances of piety, and for the r…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryMatthew Henry on Isaiah 1:16-20Not only feel sorrow for the sin committed, but break off the practice. We must be doing, not stand idle. We must be doing the good the Lord our God requires. It is plain that the sacrifices of the law could not atone,…Matthew Henry commentaryA Call to Repentance; Repentance and Reformation Urged. (b. c. 738.)A CALL TO REPENTANCE; REPENTANCE AND REFORMATION URGED. (B. C. 738.) Though God had rejected their services as insufficient to atone for their sins while they persisted in them, yet he does not reject them as in a hopel…Matthew Henry commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Isaiah 1:16Wash you, make you clean. The analogy of sin to defilement, and of washing to cleansing from sin, has been felt among men universally wherever there has been any sense of sin. Outward purification by water has been cons…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Isaiah 1:16-20No return to God's favor without amendment of life. The outward show of religion, which the Israelites maintained, vain and futile as it was, seemed to indicate that they were not wholly irreclaimable—they did not desir…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Isaiah 1:17Learn to do well. Now comes the positive; first, in the general form" learn," etc.; which resembles the apostle's "Put on the armor of light" (Romans 13:12). Then follow the particulars. Seek judgment; or, seek out just…Joseph S. Exell and contributors