Bible Commentary

Isaiah 43:22

The Pulpit Commentary on Isaiah 43:22

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

But thou hast not called upon me. The Jews had never been greatly given to prayer. They were a "practical" people, active, energetic, hard-working, busily employed in handicrafts, commerce, or agriculture.

David and Daniel, who prayed three times a day (; ), were probably exceptions to the general rule. At any rate, it appears here that in the exile the nation had neglected prayer.

No doubt there was a nucleus of "faithful men," who did as Daniel did. But with the mass it was otherwise. Hard toil occupied their time. Despair made dull their hearts. They looked for no alleviation of their lot, and lived on in a sort of apathy.

But thou hast been weary of me; rather, for thou hast wearied of me. Thou hast left off praying, because thou wast weary of my service.

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commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Isaiah 43:1-28EXPOSITIONJoseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryMatthew Henry on Isaiah 43:22-28Those who neglect to call upon God, are weary of him. The Master tired not the servants with his commands, but they tired him with disobedience. What were the riches of God's mercy toward them? I, even I, am he who yet…Matthew HenrycommentaryReproof to God's People. (b. c. 708.)REPROOF TO GOD'S PEOPLE. (B. C. 708.) This charge (and a high charge it is which is here exhibited against Jacob and Israel, God's professing people) comes in here, 1. To clear God's justice in bringing them into captiv…Matthew HenrycommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Isaiah 43:22-28The folly of self-justification before God. Self-justification, addressed by man to God, is doubly foolish— I. AS HAVING NO BASIS IN TRUTH, AND THEREFORE EASILY CONFUTED. There is no fact more certain, whether we accept…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Isaiah 43:22-28Memories of exile. I. THE FAITHLESSNESS OF THE PEOPLE. They have forgotten the covenant of their God. They have neglected one of its first duties—prayer, which marks dependence; or they had prayed to other gods; or thei…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Isaiah 43:22Wearying of God's worship. This is quite a customary prophetical complaint. The idea seems to be that God noticed his people making a toil rather than a joy of his service. They kept it up, but it was evidently an irkso…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Isaiah 43:22-25Righteousness, guilt, mercy. We notice here— I. THE REASONABLENESS OF GOD'S SERVICE. "I have not caused thee to serve with an offering, nor wearied thee with incense." God's service is not a servitude, a slavery; nor is…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Isaiah 43:22-28A REPROACH ADDRESSED TO CAPTIVE ISRAEL FOR ITS PAST OMISSIONS AND SINS. The thought of Israel in the future, redeemed, restored, and "telling out God's praise" (Isaiah 43:21), raises naturally the con-trusted thought of…Joseph S. Exell and contributors