21 How the faithful city has become a prostitute!
She was full of justice; righteousness lodged in her,
but now murderers. 22 Your silver has become dross,
your wine mixed with water. 23 Your princes are rebellious, and companions of thieves.
Everyone loves bribes, and follows after rewards.
They don’t judge the fatherless,
neither does the cause of the widow come to them. 24 Therefore the Lord, Yahweh of Armies,
the Mighty One of Israel, says:
“Ah, I will get relief from my adversaries,
and avenge myself of my enemies; 25 and I will turn my hand on you,
thoroughly purge away your dross,
and will take away all your tin. 26 I will restore your judges as at the first,
and your counselors as at the beginning.
Afterward you shall be called ‘The city of righteousness,
a faithful town.’ 27 Zion shall be redeemed with justice,
and her converts with righteousness. 28 But the destruction of transgressors and sinners shall be together,
and those who forsake Yahweh shall be consumed. 29 For they shall be ashamed of the oaks which you have desired,
and you shall be confounded for the gardens that you have chosen. 30 For you shall be as an oak whose leaf fades,
and as a garden that has no water. 31 The strong will be like tinder,
and his work like a spark.
They will both burn together,
and no one will quench them.”
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Isaiah 1:21-31
Commentary on Isaiah 1:21-31
(Read Isaiah 1:21-31)
Neither holy cities nor royal ones are faithful to their trust, if religion does not dwell in them. Dross may shine like silver, and the wine that is mixed with water may still have the colour of wine. Those have a great deal to answer for, who do not help the oppressed, but oppress them. Men may do much by outward restraints; but only God works effectually by the influences of his Spirit, as a Spirit of Judgment. Sin is the worst captivity, the worst slavery. The redemption of the spiritual Zion, by the righteousness and death of Christ, and by his powerful grace, most fully accord with what is here meant. Utter ruin is threatened. The Jews should become as a tree when blasted by heat; as a garden without water, which in those hot countries would soon be burned up. Thus shall they be that trust in idols, or in an arm of flesh. Even the strong man shall be as tow; not only soon broken, and pulled to pieces, but easily catching fire. When the sinner has made himself as tow and stubble, and God makes himself as a consuming fire, what can prevent the utter ruin of the sinner?