Isaiah 58:2
Yet they seek me daily, and delight to know my ways, as a nation that did righteousness, and forsook not the ordinance of their God: they ask of me the ordinances of justice; they take delight in approaching to God.
Original Language Analysis
וְאוֹתִ֗י
H853
וְאוֹתִ֗י
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
1 of 21
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
יוֹם֙
me daily
H3117
יוֹם֙
me daily
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
2 of 21
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
יוֹם֙
me daily
H3117
יוֹם֙
me daily
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
3 of 21
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
יִדְרֹשׁ֔וּן
Yet they seek
H1875
יִדְרֹשׁ֔וּן
Yet they seek
Strong's:
H1875
Word #:
4 of 21
properly, to tread or frequent; usually to follow (for pursuit or search); by implication, to seek or ask; specifically to worship
דְּרָכַ֖י
my ways
H1870
דְּרָכַ֖י
my ways
Strong's:
H1870
Word #:
6 of 21
a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb
יֶחְפָּצֽוּן׃
and delight
H2654
יֶחְפָּצֽוּן׃
and delight
Strong's:
H2654
Word #:
7 of 21
properly, to incline to; by implication (literally but rarely) to bend; figuratively, to be pleased with, desire
כְּג֞וֹי
as a nation
H1471
כְּג֞וֹי
as a nation
Strong's:
H1471
Word #:
8 of 21
a foreign nation; hence, a gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts
אֲשֶׁר
H834
אֲשֶׁר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
9 of 21
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
צְדָקָ֣ה
righteousness
H6666
צְדָקָ֣ה
righteousness
Strong's:
H6666
Word #:
10 of 21
rightness (abstractly), subjectively (rectitude), objectively (justice), morally (virtue) or figuratively (prosperity)
עָשָׂ֗ה
that did
H6213
עָשָׂ֗ה
that did
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
11 of 21
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
מִשְׁפְּטֵי
not the ordinance
H4941
מִשְׁפְּטֵי
not the ordinance
Strong's:
H4941
Word #:
12 of 21
properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a sentence or formal decree (human or (participant's) divine law, ind
אֱלֹהִ֖ים
of their God
H430
אֱלֹהִ֖ים
of their God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
13 of 21
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
לֹ֣א
H3808
לֹ֣א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
14 of 21
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יִשְׁאָל֙וּנִי֙
they ask
H7592
יִשְׁאָל֙וּנִי֙
they ask
Strong's:
H7592
Word #:
16 of 21
to inquire; by implication, to request; by extension, to demand
מִשְׁפְּטֵי
not the ordinance
H4941
מִשְׁפְּטֵי
not the ordinance
Strong's:
H4941
Word #:
17 of 21
properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a sentence or formal decree (human or (participant's) divine law, ind
צֶ֔דֶק
of justice
H6664
צֶ֔דֶק
of justice
Strong's:
H6664
Word #:
18 of 21
the right (natural, moral or legal); also (abstractly) equity or (figuratively) prosperity
Cross References
Isaiah 29:13Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men:Titus 1:16They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.
Historical Context
This prophecy addressed the post-exilic community who had rebuilt the temple and resumed sacrificial worship, yet their hearts remained far from God. Similar issues arose in Malachi's ministry when the returned exiles maintained religious forms while harboring corrupt hearts (Malachi 1:6-14, 2:17). The pattern of external religiosity masking internal rebellion characterized much of Israel's history, from the days of Samuel (1 Samuel 15:22) through the prophetic era.
Questions for Reflection
- How can we maintain external religious activity while harboring hearts far from God?
- What distinguishes genuine delight in God from mere delight in religious observance?
- In what ways might doctrinal knowledge become a substitute for heart transformation?
Analysis & Commentary
God commands Isaiah to expose religious hypocrisy with the intensity of a shofar blast: "Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet." The threefold command emphasizes urgency and boldness. The message targets "my people" and "the house of Jacob"—not pagans but God's covenant community. The irony is sharp: "They seek me daily, and delight to know my ways, as a nation that did righteousness." They maintain external religious observance—regular worship attendance, desire for biblical teaching, questions about God's ordinances. They "ask of me the ordinances of justice" and "take delight in approaching to God." All appears well—they're religiously active, doctrinally interested, and outwardly devoted. Yet God sees through the facade to expose their hearts. This illustrates the Reformed understanding that external conformity without heart transformation is worthless (1 Samuel 16:7). The Pharisees of Jesus' day embodied this same hypocrisy (Matthew 23:25-28). Mere religious activity, even doctrinally informed activity, cannot substitute for genuine heart devotion and obedience.