Charles Spurgeon Commentary Isaiah 1:3-4

"The ox knoweth his owner, and the ass his master`s crib; [but] Israel doth not know, my people doth not consider. Ah sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, a seed of evil-doers, children that deal corruptly! they have forsaken Jehovah, they have despised the Holy One of Israel, they are estranged [and gone] backward." — Isaiah 1:3-4 (ASV)

The ox knows his owner, and the ass his master's crib: but Israel does not know, my people do not consider. Ah sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, a seed of evildoers, children that are corrupters: they have forsaken the LORD, they have provoked the Holy One of Israel to anger, they have gone away backward.

More brutish than the brutes are men when they forget their God. The dog follows its master's heels, but man will not be obedient to his Lord. The ox knows his owner, and gives some sign of recognition when he sees him; but alas! the ungodly sons of men do not know the God that made them, feeds them, keeps them alive.

Where are you, O backslider? Mingling once again with the people of God, let these words come home to you. There is a Thus says the Lord in the prophet's words to them; and thus says the Lord to you. You have gone away backward, provoking the Holy One of Israel to anger.