John Calvin Commentary Isaiah 58:14

"then shalt thou delight thyself in Jehovah; and I will make thee to ride upon the high places of the earth; and I will feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father: for the mouth of Jehovah hath spoken it." — Isaiah 58:14 (ASV)

Then you will delight in Jehovah. He appears to allude to the word delight in the preceding verse; for the verb תתעגג (tithgnanneg), which the Prophet employs, is derived from the same root as עגג (gnoneg), which he formerly used when he said that the Lord takes the highest delight in the true observation of the Sabbath.

In a word, he means that the people take no delight in God because they provoke him and do not obey his will. For if we framed our life in obedience to God, we would be his delight, and, on the other hand, he would be our delight.

Thus, he affirms that it is owing entirely to the Jews themselves that they do not, by relying on a reconciled God, lead a cheerful and joyful life. By these words, he indirectly reproaches them with bringing upon themselves, by their own fault, many calamities.

And I will cause you to ride on the high places of the earth. By these words, he promises a return to their native country and a safe habitation in it.

We know that Judea was situated on a lofty place above the neighboring countries, while the situation of Babylon was much lower, so that the people trembled as if they had been shut up in a cave.

He next tells more plainly what he meant by the word ride, for he promises the possession of that country which had been promised and given to the fathers, and which they at that time enjoyed, and of which they were afterwards deprived for a time.

For the mouth of Jehovah has spoken it. He added this so that they might know, beyond all controversy, that all these things were true; and this must be viewed as referring not only to those promises but likewise to the beginning of the chapter.

For he rebuked hypocrites, who thought that they were defending themselves in a just cause. He showed that they were suffering the just punishment of their sins and that it was in vain to contend with God and to bring forward in opposition to him their own works, which were altogether empty and worthless.

On that account, he brings them back to the true observation of the Sabbath and shows that it will be well with them if they worship God in a right manner.

Finally, he concludes that they do not have to deal with a mortal man, but that he who pronounces these things is God the Judge.

CHAPTER 59.