Isaiah 58:13

If thou turn away thy foot from the sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on my holy day; and call the sabbath a delight, the holy of the Lord, honourable; and shalt honour him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words:

Isaiah 58:13 (KJV)

Context

Isaiah ministered in ancient Israel during a time of spiritual decline. In this passage he confronts the people’s neglect of the Sabbath, which had become a day for personal pleasure rather than a holy day set apart for honoring God.

Meaning

The Sabbath was instituted by God as a day of rest and worship for Israel. Isaiah calls for a proper observance that involves abstaining from personal pleasures and focusing wholly on honoring the Lord. The day is to be treated as a delight, a holy day of the LORD, and therefore worthy of reverence.

Turning away one’s foot from the Sabbath means withdrawing the mind and affections from worldly concerns, for the affections carry the heart as the feet carry the body. The verse gives a threefold practical test: not doing our own ways, not finding our own pleasure, and not speaking our own words. This covers actions, desires, and speech, calling the whole person to honor God.

Biblical connections

The language of the verse, while expressed in Old Testament terms, points to the time of worship under the Gospel, when the proper name for the day of worship is the Lord’s day, as referenced in Revelation 1:10. The Sabbath serves as a symbol of the covenant relationship between God and His people and a commitment to live according to His commands.

Application

Although the Sabbath commandment was given specifically to Israel, the principle of setting aside dedicated time for worship and rest remains relevant for Christians. It reminds believers to pause from daily routines, to set aside time for God, and to align their lives with His will, treating that time as a delight and a holy appointment with the Lord.

Reflection

Honoring God on the Sabbath means refraining from pursuing our own ways, pleasures, and words. It is a time to focus on God, to worship Him, and to align both actions and speech with His will. By observing the Sabbath and honoring God, believers demonstrate recognition of God’s authority and holiness.