Isaiah 58:9
Then you shall call, and the LORD will answer; you shall cry, and he will say, ‘Here I am.’ If you take away the yoke from your midst, the pointing of the finger, and speaking wickedness,
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The promise of God's immediate answer—"Here I am!"—isn't just about prayer in general, but specifically follows the act of removing oppressive "yokes," not just from others, but from within the community itself. This points to a deep truth: God's presence and responsiveness are directly linked to the dismantling of internal injustices and cruel judgments, like "pointing the finger" in scorn.
The prophet Isaiah has just exposed the people's fasting as a hollow religious performance, devoid of true righteousness and compassion. He's contrasted their empty rituals with God's desired fast: liberating the oppressed, sharing with the hungry, and clothing the needy. This verse then reveals the direct consequence of embracing this true fast: God's immediate and attentive response to their cries.
Why would God seem distant when we need Him most? This verse reveals a crucial connection between our actions and God's responsiveness.
The passage contrasts outward religious observance with genuine heart change. The people were fasting and seeking God, but their prayers felt unanswered. The prophet Isaiah clarifies that God's attention isn't captured by mere ritual. Instead, He calls for the removal of specific behaviors that create division and harm:
When these are removed, the way is cleared for true communion with God.
Imagine calling out in desperation and hearing a voice reply, 'Here I am!' This verse paints a powerful picture of God's eagerness to respond.
The verses that follow Isaiah 58:9 describe a beautiful promise: 'Then you shall call, and the LORD will answer; you shall cry, and he will say, ‘Here I am.’' This isn't just a passive acknowledgment; it's an active declaration of presence and readiness.
This passage from Isaiah, likely delivered before the Babylonian exile, speaks to a people who were performing religious rituals but neglecting justice and compassion. The promise of God's answered prayer hinges on genuine repentance and social righteousness, not mere outward observance, a message that would have resonated deeply with those facing national disaster or already in exile.
Late 8th century BC
Prophecies of Isaiah
Isaiah delivers his prophecies during a tumultuous period in ancient Judah, including the reign of King Hezekiah and the looming threat of Assyria.
c. 701 BC
Assyrian Invasion
The Assyrian Empire under Sennacherib invades Judah, besieging Jerusalem. This event deeply impacted the people's sense of security and their relationship with God.
Early 6th century BC
Babylonian Threat and Deportations
As the Neo-Babylonian Empire rises, Judah faces increasing pressure, leading to multiple deportations of its people, including the elite and skilled workers, to Babylon.
586 BC
Fall of Jerusalem
The Babylonians conquer Jerusalem, destroy the Temple, and exile the majority of the remaining population. This marks a period of profound national crisis and spiritual questioning.
This passage directly links calling out to God and His refusal to answer with the recipients of His counsel rejecting His wisdom, highlighting a similar theme of God's response being contingent on human obedience.
Matthew 9:13Jesus quotes Hosea 6:6, 'I desire mercy, and not sacrifice,' which is echoed in Isaiah 58's emphasis on true worship involving justice and compassion, not just ritual, implying that genuine prayer is tied to righteous action.
Luke 18:9-14The parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector illustrates how arrogance and self-righteousness (akin to 'pointing the finger' and 'speaking vanity') hinder true prayer, while humility and repentance lead to God's acceptance, mirroring the contrast in Isaiah 58.
James 4:3This verse explains that prayers are not answered because they are asked with wrong motives—'to spend it on your pleasures'—which aligns with Isaiah 58's critique of fasting and calling out to God for selfish reasons without addressing injustice.
1 John 3:21-22This passage assures believers that if their 'hearts do not condemn them,' their prayers are heard, directly connecting a clear conscience and right living to the effectiveness of their communication with God, much like Isaiah 58 links removed oppression and wickedness to answered prayer.
ellicottIsaiah 58:9: "Then shalt thou call, and the LORD shall answer; thou shalt cry, and he shall say, Here I am. If thou take away from the midst of thee the yoke, the putting forth of the finger, and speaking vanity;"
(9) Then shalt thou call. —The words point to the secret of the prayer which is answered in contrast to the formal worship that found no acceptance ( Isaiah 58:2 ; Isaiah 58:4 ). The putting forth of the finger.—The gesture (Cheyne compares the “infamis digitus” of Persius ii. 33) has…
barnesIsaiah 58:9: "Then shalt thou call, and the LORD shall answer; thou shalt cry, and he shall say, Here I am. If thou take away from the midst of thee the yoke, the putting forth of the finger, and speaking vanity;"
Then shalt thou call - The sense is, that if we go before God renouncing all our sins, and desirous of doing our duty, then we have a right to expect that he will hear us. But if we go indulging still in sin; if we are false and hollow and hypocritical in our worship; or if, while we…
The promise of God's immediate answer—"Here I am!"—isn't just about prayer in general, but specifically follows the act of removing oppressive "yokes," not just from others, but from within the community itself. This points to a deep truth: God's presence and responsiveness are directly linked to the dismantling of internal injustices and cruel judgments, like "pointing the finger" in scorn.
The prophet Isaiah has just exposed the people's fasting as a hollow religious performance, devoid of true righteousness and compassion. He's contrasted their empty rituals with God's desired fast: liberating the oppressed, sharing with the hungry, and clothing the needy. This verse then reveals the direct consequence of embracing this true fast: God's immediate and attentive response to their cries.
The prophet Isaiah has just exposed the people's fasting as a hollow religious performance, devoid of true righteousness and compassion. He's contrasted their empty rituals with God's desired fast: liberating the oppressed, sharing with the hungry, and clothing the needy. This verse then reveals the direct consequence of embracing this true fast: God's immediate and attentive response to their cries.
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Mid-6th century BC (during exile)— this verse
Exilic Community's Condition
The people of Judah are in exile in Babylon, grappling with their identity, faith, and the reasons for their catastrophe. Many likely practiced religious rituals with a sense of alienation and despair.
c. 538 BC
Return from Exile
Following the Persian conquest of Babylon, Cyrus the Great allows the exiled Jews to return to Judah and rebuild the Temple. This marks a new era of hope and reconstruction.
"Then you shall call, and the LORD will answer; you shall cry, and he will say, ‘Here I am.’ If you take away the yoke from your midst, the pointing of the finger, and speaking wickedness," — The promise of God's immediate answer—"Here I am!"—isn't just about prayer in general, but specifically follows the act of removing oppressive "yokes," not just from others, but from within the commu…
