Being ignorant in the villages of the art of making decoctions and potions, and of the proper doses of such things, they generally make use of external medicines."- Harmer's Observations on Scripture, vol. ii. p. 488. And in surgery their materia medica is extremely simple, oil making the principal part of it. "In India," says Tavernier, "they have a certain preparation of oil and melted grease, which they commonly use for the healing of wounds." Voyage Ind. So the good Samaritan poured oil and wine on the wounds of the distressed Jew: wine, cleansing and somewhat astringent, proper for a fresh wound; oil, mollifying and healing, Luke x. 34. Kimchi has a judicious remark here: "When various medicines are applied, and no healing takes place, that disorder is considered as coming immediately from God." Of the three verbs in this sentence, one is in the singular number in the text; another is singular in two MSS., (one of them ancient,) h�bj chubbeshah; and the Syriac and Vulgate render all of them in the singular number.

Matthew Henry Commentary

Is. 1:1-9 Isaiah signifies, "The salvation of the Lord;" a very suitable name for this prophet, who prophesies so much of Jesus the Saviour, and his salvation. God's professing people did not know of consider that they owed their lives and comforts to God's fatherly car and kindness. How many are very careless in the affairs of their souls Not considering what we do know in religion, does us as much harm, a ignorance of what we should know. The wickedness was universal. Here in a comparison taken from a sick and diseased body. The distempe threatens to be mortal. From the sole of the foot even to the head from the meanest peasant to the greatest peer, there is no soundness no good principle, no religion, for that is the health of the soul Nothing but guilt and corruption; the sad effects of Adam's fall. Thi passage declares the total depravity of human nature. While sin remain unrepented, nothing is done toward healing these wounds, and preventin fatal effects. Jerusalem was exposed and unprotected, like the huts of sheds built up to guard ripening fruits. These are still to be seen in the East, where fruits form a large part of the summer food of the people. But the Lord had a small remnant of pious servants a Jerusalem. It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed. The evil nature is in every one of us; only Jesus and his sanctifyin Spirit can restore us to spiritual health.

Is. 1:10-15 Judea was desolate, and their cities burned. This awakene them to bring sacrifices and offerings, as if they would bribe God to remove the punishment, and give them leave to go on in their sin. Man who will readily part with their sacrifices, will not be persuaded to part with their sins. They relied on the mere form as a servic deserving a reward. The most costly devotions of wicked people, withou thorough reformation of heart and life, cannot be acceptable to God. He not only did not accept them, but he abhorred them. All this shows tha sin is very hateful to God. If we allow ourselves in secret sin, or forbidden indulgences; if we reject the salvation of Christ, our very prayers will become abomination.

Is. 1:16-20 Not only feel sorrow for the sin committed, but break of the practice. We must be doing, not stand idle. We must be doing the good the Lord our God requires. It is plain that the sacrifices of the law could not atone, even for outward national crimes. But, blessed be God, there is a Fountain opened, in which sinners of every age and ran may be cleansed. Though our sins have been as scarlet and crimson, deep dye, a double dye, first in the wool of original corruption, an afterwards in the many threads of actual transgression; though we have often dipped into sin, by many backslidings; yet pardoning mercy wil take out the stain, Ps. 51:7. They should have all the happiness an comfort they could desire. Life and death, good and evil, are se before us. O Lord, incline all of us to live to thy glory.

Is. 1:21-31 Neither holy cities nor royal ones are faithful to their trust, if religion does not dwell in them. Dross may shine like silver and the wine that is mixed with water may still have the colour of wine. Those have a great deal to answer for, who do not help the oppressed, but oppress them. Men may do much by outward restraints; but only God works effectually by the influences of his Spirit, as a Spiri of Judgment. Sin is the worst captivity, the worst slavery. The redemption of the spiritual Zion, by the righteousness and death of Christ, and by his powerful grace, most fully accord with what is her meant. Utter ruin is threatened. The Jews should become as a tree when blasted by heat; as a garden without water, which in those ho countries would soon be burned up. Thus shall they be that trust in idols, or in an arm of flesh. Even the strong man shall be as tow; no only soon broken, and pulled to pieces, but easily catching fire. When the sinner has made himself as tow and stubble, and God makes himsel as a consuming fire, what can prevent the utter ruin of the sinner __________________________________________________________________

Original Hebrew