What does it mean to "turn away thy foot from the sabbath"?

The picture of turning away your foot points to pulling back from using God’s day the same way as any other day. It means not walking into your usual work, trips, or activities as if the day were common. In simple terms, God is saying, “Do not trample on this day or treat it as ordinary.” Instead of following the normal path of business, chores, and self-chosen plans, his people are called to step back from those things so they can give the day to him in a special way.

What does it mean to "call the sabbath a delight"?

To call the Sabbath a delight means to see God’s holy day as something good and pleasant, not as a burden. It is choosing to enjoy the time set apart for worship, prayer, hearing God’s word, and resting from regular work. This includes saying with your mouth and heart, “I am glad this day is here,” rather than wishing it would hurry by. It is about taking real joy in being with God and his people, and in having space to think about him without the usual distractions.

Why must God’s holy day be different from "thine own ways" and "thine own pleasure"?

God’s holy day is his day in a special sense, so it should not be filled with the same activities that crowd every other day. “Thine own ways” and “thine own pleasure” point to normal work, business, and self-chosen amusement. If those rule the day, there is little room left for worship, quiet, and listening to God. Setting aside our usual pursuits shows that we honour him above profit and entertainment. It is a sign that his will, his word, and his worship come first in our hearts.

What does "nor speaking thine own words" mean in this passage?

“Nor speaking thine own words” means we should guard not only what we do on God’s day, but also what we talk about. The verse points to avoiding normal business talk and worldly chatter that drag the heart back into work and pleasure. Instead, our words should fit the day: speaking about God, his goodness, his works, and his truth. This does not mean forced, stiff talk, but a simple turning of our conversation toward what helps us and others think about the Lord and his ways.

What promise is given to those who delight in the Lord’s day?

The passage promises that those who treat God’s day as a delight will also delight themselves in the Lord. God becomes their joy in a deeper way. He also says he will cause them to “ride upon the high places of the earth,” a picture of being lifted up, kept safe, and honoured. On top of that, he will “feed” them with the heritage of Jacob, meaning they will share in the covenant blessings first promised to their forefather: God’s care, provision, and lasting hope.

What is "the heritage of Jacob" mentioned in this promise?

The heritage of Jacob points to the blessings God promised to Jacob and his children: a place, his presence, and his care. In the passage, it is used as a rich picture of all that God gives to his true people. It includes both present spiritual good, like knowing God and tasting his kindness, and the future hope pictured by the good land Jacob’s family received. Those who honour God’s holy day are told they will be nourished by these covenant blessings, not just given them in name only.

How does this passage show what God is like?

This passage shows that God is holy and also kind. He cares that his day is kept special, not because he is harsh, but because he wants his people to step away from what wears them down and to focus on him. He desires heartfelt worship, not empty habit. At the same time, he ties obedience to generous promises. He is ready to give joy in himself, to lift up his people, and to feed them with lasting blessings. His commands and his kindness walk together here.

How can this teaching about the Sabbath apply to believers today?

Even though daily life looks different now, the heart of this passage still speaks. Believers today can ask, “Do I treat the time set apart for God as special, or just like any other time?” It can mean planning to set aside regular work and usual entertainment so that worship, prayer, and rest have room. It also points to checking our talk and thoughts, choosing what helps us think about God. The promise of deeper joy in the Lord encourages us that this is not just a rule, but a path to blessing.

Why does the passage link delight in the day with delight in the Lord himself?

The passage joins these together because the day is meant to lead us to the Lord, not to stand alone. When we gladly use the day for what God intends, we are placing ourselves where we can see more of him, hear his word, and enjoy his presence. As that happens, our joy shifts from outward things to God himself. So, delight in the day is really a doorway into a deeper delight in the Lord. If the day is empty of him, it will not be a delight for long.

Isa.58.13

Isaiah 58:13

KJV GOD

¶ 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:

Keeping the Sabbath

¶ 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:

Then shalt thou delight thyself in the Lord; and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth, and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.

Cross References

No cross references available for this verse.