“Delighting in the lord” Versus “doing your pleasure” : an exegetical study of Isaiah58:13-14

Abstract

Isaiah 58:13-14 seems to give a paradoxical guideline pertaining the manner of observing the Sabbath. While the passage prohibits a person from doing his or her pleasure, it also prescribes calling the day a delight. Hence, the following question arises. What exactly is prohibited and prescribed on the Sabbath according to this passage? This paper seeks to answer this question by clarifying some ambiguous words and expressions found in the text as well as analyzing its literary structure. Also, some theological and practical implications are drawn based on the findings of the research.