Bring no more vain oblations; incense is an abomination unto me; the new moons and sabbaths, the calling of assemblies, I cannot away with; [it is] iniquity, even the solemn meeting.
Ver. 13. Bring no more vain oblations.] Vain, because unacceptable, ineffectual, unsubstantial. Epitheton argumentosum, saith Piscator. Lip labour is lost labour, for God is not mocked with shadows of service; his sharp nose easily discerneth and is offended with the stinking breath of the hypocrite's rotten lungs, though his words be never so scented and perfumed with shows of holiness. Hence it is added,
Incense is an abomination unto me,] sc., Because it stinketh of the hand that offereth it. Incense of itself was a sweet and precious perfume, compounded of the best odours and spices. In the incense of faithful prayer also, how many sweet spices are burnt together by the fire of faith, as humility, hope, love, &c., all which come up for a memorial before God, through the merits and mediation of Jesus Christ. Heb 9:24 But it is otherwise with the wicked, whose carnal heart is like some fen or bog, and every prayer thence proceeding is as an evil vapour reeking and rising from that dunghill. Never did those five cities of the plain send up such poisonous smells to heaven, which God, being not able to abide, sent down upon them a counter poison of fire and brimstone.
I cannot away with.] Heb., "I cannot," by an angry aposiopesis; " I cannot" - that is, I cannot behold, bear with, or forbear to punish, as Oecolampadius maketh the supply to be.
It is iniquity.] Or, An affliction, a grievance. as Joh 5:6 Yea, it is a "vexation," as some render the next word - viz., "your solemn meeting."