Isaiah 43:24 - Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible

Bible Comments

Thou hast bought me no sweet cane with money, neither hast thou filled me with the fat of thy sacrifices: but thou hast made me to serve with thy sins, thou hast wearied me with thine iniquities.

Thou hast bought me no sweet cane - for "sweet cane" (aromatic calamus) was not indigenous in Palestine, but had to be bought from foreign countries (Jeremiah 6:20). It was used among the Hebrews to make the sacred ointment (Exodus 30:23). It is often offered as a mark of hospitality.

Neither hast thou filled me - satiated me (Jeremiah 31:14). God deigns to use human language to adapt Himself to human modes of thought. Thou hast made me to serve - though "I have not caused thee to serve" (Isaiah 43:23).

With thy sins. Our sin made the Son of God to become "a servant." He served to save us from servile bondage (Philippians 2:7; Hebrews 2:14-15).

Thou hast wearied me with thine iniquities - though I have "not wearied thee" (Isaiah 43:23; see Isaiah 1:14).

Isaiah 43:24

24 Thou hast bought me no sweet cane with money, neither hast thou fillede me with the fat of thy sacrifices: but thou hast made me to serve with thy sins, thou hast wearied me with thine iniquities.