"This passage describes the appalling moral breakdown of Jewish society--which perfectly accords with what we know of the degeneracy of Manasseh's reign."670
The prophet resumed his accusations against God's people (cf. 58:1-5).
59:1 The people were complaining that God was not answering their prayers (cf. 58:1-3). Isaiah assured them that His silence was not due to His inability to help them (a shortened hand) nor to His disinterest in them (an insensitive ear).
59:2 Rather the problem was with them, not Him. It was their sins that had separated them from their holy Lord (cf. Gen. 1:6; Jer. 5:26; Hab. 1:13; 1 John 1:6).
The evidence to support Isaiah's indictment follows.
59:3 Violence and bloodshed among God's people was one sign of their sinfulness. Lies and deception were another.
59:4 Justice was not coming out of the courts, but legal maneuvering and loopholes had taken the place of straightforward decisions. The people were using and abusing the legal system for their own ends rather than allowing it to sit in judgment on their actions. They were trying to confuse the issues and lie their way out of their responsibilities. Instead of conceiving the truth that would issue in righteousness, they were conceiving mischief that would result in iniquity (cf. Job 15:35; James 1:15).
59:5-6 The results of such a society are serpents eggs and spider webs. Instead of receiving nourishment from the eggs, the eggs either poison or, if opened, fatally attack the eater. Instead of receiving warmth from the beautifully woven web, the web fails to clothe and instead entangles its wearer. This was because the work the people expended to secure food and clothing was self-centered. People even resorted to physical violence to get what they wanted for themselves. Such a society promises much but delivers little, and what it does deliver turns around and kills it.
59:7-8 Instead of running from evil, God's people were running to it, even hastily shedding innocent blood to secure their ends (cf. Rom. 3:15-17). Again Isaiah used "way"to describe the moral life. Their hands and feet only manifested what was in their hearts, however. Their imaginations and thought processes were corrupt. All human ways are utterly futile apart from the Lord's intervention.
"His highways are peace and redemption (11:16; 19:23; 35:8; 40:3; 49:11; 62:10), but the human highways are destruction and confusion (7:3; 33:8; 36:2; 59:7). In his way there is guidance and confidence (2:3; 30:12), but in our ways there is discord and strife (3:12; 8:11; 57:17; 65:2)."671
