Chapter LIV
8,5). violence i.e.,tvrong. 10. Transition from His humiliation to ilis exaltation, pleased tUe Lord—tlie secret of His sujl'erings. They were voluntarily borne by Messiah, In order tiiat tliereby He might "do ,/e/iODa/t's will" (John(j.3S; Hebrews 10.7,9), as to man's redeniptiou; so at the end .of tlie verse, "the pleasure of Die Lord shall prosper in His hand." toiiiise—(see u. 5); Genesis 3. 15, was liereby fulriUed, though the Hebrew word for " bruise," there, is not the one used here. The word "Himself," in Matthew, implies a personal bearing on Himself of our maladies, spiritual and physical, which included as a consequence His ministration to our bodily ailments : these latter are the reverse side of sin ; His bearing on Him our spiritual malady involved with It His bearing sympathetically, and healing, the outward: which is its fruits and its type. Hengstenbekg riglitly objects to Magee's translation, "taken away," instead of "borne;" that the parallelism to "carried" would be destroyed. Besides the Hebrew word elsewhere, when connected with sin, means to bear it and its punislimeut (Ezekiel 18. 20). Matthew, elsewhere, also sets forth His vicarious atonement (Matthew 20. when tliou, &c.—rather, as Margin, "when His soul (j. e.. He) shall have made an oH'ering," &c. In Jinglish Version the change of person is harsli : from Jehovah, addressed in the second person {v. 10), to Jehovah speaking in the tirst person in v. 11. Mm-gin rightly makes the prophet in tlie name of Jehovah Himself to speak in this verse, offering for siii—(Roiijaus 3. 25;
Ver. .1-17. The Fkuit of Me.ssiah's Suffekings, and OF Israel's final Penite>-ce at her ha.st Unbelief (ch.53. 6): Her jovful Restoration and liNLARGEjiENT BY Jehovah, whose Wrath was MOME^rARY, but His Kindness everlasting. Israel converted is compared to a' wife (v. 5; ch. 02. 5) put away for unfaithfulness, but now forgiven and taken home again. The converted Gentiles are represented as a new progeny of the long-forsaken but now restored wife. The pre-eminence of the Hebrew Church as the mother Church of Christendom is the leading idea; the conversion of the Gentiles is mentioned only as part of her felicity. [HoRSLEY.] 1. Sing— for joy (Zephaniah 3. 14). barren—the Jewish Church once forsaken by God, and therefore during that time destitute of spiritual children {v. 6). didst not bear—during the Babylonian exile primarily. Secondarily, and chiefly, during Israel's present dispei'sion. tUe ciiildrcn — the Gentiles adopted by special grace into the original Church
(y. 3; ch. 49. 20,21). than . . . mai-ried wife—than were her spiritual children, when Israel was' still a married wife (under the law, before the Babylonian exile), before God put her away. [Maurer.] So Paul contrasts the universal Church of the New Testament with the Church of the Old Testament legal dispensation, quoting this very passage (Galatians 4, 27). But the full accomplishment of it is yet future. 2. (Ch. 49. 19, 20; Jeremiah 31. 31-36, 38, 39.) Thy children shall be so many that thy borders must be extended to contain them, curtains—the clotli forming the covering of the tent, spare not—give abundantly the means for the enlargement of the Church
1 John 2.2; 4.10.) liis seed—His spiritual posterity shall be numerous (Psalm 22. 30) ; nay, more, though He must die. He shall see them. A numerous posterity was accounted a liigh blessing among the Hebrews; still more
so, for one to live to see them (Genesis 48. 11 ; Psalm 128. 6). pi-olong. . . days—also esteemed a special blessing among the Jews (Psalm 91.16). Messiah shall, after death, rise again to an endless life (Hosea 6. 2; Romans 6. 9). prosper —(Ch. 52. 13, Margin.) . 11. Jehovah is still speaking, see of tlie travail—He shall see such blessed fruits resulting from His silfl'erings as amply to repay Him for tiiem (ch.
(2 Corinthians 9. 5-7). curds . . . stakes—The more the tent
is enlarged by lengthening the coi-ds by which the cloth covering is fastened to the ground, the more the stakes supporting the tent need to be strengthened ; the Church
is not merely to seek new converts, but to strengthen those she has in the faith. The image is appropriate, aa the tabernacle was the symbol of the old Israeli tish Church
49. 4, 5 ; 50. 5, 9). The " satisfaction," in seeing the full fruit of His travail of soul in the conversion of Israel and the world, is to be realized in the last days (ch. 2. 2-4). ills knowledge — rather, the knowledge (experimentally) of Hini-(3oha 17. 3; Pliilippians 3. 10). my . . . servant Messiah (ch. 42. 1; 52. 13). rigliteous—the ground on which He justilies others. His o\yu righteousness (1 John 2. 1). justify—treat as if righteous; forensically ; on the ground of //(*• meritorious suffering, not their righteousness, bear
(A'ote, ch. 33. 20). 3. break fortli—rather, burst forifi with t/»- crease; thy oflsiDring shall grow, answering to " tliy seed" in tlie parallel clause, thy se^d—Israel and heichildren, as distinguished from "the Gentiles." desolate cities of Israel (ch. 44. 26). 4. (Ch. 41. 10, 14.) shame of youthIsrael's unfaithfulness as wife of Jehovah, almost from her
earliest history, reproach of widowhood— Lsrael's punishment in her consequent dismissal from God ami barrenness of spiritual children.in. Babylon and lier present dispersion (y. 1; ch. 49. 21; Jeremiali 3. 21, 25; 31. J9; Hosea "2.
. .'. iniquities— (u. 4,6), as the sinner's substitute. 1;J. divide—as a conqueror dividing the spoil after a victory (Psalm 2. 8; Luke 11. 22). him—for Him. witli . . . miglity —Hengstenbekg translates, " I will give Him the mighty
2-5). 5. (Ch. 62. 5; Jeremiah 3. 14.) That God was Israel's "Maker," both as individuals and as the tlieqcratic kingdom, is the pledge of assurance that He will be her Redeemer (ch. 43. 1-3;. Hebrew, "makers . . . ?nisbands:" plural for singular, to denote e.xcelleucy. of_ Israel . . . whole earth—Not until He manifests Himself as God of Israel sliall He appear Gotl of tlie wlwle earlli (Psalm
for a portion:" so LXX. But the parallel clause, "with the strong," favours English Version. His triumphs .shall be not merely among the few and weak, but among the many and mighty, spoil . . . strong—(Colossians 2. 15;
of. Proverbs 10.19.) "With the great; with the mighty," may mean, as a great and mighty hero, poured out . . . 80ul i. e.. His life, which was considered as residing in the blood (Leviticus 17. 11; Romans 3. 25). numbered
102. 13, 15, 16; Zochariah 14. 5, 9). 6. called1. e., recalled:
tlie prophetic past for the future, forsaken— that had been forsaken, when thou—or, " when i/ie was rejected :" one who had been a wife of youtli (K/.ckiel 16. 8, 22, 60; Jeremiah 2. 2) at the time wlieii (thou, or) she was rejected
tvitli, &c.—not that He was a transgressor, but was treated as sucli, when crucified with thieves (Mark 15. 28; Luke
for infldelity. [Maurer.] "A wil'e of youth, but afterwards rejected." [Lowth.] 7. litUe moment—as compared with Israel's coming long prosperity (ch. 26. 20; 00. 10). So
22.37). made intercession, &c.—This office He began on the cross (Ijuke 23.34), and now continues in heaven (ch.
59. 16 ; Hebrews 9. 24 ; 1 John 2. 1). Understand because before "He was numbered . . . He bare . . . made intercession." His meritorious death and intercession are the cause of His ultimate triumph. Maurek, for the parallelism, translates, "He was put on the same footing with the trijnsgressors." But EnglishVersion agrees better with the Hebrew, and with the sense and fact as to Christ. Maukicu'.s tranxlalion would make a tautology after " He was numbered with the transgressors;" parallelism does not need so servile a repetiXion. "He made intercession
tlie spiritual Israel (Psalm 30. 5; 2 Corinthians 1. 17). gntherthee—to myself from thy dispersions. 8. Inalittle wrath—rather, " In the overflowing of wiatli :" as Prov-
erbs 27. 4, Margin. [Gesenius.] The wraMi, though but "for a moment," was overflowing whilNt it lasted, hid
. . . face—(Ch. 8. 17; Psalm 30. 7.) ci-erla&tlng— in con-
trast to " for a moment." ». 1 am about to do tlie same in
this instance as in Noah's tlood. As I swore tlien that it should not return (Genesis 8. 21; 9. 11), and 1 rfepl that promise, so I swear now to my people, and will perform, my promise, that there shall be no return (ji tlie deluge
for," itc, answers to Uie parallel, "He was numbered with," itc, as effect answers to cause. His intercession
of my wrath upon them. Lowtu, on insufllclent au-
thority, reads (the same will I do now as), " in llie days of Noah." 10. (Ch. 51. 6; Psalm 89. 33, 34; Romans H. 2S.)
for sinners being tlieetl'ect flowing from His having been numbered with them. v 402
Th' Call of the Gentile World. ISAIAH LV. Their Certain Deliverance, Edification, ete.
covenant of my peace—(2 Samuel 23. 5.) The covenant whereby I have made thee at peace with me. ^11. not comforted—by any one ; none gave her help or comfort, lay . . . Avitli fair colours—rather, "lay ... in cement of nermilion." [LowxH.] The Hebrew for "fair colours" means stibium, the paint with which Eastern women painteii tlieir eyelids and eyelashes (2 Kings 9. 30). The very cement shall be of the most beautiful colour (Revelation 21. 18-21.) VZ. windows—rather, battlements; lit., tuns; applied to battlements from their radiated appearance, agates—rather, rubies, carbuncles lit., sparkling gems ; tlie carbuncle when held to the sun becomes like a burning coal, all thy borders—rather, thy whole circuit, consisting oj precious stones. The glory of the Cliurch on ear til, when the Hebrew Church, according to the original design, shall be the metropolis of Christendom. 13. Quoted by the Saviour (John 6. 45), to prove that in order to come to Him, men must be "drawn" by the Father. So Jeremiah 31. 34; Mieah 4. 2; 1 Corinthians 2. 10; Hebrews 8. 10;
bread—(Habakkuk 2. 13.) " Bread of deceit" (Proverbs 20.
17). Contrast tlii« with the " bread of life" (John 6. .32. 35; also Luke 14. 16-20). satisfietli not—(Ecclesiastes 1. 8 ; 4. 8.) hearlcen . . . aud eat—When two imperatives are joined, the second expresses the conseqiience of obeying the command in the first (Genesis 42. IS). By hearkening ye shall
eat. So in ('. 1, " buy and eat." By buying, and .so making
it your (tvvn, ye shall eat, i. e., experimentally enjoy it (John
6. 53). Cf. the invitation (Proverbs 9. 5, 6; Matthew 22. 4). fatness—(Psalm 36. 8; 63. 5.) 3. me . . . live—by coming to -me ye shall live: for "/am the life" (John 14. 0). everlasting covenant—(Jeremiah 32. 40 ; 2 Samuel 23. 5.) with you . . . David—God's covenant is with the autitypical David, Messiah (Ezekiel 34. 23), and so with us by our identification witli Him. sure—answering to "everlast-
ing," irrevocable, unfailing, to be relied on (Psalm 89.
2-4, 28, 29, 34-30; Jeremiah 33. 20, 21; 2 Samuel 7. 15, 16;
2 Corinthians 1. 18-20). mercies of David—the mercies of grace (ch. 63. 7; John 1. 16) which I covenanted to give to David, and especially to Messiah, his antitype. Quoted in Acts 13. 34. 4. him—the mystical David (Ezekiel 37. 24, 25; Jeremiah 30. 9; Hosea 3. 5). Given by God
10. Ifi; 1 John 2. 20. great . . . peace— generally (Psalm
119. 1(5). Specially referring to the peacefulprosperity which
sliall prevail under Messiah in the latter days (ch. 2. 4; 9.
.(ch. 49. 6). witness — He bore witness even unto death
6i. 14. righteousness—the characteristic of the reign of Messiali (ch. 11. 4. 5; Psalm 72. 2, 4; Revelation 19. 11). far from oppression, &c.—far from suffering oppression; "for
for God, to His law, claims, and plan of redeeming love (John 18. 37; Revelation 1.5). Revelation is a "testimony ;" because it is propounded to be i-eceived on the autliority of the Giver, and not merely because it can be proved by arguments, commander— "precep-
tliou Shalt have nothing to fear." 15. gatlier together, &c. i.e.. If it should happen that enemies "gather togetlier " against thee (Psalm 2. 2), they will not have been Sent by me (cf. Hosea 8. 4) as instruments of my wrath
tor." [HoRSLEY.] "Lawgiver." [Barnes.] to the people— rather, peoples. 5. thou — Jehovah addresses Messiah, call . . . run—God must call, before man can, or will, run (Song of Solomon 1. 4 ; John 6. 44). Not merely come, but run eagerly, thou knowest not—now as thy people (so in Matthew 7. 23). nation . . . nations—gradation; from Israel, one nation, the gospel spread to many
(uiiy, it will be with my disapproval); for "whosoever
sliall gather together," &c. (Psalm 59. 3). fall for thy salie — rather, "shall come over to thy side." [Lowth.]
Lit., "fall to thee" (Jeremiah 21. 9; 39. 9). To be fMly ful-
filled to Jerusalem hereafter (Zechariali 14. 16). 16. The worlcman tliat forms "weapons against thee" (v. 17) is wholly in my power, therefore thou needest not fear, having me on thy side, for his work—rather, "by his labour." [Hoesley.] "According to the exigencies of his work." [Maurer.] waster to destroy—(Ch. 10. 5-7 ; 37. 26,
nations, and will do so more fully on Israel's conversion, knew not thee—(Ch. 52. 15; Ephesians 2. 11, 12.) because of . . . thy God . . . glorified thee—(Ch. 60. 5, 9; Zechariah 8.23); where similar hyiguage is directed to Israel, because of the identification of Israel with Messiah, who
27; 4.'>. 1^.) Desolating conquerors who use the " instruments" framed by " the smith." The repetition of the " I" implies, however, something in the latter half of the verse contrasted with the former; understand it, therefore,
Is the ideal Israel (Matthew 2. 15; cf. with Hosea 11. 1; see Acts3. 13). 6. The condition and limitin the obtaining of
tlie spiritual benefits (v. 1-3): (1.) Seek the Lord. (2.) Seek Him whilst He is to be found (ch. 65. 1; Psalm 32. 6; Matthew 25. 1-13; John 7.34; 8. 21; 2 Corinthians 6. 2; Hebrews
til lis : " I have in my power both him who frames arms and him who destroys <7i.e7n (arms)." [Rosenmuller.] 17. toiignc . . . condemn— image from a court of justice. Those who desire to "condemn" thee thou shalt "condemn" (Exodus 11. 7; Joshua 10. 21; Psalm 64. 8; Romans
2.3; 3. 13, 15). call—casting j'ourselves wholly on His mercy (Romans 10. 13). Stronger than " seek ;" so " near" is more positive tlian " while He may be found" (Romans 10. 8, 9). near—propitious (Psalm 34. 18; 14.5. 18). 7. uurighteoua —Hebreio, man of iniquity ; true of all men. The " wicked" sins more openly in " his way;" the " unrighteous" refers %LO the more subtle workings of sin in the "thoughts."
8. 1, 33). righteousness . . . of me— (Ch. 45. 24; 46. 13.) Rathftr (this is) their justification from me. Their enemies would "condemn" them, but I justify and vindicate them, and so they condemn their enemies.
All are guilty in the latter respect, though many fancy themselves safe, because not openly "wicked in ways" (Psalm (^4. 11). The parallelism is that of gradation. Tiie progress of the penitent is to be fi'om negative reforma-
CHAPTEE LV.
Ver. 1-13. The Call of the Gentile "World to Faith the Result of God's Grace to the Jews first. 1. every one—After the special privileges of Israel (ch. 54.) there follow, as the consequence, the universal invitation to the (Jf-ntiles (Luke 24. 47; Romans 11. 12, 15). "Ho" calls the most earnest attention, thlrsteth—has a keen sense of need (Matthew 5. 6). waters . . . wine and milk—
tion, " forsaking his (1.) way," and (2.) a farther step, " his thoughts," to positive repentance, (1.) "returning to the Lord" (tile only true repentance, Zechariah 12. 10), and making God his God, along with the other children of God (the crowning-point; appropriation of God to ourselves: " to ourGoA"). "Return" implies that man originally walked with God, but has apostatised. Isaiah saith, "our God," the God of the believing Israelites; those redeemed them-
gradation. Not merely M/a<er, which is needed to maintain life at all, but wine and milk to strengthen, cheer, and nourisli; tlie spiritual blessings of the gospel are meant
selves desire others to come to their God (Psalm 34.8; Revelation 22.17). abuntlantly -parAon—lit., nuiltiply to pardon, still more than "have mercy;" God's gracious-
(cli. 2."). 0; Song of Solomon 5. 1; John 7. 37). "Waters," plural, to denote abundance (ch. 43. 20 ; 44. 3). no money Yet, ill V. 2, it is said, " ye spend money." A seeming para-
ness is felt more and more tlie longer one knows Him (Psalm 130. 7). 8. For—Referring to v. 7. You need not doubt His willingness "abundantly to pardon" (cf. v. 12);
do.x. Ye are really spiritual bankrupts: but thinking yourselves to liave money, viz., a devotion of your own making, ye lavish It on that "which is not bread," i.e., on idolsjm'hether literal or spiritual, buy . . . without money—another paradox. We are bought, but not with a price paid by ourselves (1 Corinthians 6. 20; 1 Peter 1. 18,
far, though "the wicked" man's "ways," and "the unrighteous man's thoughts," are so aggravated as to seem unpardonalile, God's "thoughts" and "ways" in pardoning are not regulated by the proportion of the former, as mjin's would be towards his fellow-man who ofiVnded him ; cf. the " for" (Psalm 25. 11 ;'Romans 5. 19). 9. (Psalm
19). In a different sense we are to " buy" salvation, viz., by parting with every thing which comes between us and Christ who has bought it for us and by making it our own (Matthew 13. 44, 40; Luke 12. 33; Revelation 3. 18). 3. not
57. 10; 89. 2; 103. 11.) For is repeated from t'. 8. But Maurer, after the negation, translates, " but." 10. The heana 493
Eihcrtation to Holiness of Idfe. ISAIAH LVI, LVII. The Peaceful Death of the Righteous.
3. 15). They shall no longer be confined as proselytes were, to the outer court, but shall be admitted "into llie holiest" (Hebrews 10. 19, 20). a jjlace lii., a hand., than of sons Though the eunucli is barren of cliUdren (v. S), I will give him a more lasting name than that of being lallier of sons and daughters (regarded as a high honour among the Hebrews) (John 1. 12; 10. 3; 1 John 3. 1; Kevelution 2.
of inei), once barren of spirituality, shall bo made, by the outpouring of the Spirit under Messiah, to bear fruits of rigliteousness (eh. 5. 6; Deuteronomy 32. 2; 2 Samuel 23.
4; Psalm 72. 6). snow—which covers plants from frost in winter; and, when melted in spring, waters the earth. •ret«rm;tl» not—void ; as in t'. 11; it returns not in the same sliape, or without "accomplishing" the desired end. bud—geiiiiinate. 11. (Matthew 2t. 35.) Rain may to us seem lost when it falls on a desert, but it fulfils some purpose of God. So the gospel word falling on the hard heart
17; 3. 12). 6. join . . . Lord—{Jeremiah 50.6.) Conditions of admission to the privileges of adoption. 7. Even then—(Ephesians 2. 11-13.) to my holy mountain —Jerusalem, the seat of the Lord's throne in His coming kingdom (ch. 2. 2; Jeremiah 3.17). joyful — (Romans 5.
it sometimes works a change at last; and even if not so,
it leaves men without excuse. The full accomplishment
11.) burnt offerings . . . sacrifices—spiritual, of which the literal were types (Romans 12.1; Hebrews 13. 15,; 1 Peter 2. 5). accepted—(Ephesians 1. 6.) altar—(Hebrews
of this verse, and v. 12, 13, is, however, to be at the Jews'
final restoration and conversion of the world (ch. 11. 9-12;
60. 1-5, 21). 12. go out—from the various countries in which ye (the Jews) are scattered, to your own land (Eze-
13. 10), spiritually, the cross of Cnrist, which sanctifies our sacrifices of prayer and pr.aise. hotise . . . for all people —or rather, peoples. No longer restricted to one favoured people (Malachi 1.11; John 4. 21, 2;j; 1 Timothy 2. 8). To be fully realized at the second coming (ch. 2. 2-4). No longer literal, but spiritual sacrifice, inz., "prayer" shall be offered (Psalm 141. 2; 52. 17; Malachi 1. 11; Matthew 21. 13). 8. Jehovah will not only restore the scattered outcasts of Israel (ch. 11. 12; P.salm 147. 2) to their own land, but " will gather others ('strangers') to him (Israel), besides those gathered" (Margin, to his gathered, i. e., in addition to the Israelites collected from their dispersion), (John 10. 16; Ephesians 1. 10; 2.19). 3. beasts—Gentile idolatrous nations hostile to the Jews, summoned by God to chastise them (Jeremiah 12.7-9; 50.17; Ezekiel 34. 5): the Chaldeans and subsequently the Romans. The mention of the "outcasts of Israel" (v. 8) brings in view the outcasting, caused by the sins of tlK'ir rulers [v. 10-12). to devour viz., Israel. 10. his watchmen—Israel's spiritual leaders (ch. 62. 16; Ezekiel 3. 17). dumb dogs—image from bad shepherds' watch-dogs, which fail to give notice, by barking, of the approach of wild beasts, blind—(Matthew 23. 16.) sleeping, lying down—rather, "dreamers, sluggards." [Lo\Vth.] Not merely «/'fe;)(>i.(7 inactive, but under visionary delimians, loving to slumber—not merely slumbering involuntarily, but loving it. 11. greedy— strong {i.e., iu.satiable) in appelite (Ezekiel 34. 2, 3 ; Jlicah 3. 11). cannot understand—unable to comprehend the wants of the people, spiritually: so v. 10, "cannot bark." look to . . . own way—i.e., their own selfish interests; not tothespiritual welfare of the people (Jeremiah 6. 13; Ezekiel 22. 27). from
kiel 11. 17). led—by Messiah, your " Leader" (v. 4; ch. 52.
12; Micah 2. 12, 13). mountains . . . trees, &c.—images justly used to express the seeming sympathy of nature with the joy of God'speople. For, when sin is removed, the natural world shall be delivered from "vanity," and be renewed, so as to be in unison with tlie regenerated moral world fch. 44. 23; Psalm 98. 8; Romans 8. 19-22). 13.
thioi-ii-emlilem of the wicked (2 Samuel 23.6; Micah
7. 41. fir tree—the godly (ch. 60. 13; Psalm 92.12). Cf. as to the change wrought, Romans 6. 19. brier—emblem of uncultivatlon (ch. 5. 6). myrtle Hebrew, Hedes, from which comes i7ed(M*a7i, the original name of Esther. T.ype of the Christian Church; for it is a /ow?y, though
beaiilifut, fragrant and evergreen shrub (Psalm 92. 13, 14). for a name . . . everlasting sign—a perpetual memorial
to the glory of Jehovah (Jeremiah 13. 11; 33. 9).