| CHAP. XLIII.
a %. 15. al. xiiv. 2.
a1.%4. P53: Degmises to Israel of support, deliverance
out of trouble, and alundant honour and
b 14. xxxv. 9, 10. | increase, 1--7. A challenge to idolaters
xlie. 14. xliv. 6 29 om 24, xiviii.
» liv. 4, 5- ‘ * Iai 12. ait 16 and idols to equal these prophecies, or the X. RV. ° ct. ° le e J, $4, Tits tt miracles wrought by Jenovan for his
Vv ° . e e xliv. & v4 people, 8—13. Predictions of deliverance from Babylon, attended with the ruin of that city ; and of spiritual redemption, 14—21. Heavy charges against Israel, contrasted with the frec-ness of God's pardoning mercy to them, 22—28.
e viii. q—10. xi. 15, 16. Ex. xiv.
29. Josh. iil. 15
‘wel. Ps.ixvi. 10.
12. Am. ix. 8,
9. Matt. vii. 25
=i. Hed. x} COUT now thus saith the Lorp that exi. 10. 4.49 2 created thee, O Jacob, and he that
Dent. xxxi. 6—
8. Josh-i-5 formed thee, O Israel, ° Fear not; for I
477. + 1 have redeemed thee, °I have called chee 3 Cote i.by thy name; “thou a7é mine.
g Bin, ii. 95-27. 2 When thou * passest through the
Mal, ii. &, s.iv. Waters, ‘I will be with thee; and through
they shall not overflow thee:
‘F : 1 Gor, tH the rivers, 33—ss. 1Pet.iv. Bwhen thou walkest through the fire, thou
Condition of the Jews is a warning to all such as oppose the gospel. Who then, among them, or among us, ° will < hearken for the time to come ?” And, seeing he hath thus poured out his indignation on that once favoured people, for their sins; let us lay it to heart, and ‘‘ fear, lest a promise <* being left us of entering into his rest, any of us should be <¢ found to come short of it.” (Note, Heb. iv. 1, 2.). NOTES. CHAP. XLII. V. 1, 2. From the conclusion of the receding chapter, the pious remnant in Israel might have inferred, that the Lord was -about finally to cast off the whole nation.
But he here assures them, that, having created . them, formed them.into a people, redeemed them from their enemies, called them by the name of Israel, (‘‘ a prince of <* God,”’) to be his own inheritance ; he would still shew them special favours: even.as if, by his powerful presence with them, they. should pass through seas and rivers; nay, through raging fires, without harm or danger.
Accordingly, the nation. being preserved through all the ravages of the Chaldean invasion and through the captivity, was again: restored to prosperity ; and followed the destruction of Jerusalem by the Romans, did not consume it; but the Jews have been kept distinct from other nations to this day, notwithstanding thetr disper-sions, and the massacres and oppressions to which they have been continually. exposed.
This isas marvellous an effect of God’s power, as if they had passed through vehement flames unscorched, or dry shod through rivers and seas.—This seems to be the prophetical meaning; a8 a promise it ensures the preservation of true believers, through all possible trials and temptations. —* God’s elect are called ‘« the wark “€ of his hands 3” (xxix. 93. Ix. 213) ‘ and these God will « never: ufferly forsake.’ (Ps. cxxxviii,, 8.)—* It is probable,
ISAIAH.
even the desolations which attended |.
B. C. 706.. | shalt not be burned; neither shall the® S%w!'ts on flame kindle upon thee. 3 For lam the Lorp thy God, "the t's». "suis Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour: *I gave! Be. x. 7. @ hn Egypt for thy ransom, Ethiopia and Seba xl Gs axl ia. is for thee. De 4 Since thou wast “precious in my 22 sight ‘thou hast been honourable, and ¥¢ Vick 9.”
™T have loved thee: therefore will I give’ op hf men for thee, and people for thy *life. rafler ae 9
5 "Fear not: for | am with thee: ° will bring thy seed from the east, and ga- . Rev. i. 9. ther thee from the west: na. “Ser. Sox. to,
6 I will say to the north, Give: up ;, Aco 9 and to the south, Keep not back : P bring: i& 3: 71%4,'% my sons from far, and my daughters 22." izing from the ends of the earth ; | is
1 Even every one that is "called by ss. my name: ‘for I have created him ‘ for. xx
my glory, I have formed him; yea, I xxix. S580
hay de hi eek wi
o Wt. 7. ave made him. . Tea John x. 16. p Jer. iii. 14. 18, 19. Hos. i. 10, 11. Rom.ix. 7, & 25, 2& 2 Cor. vi. 17,
18. Gal. iii. 26—29. _ v ixti, 25. Ixi'j. 19. Jer. xxxiii. 16. Acts xi, 26, Jam. di. 9. Rew. iii, 12. $ 1, xxix. 98. Ps. xcv. 6, 7.¢. 3. John iii. $—7. 2 Cor. v.17. Gal. vi. th.
Epk. ti. 10. Tit. iii. 5—7,. t Ql. xlviii. 11. Ps. 1. 23, John xv. 8 Rom.
ix. 29. is Ge 12, iis 4—~—7e 1 Ret. ii. 9 ive Bl. 14. ° Boh
‘ that many of the promises, here and in the following chap- ‘ ters, relate to the general restoration of the Jews.’ (Lowth,) V. 3, 44 When Egypt was desolated, that Israel might be liberated, Egypt was given-for the ransom of Fsrael. Sennacherib was taken off from besieging Jerusalem, by successful wars against the Egyptians and Ethiopians: and& these nations, when vanquished by Cyrus, might be -considered as a ransom paid him for the release of-the Jews. Or, in general, when the preservation of Israel.required the ruin of any nation, the Lord. readily gave it up for: their sakes.
Before he testified his special regard for them, they were base-and contemptible, but his favour rendered them honour-able among the nations ; and he would persevere in his love, amd continue to give the same proofs of it, as heretofore.— ‘I will not spare any man,. rather than thou shouldest pe~ _ ‘rish.; for.God more esteemeth- one of his faithful, than all ‘ the wicked. in the world.’—** I will give man for thee ;”* Adam in the singular number.
The clause is thus literally rendered in the old version.—‘‘ The second Man,’ (or Adam,). ‘* is the Lord from heaven:” and ‘** God spared ‘¢ not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all.” V.5—7. The Jews were scattered by. the Chaldeans. into different regions ; and Israel were carried by the Assy-. rians into divers lands: these were professedly the sons - and daughters of the Lord, and called by his name ; and the Jews were gradually gathered from their captivity to Jer . rusalem and Judah.
Yet it does not appear that many of them were brought from the wes?,. or the seu/h, on that occasion ; or that they. were generally new created to holi- — ness, and prepared to glorify God, as it is here, implied. . But the conversion of sinners.in every quarter of. the globe, to be through Christ the children of God ; aod the future conversion of the dispersed Israelites and Jews to christianity,’ and restoration to their. awn land, seem to ke-a
- B. €,.708.
Es. ee 3 Cor. ears. iv. 4-6. : \ = xiv. 8, et. Q Let *all the nations be gathered to-
8, 0. Jolin xx.3}.
Cow me, and understand that ‘I am he: before @.Or, th ne
forme of Ged. me there was *no god formed, neither e 3. xii. @. xiv.
ai, #2. Deut. vi. Shall there be after me.
xill. 4. Luke I.
47. i. ti. John , ’ ‘ asso. Tt. side me there is no Saviour.
12 I have ‘declared, and have saved,
is‘ ™-strange god among you: therefore ye are
ian io, au,” My witnesses, saith the Lorp, that I am
g Deut axa. 16.GOd.
hic, mare's. “13 Yea, ' before the day was I am He;
N x ¥ » 9. * k ° iyi . Ps. 5 i isti, 15. Ps, xe and there is * none that can deliver out
2. o a. 1, sar nctrit let it 2 |
14. Thus saith.” the Lorp, your
Heb. xiii. 6.
Rev. §. # k Deut. xxvill. $1. xxxli. $9. Fs | 92. Hes. ii. 10. v. 14. + Heb. turn it back.
{t; 15.29. Prov. xxi. $0. Dan. v.35. Rom. ix. 18, 19 Eph. i. 11. xiv. 27. =m. 1. xliv. 6. hiv. 58. Ps. xix. 14. Rev. v. 9.
predicted. It is undeniable, from the application of the name
of Babylon in the New Testament, that the restoration of the Jews from the Babylonish captivity was typical: of the deliverance of the church from Antichristian tyranny: and, probably, the destruction of the seat of Antichrist will be followed by the conversion of the Jews: as the taking of Babylon by Cyrus preceded their release from captivity ; and that proud city from that time began to decay, till it was ’ $€ swept with the besom of destruction.” —<* I will bring all ‘ the true seed of Israel out of their spiritual captivity, from ‘© all the corners of the world; so as all, that belong to mine « election, shall in Christ be gathered unto me.’ (Bp. Hail.) V. 8—1g. All idolaters and opposers of true religion, whether Jews or Gentiles, seem to be here addressed ; they do not use their faculties and opportunities as they ought to do, but ‘¢ have eyes and see not, ears and hear not:’”’ or the dols, whom they stupidly worshipped, may be meant. Let
all the images and their votaries assemble together, that the |.
cause betwixt God and his rivals might be finally decided. Let witnesses be produced, to justify their idol-worship : which of them could, like JEHOVAH, previously declare his purposes, and predict what first should come to pass? if none of them could do this, let them hear the word of God, and say, that it is truth, and that he alone ought to be worshipped. For the Jews were witnesses for God, and so was his servant the prophet, (or, as some think, the Messiah, ) that he thus predicted future events, and interposed to de- Hiver his people: the whole history of the nation abundantly evidenced these things, and was suited to conyince them that
CHAPTER XLII.°
‘) mighty waters :
11 I, even I, am the Lorp ; and be-yii.st. Mc. ¥. of my hand: 'I will work, and who shall |
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Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel ; " For», +. xiv. «— your sake I have sent to Babylon, and 3445-1, have brought down all the + nobles, and $~',.% 34 the Chaldeans, ° whose cry és in the ships. , 22.2505. xtv.
15 Iam * the Lorp, your Holy One, o% xxii. o— “the Creator of Israel, your King. em.
16 Thus saith the Lorn, which * mak-? #. “ai. 14! te:
xly. We xivili. °
eth a way in the sea, anda path in the 7, ser. ti.
iii. 7. 17 Which * bringeth forth the chariot "sists. siete and horse, the army, and the power; ‘they * 4.74, Par ii shall lie down together, they shall not '%q.S¢ son: i ; “they are extinct, they are quench- ix TAs as tow. wifi, 13. 18 *Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old. , Rev. xi. 12. | 1g Behold ’I will do a new thing; 8-8. xv. 4. now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? * I will even make a way in the wilderness, and * rivers in the desert. Pelsa 20 The beast of the field shall ho-* dea. °vu is nour me, the dragons and the § owls: -be- ai: 12: Jer. xvi cause I give waters in the wilderness, and. s’s.Gor. ui. 1c
13, 1g. Ixxviii, 182° cvi. QO. CONT. s— be Cxxxvi. IS—
15. Jer. XXX1. a5,
t xiv. 20—22.Rer. XIX. 17—l. Xe. xxii, 7,
° ° ° . xiii. g. alvlil. Ge rivers in the desert, ‘to givedrink tomy Jer. xxi. 32 people, 4 my chosen. = xu 610.31. 21 This * people have I formed for my- , kit: +3,
self; ‘they shall shew forth my praise.» G)wam.xx- 11.
6. Num. xx. dle Deut. viil. 15. Ps. ixxviil. 16-20. cv. 4). b xi. 6—10. Ps. civ. 91. cxlviii. 10. § Or,
ostriches. Heh.daughters of the owl. ¢ 19. xii. 17. xbix. 10. lv. 1,2. Jer, xxxi. 9. Joel ili. 18. John fv. to. 14. vil. $7—$9. Rev. xxt. 6. xxii. 17. d ixv. 15. 1 Chr. xvi. 13. Ps. xxxili. 12. Murk xiii. 20, 1 Pet. ii. 9. Rev. xvii. 14. € 1. 7. ix. 2t. bxi. 3. Ps. iv. 3, Cris
18. Prov. xvi. 4. Luke i. 74,75. 1 Cor. vi. 19,20. x. 31. Eph. i, 6—19, tii. 21. Col. i. 16 Tit. ii. 14. Heb. xiii. 15. 1 Pet. ii. 9.
JEHOVAH was the only true God.
None of the false gods. were formed before him, nor could any at all worthy of that. title be ever discovered after him: nay, he alone ts the Lorp, the self-existent God, and there is no Saviour beside him.— When we recollect that Christ repeatedly used the word ‘‘I am,” oy, ‘I am he:” especially when he said, ‘© Before Abraham was, I AM ,” when. we considen how frequently he is called Lord, and God, that he reccived the worship of saints and angels, and-that he is emphatically ‘¢ the Author of eternal salvation ;”” we shall not doubr,. but that he is one with the Father in the unity of the God-. head: otherwise it will not be easy, nay,. possible; to-reconcile those passages in. the New Testament with this. decided language.—J&HOVAH had declared his purposes, wrought miraculous deliverances for Israel, and shewed. future events, when there was no strange god atnong them, to whom the honour could be given: therefore they could testify for him, that he was the omniscient, omnipotent God, But indeed he had been from eternity, and none could de-~ liver out of his hand, or hinder his accomplishing his purposes and predictions.—This challenge would have a pe.. culiar propriety and emphasis, after the deliverance of the Jews from Babylon: but how wonderful will these predic. tions appear to mankind, when they shall see them accomplished in the conversion of the nation of Israel to God our only Saviour, whom they have so long rejected ; and reinstated inthe holy land. a
V. 14—21. The deliverance from Babylon is here primarily predicted: but the language soon becomes so cle-~
B.C. 708.
fixie xw. 22 4 But ‘thou hast not called'upon | = %, De. s.me, O Jacob: but * thou hast been weary
18. Hos. vii. 10
14, xiv. 1, 2 of me, O Israel. ‘2,3
gibi. 23 Thou "hast not brought me the i 5. tt—13,$i, ® small cattle of thy burnt offerings, nei-
° tc. Vi.L 3. - e Ay aal-i. 1st ther hast thou ‘honoured me with thy © Heb. lambs, or, sacrifices. I have not caused thee to h Am. v.95: Mal. serve with an offering, nor wearied thee S. rove av. with incense. sionzecnvi. 24 Thou hast bought me *no sweet k Ex, xxx, 7. 03, CANE with money, ' neither hast thou a. | + filled me with the fat af thy sacrifices: 1 Ley. iii. 16. iv... a ° h + sy? .2-. but ™ thou hast made me to serve wit runt, or, abun- thy sins, thou hast wearied me with thine aay, moisten- : y \ be » UN ea. m i. 14-94, vii. 18, "IG UILICS. ; Ixilt. 10. Ps. xcv. 10. Ez. vi. g. xVie 439. Am. il. 13. Mal. ii. 18.
vated and energetick, that it must refer to still greater events. Israel’s holy Redeemer, out of love to them, sent the Medes and Persians to take Babylon, and-to abase their nobles, (or to destroy the bars of their gates, Marg.) and those who gloried and confided in their ships. Babylon was well situated for navigation, till the channels of the Euphrates and Tigris were purposely obstructed and rendered impassable for ships, after Cyrus had taken that city.
Babylon was, when Isaiah wrote, only becoming considerable ; and the Chaldeans were an obscure people.—JEHOVAH had long ago divided the sea, and destroyed the power of Egypt, to deliver Israel : ‘but these former deliverances would not be worthy of remembrarge, compared with what he was about todoforthem. The deliverance from Egypt was, however, attended with far greater wonders, than the restoration of the Jews from Babylon ; but the redemption of Christ, the conversion of the Gentiles, and the recal of Israel into the church, may well be considered as far more glorious events.
The emblems here used have already been explained. (Nofes, XXX. 29-—-25. XXXV. 5—10. xli. 17—19.)—* The image is « highly poetical. God will give such abundant miraculous ¢ supplies of water, that the wild beasts, &c. which haunt ‘ those desert regions, shall break forth into thanksgiving.’ (Bp.
Lewth.)\—As the Lord forms believers by his grace to shew forth his praise ; so the nation of Israel seems to have been constituted oh purpose, that he might manifest to the world, his justice, power, truth, and mercy, in his dealings with them through every age.—‘* This people have I pur- ‘© chased, (or made peculiarly mine,) that they may shew << forth my praises.” (Sept.) This language so much resembles that of St.
Peter, that it is evident he referred to it in these words, ‘* A peculiar people, that ye should shew *¢ forth the praises of him, who hath called you out of dark- “< ness into bis marvellous light :’’ (Note, 1 Pet. ii. 9, 10. Gr :) including Gentile converts ; yet so, as te predict also the restoration of the nation of Israel: and this shews, that true believers are the Israel to whom these promises are addressed.—(Noves, 5—7.
Ps. c. 3. 2 Cor. ve 17 —21, | V. ga—-25. -The Israelites were always dispostd to forsake the worship of JEHovan, as weary of his service : the lambs, kids, ‘and other cattle which he claimed for sacrifice, were either with-held, or offered in a dishonourable manrer. He had not laid on them such injunctions as could
ISAIAH.
B.C. 708. -
25 I, "even I, am he that blotteth out» thy transgressions, °for mine own sake,’ and "will not remember thy sins.
26, Put °‘me in remembrance:
10 t. we. xik. @2. Ps. li. 9. Jer.
1. 90. Mic. vii. 18, tp. Mark fi.
7. Acts ili. ig. Romy. ~ -
O EXXvii. $5. xlviii.
let us e—10. Ps, z2Y.
plead together: "declare thou, that thou fr."n. 9 1. mayest be justified. "Sal gph ee 27 Thy ‘first father hath sinned, ‘and? xan. ss. Heb.
thy ?teachershavetransgressed against me. 4 Gea. xan ie 28 Therefore “I have profaned the | 1. Job xm.
§ princes of the sanctuary, * and have 2-4 5-F. cx. given Jacob to the curse, and Israel to
$5. Rom. xi. 3b. rg. Job x. 7, &.
Luke x. 29. zr. reproaches. - aver pole: Rom. x.3$. s Num. xxxii, 14. Ps. Ixxviii. 8 cvi. 6, 7. Jer. tii, 25. Ez. xvi. $. Zech. i. ¢
6. Mal. iii. 7. Acts vii. 51. Rom. v. 12, t ili. 12. xxvii. 7.1vi. 10—12. Jer. ve 91. extn. ll—15, Lamy. iv. 1S, 14. EZ. xxii. 25—03. Hos, iv.6. Mic. iiin 11. Mal. ti. 4—-8. Matt xv.
14. xxvii. 1.41. Jobn xi, 49-58. Acts v. 17, 18. t Ach intermetrs. u xivil. 6, 2 Sam.i. 21. Ps. ixxxix. 39, Lam. is. 2. 6, 7. iv. 20. § Or, holy princes. Ps. Ixxxii. 6, 7
x xii. 24, 25. Ixv. 15. Deut. xxviii, 15—20. xxix. 91-23. Ps, Ixxix. 4. Jer. XHI¥. 9. Dan: ix. 18. Zech. viii. 13. Lake xxi. Ql—24. 1 Thes. ii. 16.
injure them: nor would he have insisted on their offerings and incense, if they had not been able-to pay them. But, instead of expending their wealth in purchasing spices, sweet ointments, and oblations for the house of God; they made his kind providence to subserve their iniquities, and even. wearied his patience out by their rebellion.
So that all the mercies, that they had received, and that complete forgiveness which he revealed and promised, (blotting out their sins as acancelled debt, and making no more mention of them than if he had quite forgotten them,) must be allowed to be wholly unmerited ; the fruit of his abundant grace, for his own glory: and not any thing due to them for their good behaviour, but notwithstanding their aggravated provocations. (Notes, i. 1o—15. Ps. 1. 7—15. Jer. vii. 21—29.
Am. v. 21—27.)—The language, however, far more exactly describes the state of the nation, for ages past, in which neither sacrifice nor incense have been offered, and during ~ which it has persisted in obstinate rebellion: and yet, ere long, ‘* for his own name’s sake,” JEHOVAH will blot out their sins, and restore them to his church and their own land. (Note, Ez. xvi. 60-—6g. xxxvi. 24—96.)
V. 26—28. ~ If Israel could deny this charge, let them, remind God of their good works, and plead with him, declaring on what ground they expected to be continued in his, special favour, and to be justified before him. But.indeed their remote ancestors, from Adam to that time, and their high priests, chief rulers, and teachers, especially had combined in transgression: and therefore God had treated them as if they were heathen, notwithstanding their external relation to him and his sanctuary ; .and had given up the nation, as accursed, to be every where reproached, and treated with
‘contempt.—* I have suffered the Babylonians to profane-the
‘ sanctuary, to abuse the chief priests, and pollute whatever ‘ is sacred.’ (Low?h.)—Their king, also, the anointed of the Lord, of David's line, might-be intended. (Marg. Ref.)— The prophecy, however, certainly had its most signal fulfilment in the combination of the high priest, chief priests, scribes, and rulers against Christ; and in the rejected and . disgraced state of the nation, with its rulers and teachers, to thisday. But, as of mere mercy, their national guilt was formerly pardoned, and they were brought back from Babylon ; so the Lord; of the same abounding grace, will bring the nation to repentance and faith in Christ, and glorify himself in blotting out all their transgressions, ;
- ‘ ..than when he hath “4 given his Son to be the propitiation for our sjns :” ‘and though in ourselves we were base and vile, yet this great
B.C. 108. ‘ .) CHAP. XLIV.
JEHOVAH promises to pour out his Spirit on the seed of Israel, and to convert them to himself, 1—5. He declares himself to be the only true and eternal God, and exposes the stupidity of idolaters, 6-20. He calls on Israel to re-
“PRACTICAL OBSERVATIONS. V. 1—13.. < ea
If we are not only called by the name of the Lord our Creator and Redeemer, but ate really partakers of his grace, and aim:to live to his glory ; we can have no just cause to fear any thing, that can befal ourselves, the church or the world. We may meet with hot fires of tribulation and persecution, during our pilgrimage: we may pass through deep waters of temptation, and we must cross the Jordan of death: but the Lord will be with us: and no fire can injure
U8, No waters drown us, with him for our Guard, our Up-holder, and our Comfortér. He hath done far more for us, ve Egypt for the ransom of Israel ; for he
" ransom of the Holy One of Israel our Saviour hath dignified
our species, and shewn the value of our souls: and when the grace of the Holy Spirit manifests that we are precious in the sight of the Lord, and the objects of his special love, weare ehnobled, enriched, and made honourable, as “ kings ‘*¢ and priests unto him.’’ Then, whatever endangers the life of ‘our souls, shall be remoyed; and all that can be wanting shall be supplied: for as, ‘* He hath not spared his *¢ own Son, but delivered him, up for us all ; how shall he ‘¢ not with him freely give usall things ?”” The most powerful princes and enipires are as nothing before God, when compared with his church. For all true believers are ‘* the ‘¢ seed of Israel,’ ‘* the sons and daughters of the Lord Al-
'“ mighty :”’ when he calls, they must be given up, and cannot be with-held by the powers of darkness, from coming to him -from all the ends df the earth: and he will create them’for his glory, to all eternity.—But alas! many, who are favoured with the word of God, are as blind and deaf as the most stupid idolaters, or their senseless images ; and they only use their senses and faculties to ensure their own condemnation!
But none will be more justly brought forth to punishment, than the advocates of false religion in prefer- ‘ence to divine revelation.—Let -the whole world assemble, and endeavour to form such a book as the Bible, if they can: let them match the prophccies which are contained in it, and-fulfilled from age to age, to authenticate its sacred truths and holy precepts: let them produce.their witnesses, aitd see whether they can be justified at the bar of unprejudiced reason, before they appear -before the tribunal of God.
Or, if they cannot do this, let them hear his word, acknowledge its truth, and yield obedience to it. Every servant of
rod is a witness for him, and concurs in the testimony of his prophets and apostles, and in that of his beloved Son : and they all can give such an account of what he hath Wrought in them, shewn to them, and done for them, as May-ténd to lead-others to know, believe, and understand,
s