ISAIAH CHAPTER 51 Abraham our pattern to trust in Christ; in his promises, and righteous salvation: this is constant, but men are transitory, ISAIAH 51:1. A prayer of the godly in affliction, ISAIAH 51:9. The Lord's answer, ISAIAH 51:12. He bewaileth Jerusalem, ISAIAH 51:17. The bitter cup taken fro... [ Continue Reading ]
I CALLED HIM from his own country and kindred to follow me to an unknown land, where I promised that I would multiply and bless him, as is particularly explained, GENESIS 12:1. ALONE, Heb. _one_; either, 1. Him only of all his kindred; for though he carried some few of them with him, yet I called n... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR: so this comes in as a reason why they should look unto or consider that famous example of Abraham and Sarah, because they should find the like wonder wrought on their behalf. Or, _Therefore_, or for the sake of Abraham, my friend, and of that covenant which I made with him, and by which I promi... [ Continue Reading ]
HEARKEN UNTO ME, MY PEOPLE: seeing the Gentiles will hearken to me, as I have formerly told you, take heed that you Jews, whom I chose to be my peculiar people, do not reject my counsel, nor forsake your own mercies, as I fear you will do. A LAW; a new law, even the doctrine of the gospel, which oug... [ Continue Reading ]
MY RIGHTEOUSNESS; my salvation, as it is expounded in the next clause, the redemption of all my people, both Jews and Gentiles, which is the effect of his _righteousness_; either his justice, or his faithfulness, or his mercy and goodness; for all these are called by the name of righteousness in Scr... [ Continue Reading ]
THE HEAVENS SHALL VANISH AWAY LIKE SMOKE, AND THE EARTH SHALL WAX OLD LIKE A GARMENT; the heavens and earth shall pass away, either, 1. Simply, and by a substantial corruption or annihilation, which is yet to be understood comparatively or conditionally, that these should sooner vanish into nothing... [ Continue Reading ]
THAT KNOW RIGHTEOUSNESS; that love and practise it, as knowing is commonly used. IN WHOSE HEART IS MY LAW; who are tacitly opposed to the carnal Jews that had the law written only in tables. Compare 2 CORINTHIANS 3:3 HEBREWS 8:10. THE REPROACH OF MEN; the censures of the carnal Jews. who will lead t... [ Continue Reading ]
THE MOTH SHALL EAT THEM UP; your reproachers shall be easily destroyed, and so God will revenge your cause upon them, and deliver you from their reproaches. LIKE WOOL; like a woollen garment, which is sooner corrupted by moths or such creatures than linen.... [ Continue Reading ]
AWAKE, AWAKE, thou who hast carried thyself like one asleep, and unconcerned for thy people, and unable to save them. The prophet having foretold what great things God would do for his church, and longing for the accomplishment of them, and knowing that prayer was one means by which God fulfils his... [ Continue Reading ]
ART THOU NOT IT WHICH HATH DRIED THE SEA? art not thou the same God, and as potent now as then thou wast? FOR THE RANSOMED; for thy people, whom thou didst redeem and bring out of Egypt.... [ Continue Reading ]
THEREFORE; or, _So_; Heb. _And_. This verse contains an answer to the prophet's prayer. It is true, I did these great things, and I will do the like again. EVERLASTING JOY SHALL BE UPON THEIR HEAD, like a crown of glory. But for the accomplishment of this magnificent promise we must needs look beyon... [ Continue Reading ]
WHO ART THOU? how unreasonable and distrustful art thou, O my church! how unlike to thyself! how unsuitable in these despondencies unto thy own professions and obligations! OF THE SON OF MAN WHICH SHALL BE MADE AS GRASS; of a weak mortal and perishing creature.... [ Continue Reading ]
AND FORGETTEST THE LORD THY MAKER; and dost not consider the infinite power of that God who made thee, and who will plead thy cause. AS IF HE WERE READY TO DESTROY; as if it were in his power to destroy thee in a moment. WHERE IS THE FURY OF THE OPPRESSOR? what is become of the power and rage of the... [ Continue Reading ]
God is not slack, as you think, but maketh haste to fulfil his promise, and to rescue his captive and oppressed people from all their oppressions and miseries.... [ Continue Reading ]
No text from Poole on this verse.... [ Continue Reading ]
I HAVE PUT MY WORDS IN THY MOUTH; these great and glorious promises which are in thy mouth are not the vain words of man, a weak, and inconstant, and unfaithful creature, but the words of the almighty, unchangeable, and faithful God, and therefore they shall be infallibly accomplished. These words a... [ Continue Reading ]
AWAKE; either, 1. Out of the sleep of security. Or, 2. Out of the sleep of death. Heb. _Rouse up thyself_; come out of that forlorn and disconsolate condition in which thou hast so long been. This sense suits best with the following words. Stand up upon thy feet, O thou who hast fallen, and been th... [ Continue Reading ]
When thou wast drunk with this cup, and not able to go, neither thy princes, nor prophets, nor priests were able or willing to lead and support thee.... [ Continue Reading ]
THESE TWO THINGS; either, 1. Those which were now mentioned: 1. That she was drunk with the cup of God's wrath, ISAIAH 51:17. 2. That she had none to support or comfort her in that condition, Or, 2. Those which here follow, which although they be expressed in four words, yet they may fitly be red... [ Continue Reading ]
THY SONS HAVE FAINTED; they are so far from being able to comfort thee, as was said, ISAIAH 51:18, that they themselves faint away for want of comfort, and through famine. THEY LIE dead by famine, or the sword of the enemy, AT THE HEAD OF ALL THE STREETS; where men enter in or go out of the streets,... [ Continue Reading ]
But with the cup of God's fury, mentioned ISAIAH 51:17... [ Continue Reading ]
THY GOD THAT PLEADETH THE CAUSE OF HIS PEOPLE; who though he hath fought against thee, is now reconciled to thee, and will maintain thy cause against all thine adversaries.... [ Continue Reading ]
BOW DOWN, THAT WE MAY GO OVER; lie down upon the ground, that we may trample upon thee, as conquerors. used to do upon their conquered enemies. See JOSHUA 10:24 PSALMS 110:1.... [ Continue Reading ]