A Call to Individuals to embrace the coming Salvation
(i) Isaiah 55:1. A gracious invitation to the blessings of the new
Covenant.
(1) Salvation freely offered to the thirsty. Addressing those who are
engaged in the pursuit of earthly good, the prophet, in the name of
Jehovah, promises them the co... [ Continue Reading ]
_every one that thirsteth_ in a figurative sense, primarily of the
weariness and discontent of exile (cf. Isaiah 41:17; Isaiah 44:3), but
also of conscious need in general.
_come_(lit. "go" and so throughout) _ye to the waters_ The image is
probably connected with Isaiah 41:18, the miraculous fount... [ Continue Reading ]
The invitation. The message of the Gospel its freeness, its appeal to
the individual, its answer to the cravings of the heart is nowhere in
the O.T. more clearly foreshadowed than in this truly evangelical
passage (cf. John 4:10 ff; John 6:35 ff; John 7:37 f.; Revelation
21:6; Revelation 22:17; also... [ Continue Reading ]
Whilst the religious life is a receiving without spending, the worldly
life is a continual spending without lasting profit or satisfaction.
_spend money_ lit. "weigh silver." _your labour_ your EARNINGS (as ch.
Isaiah 45:14).
_hearken diligently &c._ Or, IF YE BUT HEARKEN TO ME YE SHALL EAT
GOOD,... [ Continue Reading ]
The offer of Isaiah 55:1 is summed up in the promise of an everlasting
covenant. see ch. Isaiah 42:6; Isaiah 49:8; and cf. Isaiah 61:8;
Jeremiah 32:40; Jeremiah 31:31-33.
_Incline your ear &c._ The condition imposed is simply the consent and
submission of the heart to the divine will.
_an everlasti... [ Continue Reading ]
_Behold, I have given him_ Better, I HAVE APPOINTED HIM; or, if we
adopt the view (_a_) above, "I set him" (aorist).
for _a witness_ of Jehovah's power and faithfulness (cf. Isaiah 43:10;
Isaiah 44:8).
_to the people_ PEOPLES (as R.V.).
_a leader_ The word _nâgîd_(ruler or prince) is used in 2 Sa... [ Continue Reading ]
(_a_) Most modern authorities hold that the person spoken of in Isaiah
55:4 is the historical David, and that Isaiah 55:4 institute a
parallel between the position he occupied in the heathen world of his
time and that which Israel shall occupy in the future; the thought
expressed, therefore, is that... [ Continue Reading ]
_thou_(Israel) _shalt call a nation &c._ i.e. many a nation (see on
ch. Isaiah 25:3) hitherto unknown to thee.
_because of the Lord &c._ Cf. ch. Isaiah 49:7.
_glorified thee_ Cf. Isaiah 44:23; Isaiah 49:3.... [ Continue Reading ]
The call to repentance, because of the nearness of the kingdom of God.
_while he may be found … while he is near_ in the "acceptable time"
the "day of salvation" (ch. Isaiah 49:8). Comp. further Jeremiah
29:12-14.... [ Continue Reading ]
_the unrighteous man_ lit., "the man of evil" or falsehood.... [ Continue Reading ]
Jehovah's thoughts transcend those of man as much as the heaven is
higher than the earth. The point of the contrast is not the moral
quality of the Divine thoughts as opposed to those of the "wicked";
the thoughts and ways of Jehovah are His purposes of redemption, which
are too vast and sublime to... [ Continue Reading ]
This purpose of salvation is embodied in the word which goes forth
from Jehovah's mouth. The "word" is conceived as endowed with a
self-fulfilling energy (see on ch. Isaiah 9:8); and its silent but
irresistible efficacy is set forth by a beautiful comparison from
nature. The same idea was expressed... [ Continue Reading ]
_return … void_ EMPTY, having achieved nothing, as 2 Samuel 1:22.
_but it shall accomplish_ WITHOUT HAVING ACCOMPLISHED, as in Isaiah
55:10.... [ Continue Reading ]
The joyful exodus from Babylon; this is the "thing whereto Jehovah has
sent" His word.
_and be led forth_ by Jehovah in person, ch. Isaiah 40:10; Isaiah
52:12. Cf. Micah 2:13.
_shall clap_their _hands_ Psalms 98:8; Ezekiel 25:6.... [ Continue Reading ]
The word for _thorn_occurs again only in ch. Isaiah 7:19. That for
_brier_(_s̬irpâd_) is unknown. LXX. renders κόνυζα (fleabane).
All that can be said is that some desert plant is meant. On
_fir-tree_( CYPRESS) and _myrtle tree_, see on ch. Isaiah 41:19.
_for a name … for a sign_ i.e. a memorial to... [ Continue Reading ]