The subject which was introduced in the previous chapter Isaiah 44:28 constitutes the main topic of this. God had there introduced the name of Cyrus as he who was to deliver his people from their captivity, and to restore them to their own land. This chapter is almost entirely occupied with a statem... [ Continue Reading ]
THUS SAITH THE LORD TO HIS ANOINTED - This is a direct apostrophe to Cyrus, though it was uttered not less than one hundred and fifty years before Babylon was taken by him. The word ‘anointed’ is that which is usually rendered “Messiah” (משׁיח _mâshı̂yach_), and here is rendered by the Septuagint,... [ Continue Reading ]
I WILL GO BEFORE THEE - To prepare the way for conquest, a proof that it is by the providence of God that the proud conquerors of the earth are enabled to triumph. The idea is, I will take away everything that would retard or oppose your victorious march. AND MAKE THE CROOKED PATHS STRAIGHT - (See t... [ Continue Reading ]
AND I WILL GIVE THEE THE TREASURES OF DARKNESS - The treasures which kings have amassed, and which they have laid up in dark and secure places. The word ‘darkness,’ here, means that which was hidden, unknown, secret (compare Job 12:22). The treasures of the kings of the East were usually hidden in s... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR JACOB MY SERVANT’S SAKE - (see the note at Isaiah 42:19). The statement here is, that God had raised up Cyrus on account of his own people. The sentiment is common in the Bible, that kings and nations are in the hand of God; and that he overrules and directs their actions for the accomplishment... [ Continue Reading ]
I AM THE LORD ... - (see the notes at Isaiah 42:8; Isaiah 43:2; Isaiah 44:8; Isaiah 45:14, Isaiah 45:18, Isaiah 45:22). I GIRDED THEE ... - (see the note at Isaiah 45:1). The sense is, I girded thee with the girdle - the military belt; I prepared thee, and strengthened thee for war and conquest. Eve... [ Continue Reading ]
THAT THEY MAY KNOW FROM THE RISING OF THE SUN, AND FROM THE WEST - This phrase is evidently used here to designate the whole world. Kimchi says, that the reason why the north and the south are not mentioned here is, that the earth from the east to the west is perfectly inhabitable, but not so from t... [ Continue Reading ]
I FORM THE LIGHT, AND CREATE DARKNESS - Light, in the Bible, is the emblem of knowledge, innocence, pure religion, and of prosperity in general; and darkness is the emblem of the opposite. Light here seems to be the emblem of peace and prosperity, and darkness the emblem of adversity; and the sentim... [ Continue Reading ]
DROP DOWN, YE HEAVENS, FROM ABOVE - That is, as a result of the benefits that shall follow from the rescue of the people from their captivity and exile. The mind of the prophet is carried forward to future times, and he sees effects from that interposition, as striking as if the heavens should disti... [ Continue Reading ]
WO UNTO HIM THAT STRIVETH WITH HIS MAKER! - This verse commences a new subject. Its connection with the preceeding is not very obvious. It may be designed to prevent the objections and cavils of the unbelieving Jews who were disposed to complain against God, and to arraign the wisdom of his dispensa... [ Continue Reading ]
WO UNTO HIM THAT SAITH UNTO HIS FATHER ... - It is wicked and foolish for a son to complain of his father or mother in regard to his birth, or of his rank and condition of life. Probably the idea is, that if a child is by his birth placed in circumstances less advantageous than others, he would have... [ Continue Reading ]
THUS SAITH THE LORD - This verse is designed still further to illustrate the general subject referred to in this chapter, and especially to show them, that instead of complaining of his designs, or of finding fault with his sovereignty, it was their privilege to inquire respecting his dealings, and... [ Continue Reading ]
I HAVE MADE THE EARTH - God here asserts that he had made all things, doubtless with a view to show that he was able to hear their cry, and to grant an answer to their requests. His agency was visible everywhere, alike in forming and sustaining all things, and in raising up for them a deliverer. The... [ Continue Reading ]
I HAVE RAISED HIM UP - That is. Cyrus (see the notes at Isaiah 41:2). IN RIGHTEOUSNESS - In Isaiah 41:2, he is called ‘the righteous man.’ He had raised him up to accomplish his own righteous plans. It does not necessarily mean that Cyrus was a righteous man (see the notes at Isaiah 41:2). AND I WI... [ Continue Reading ]
THUS SAITH THE LORD - This verse is designed to denote the favors which in subsequent times would be conferred on Jerusalem, the city which Isaiah 45:13 was to be rebuilt. It bas reference, according to Lowth, to the conversion of the Gentiles, and their admission into the church of God. Grotius, ho... [ Continue Reading ]
VERILY THOU ART A GOD THAT HIDEST THYSELF - That is, that hidest thy counsels and plans. The idea is, that the ways of God seems to be dark until the distant event discloses his purpose; that a long series of mysterious events seem to succeed each other, trying to the faith of his people, and where... [ Continue Reading ]
THEY SHALL BE ASHAMED AND CONFOUNDED - That is, they shall find all their hopes fail, and shall be suffused with shame that they were ever so senseless as to trust in blocks of wood and stone (see the notes at Isaiah 1:29; Isaiah 20:5; Isaiah 30:5; Isaiah 43:17). THEY SHALL GO TO CONFUSION - They s... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT ISRAEL SHALL BE SAVED - Referring primarily to the Jews in Babylon, but affirming the universal truth that the true Israel (compare Romans 2:28), that is, the people of God, shall be saved from all their trials, and shall be brought to his everlasting kingdom. IN THE LORD - By Jehovah - ביהוה _... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR THUS SAITH THE LORD - This verse is designed to induce them to put uuwavering confidence in the true God. For this purpose, the prophet enumerates the great things which God had done in proof that he alone was A mighty, and was worthy of trust. HE HATH ESTABLISHED IT - That is, the earth. The l... [ Continue Reading ]
I HAVE NOT SPOKEN IN SECRET - The word rendered ‘secret’ (סתר _sı̂ther_) denotes a hiding, or covering; and the phrase here means secretly, privately. He did not imitate the pagan oracles by uttering his predictions from dark and deep caverns, and encompassed with the circumstances of awful mystery,... [ Continue Reading ]
ASSEMBLE YOURSELVES, AND COME - This, like the passage in Isaiah 41:1 ff, is a solemn appeal to the worshippers of idols, to come and produce the evidences of their being endowed with omniscience, and with almighty power, and of their having claims to the homage of their worshippers. YE THAT ARE ESC... [ Continue Reading ]
TELL YE, AND BRING THEM NEAR - That is, announce, and bring forward your strongest arguments (see the notes at Isaiah 41:1). WHO HATH DECLARED THIS FROM ANCIENT TIME? - Who has clearly announced the events respecting Cyrus, and the conquest of Babylon, and the deliverance from the captivity? The ar... [ Continue Reading ]
LOOK UNTO ME, AND BE YE SAVED - This is said in view of the declaration made in the previous verse, that he is a just God and a Saviour. It is because he sustains this character that all are invited to look to him; and the doctrine is, that the fact that God is at the same time just and yet a Saviou... [ Continue Reading ]
I HAVE SWORN BY MYSELF - This verse contains a fuller statement of the truth intimated in the previous verse, that the benefits of salvation should yet be extended to all the world. It is the expression of God’s solemn purpose that all nations should yet be brought to acknowledge him, and partake of... [ Continue Reading ]
SURELY, SHALL ONE SAY - Margin, ‘He shall say of me, In the Lord is all righteousness and strength.’ The design of the verse is, to set forth more fully the effect of the prevalence of the true religion; and the main thought is, that there shall be an universal acknowledgment that salvation and stre... [ Continue Reading ]
IN THE LORD - It shall be only in Yahweh that they shall find justification, and this must mean, that it is by his mercy and grace. The entire passage here, I suppose, has reference to the times of the Redeemer (see the notes at Isaiah 45:21). If so, it means that justification can be obtained only... [ Continue Reading ]