_GOD, TO CONVINCE THE PEOPLE OF THEIR FOREKNOWN OBSTINACY, REVEALETH HIS PROPHESIES: HE SAVETH BELIEVERS FOR HIS OWN SAKE: HE EXHORTETH THEM TO OBEDIENCE, BECAUSE OF HIS POWER AND PROVIDENCE: HE LAMENTETH THEIR BACKWARDNESS: HE POWERFULLY DELIVERETH HIS PEOPLE OUT OF BABYLON._ _Before Christ 712._... [ Continue Reading ]
HEAR YE THIS, O HOUSE OF JACOB— These verses contain a just and solemn address to the Jewish people; who, though by their profession and external worship seeming to cultivate the true religion, to call God their God, and to depend upon him, yet were obstinately incredulous, extremely inclined to ido... [ Continue Reading ]
I HAVE DECLARED THE FORMER THINGS— The proof is here again drawn from the prediction of casual future events; either because this argument is unanswerable, and adapted to every capacity, or because Isaiah, while he proves the truth of the God of Israel by this argument, at the same time establishes... [ Continue Reading ]
I HAVE SHEWED THEE NEW THINGS— The _new things_ refer to the prophesies respecting the deliverance of the Jewish people by Cyrus, and the consequence of that deliverance. _They are created now,_ says the prophet, speaking of the first revelation of these things. The idea is elegant; for what is reve... [ Continue Reading ]
YEA, THOU HEARDEST NOT— These words may be taken in two senses; namely, as a confirmation of what is said in the preceding verse, that the Jews had no knowledge of these _new things_ revealed to them before the revelation made by Isaiah: or, as containing a conviction of the inconsideration, incredu... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR MY NAME'S SAKE.— _For my name's sake will I moderate my anger, and for my praise I will refrain towards thee,_ &c. Isaiah 48:10. _Behold,_ &c. _I have proved,_ or _had pity on thee in the furnace of affliction. Silver_ is of the most difficult refinement, and requires a hotter and clearer fire t... [ Continue Reading ]
WHEN I CALL, &C.— Nothing can give us a more sublime idea of God than this passage. The idea is taken from servants, who, at the voice of their masters, instantly rise up, and stand ready to execute their commands. The whole creation, at the call of God, arises with prompt obedience, and is ready to... [ Continue Reading ]
ALL YE, ASSEMBLE YOURSELVES— Instead of _The Lord hath loved him,_ &c. we should read, _He whom Jehovah loveth, shall do his pleasure,_ &c. To confirm the faith and hope of the believers in the Jewish church, the prophet here goes on to prove, that the subversion of the Babylonish monarchy by Cyrus,... [ Continue Reading ]
COME YE NEAR UNTO ME— See chap. Isaiah 45:19. _From the time that it was, there am I,_ means, "From the time that this expedition of Cyrus began first to exist:" _And now the Lord God hath sent me, and his Spirit:_ "And now, when the event is hastening to its completion, Behold, I am present, sent b... [ Continue Reading ]
GO YE FORTH OF BABYLON— Hitherto the Son of God had proceeded with reproof, but the most gentle of its kind. In the mean time, the Chaldeans, in this part of the prophetic vision, are supposed to have been conquered by Cyrus; Babylon is supposed to be taken, and the time to be at hand wherein the ca... [ Continue Reading ]
THERE IS NO PEACE, &C.— "There is no peace, no serenity of mind and conscience,—more desirable than every earthly blessing, superior to all conception;—there is no durable prosperity on earth, no eternal salvation, or hope of salvation to the hypocrites, unbelievers and profane, the despisers of God... [ Continue Reading ]