The prophet here addresses those whose professions of allegiance to Jehovah are hollow (Isaiah 46:8), and who in the land of exile had in their hearts apostatised: cp. Isaiah 42:17. COME.. WATERS] i.e. are descended from Judah (Psalms 68:26). 3-5. Events of their history had been foretold by Jehova... [ Continue Reading ]
LET THE EXILES TRUST IN JEHOVAH, AND COME OUT OF BABYLON 1-11. Jehovah's purpose will be executed, but not for Israel's merit. 12-22. Let Israel recognise His leading in the course of history, and learn to obey Him.... [ Continue Reading ]
I HAVE SHEWED] RM 'Ishew.'... [ Continue Reading ]
BEFORE, etc.] RV 'and before this day thou heardest them not.'... [ Continue Reading ]
YEA, FROM, etc.] RV 'yea, from of old thine ear,' etc.... [ Continue Reading ]
Read, 'not as silver '(RV). So severe a refining (Psalms 12:6) would have meant the destruction of Israel. CHOSEN] RM 'tried.'... [ Continue Reading ]
DO _it_] i.e. execute My purpose.... [ Continue Reading ]
SPANNED] RV 'stretched out.'... [ Continue Reading ]
A challenge to the heathen, as in Isaiah 43:9. 14, 15. LOVED HIM.. CALLED HIM] i.e. Cyrus: cp. Isaiah 44:28; Isaiah 45:1.... [ Continue Reading ]
Jehovah, unlike the idols (Isaiah 48:14), declared the future unambiguously. AND NOW] i.e. now that the crisis is at hand the Lord has sent His prophet with the message of deliverance. 18, 19. HADST HEARKENED.. HAD BEEN AS] This is the literal rendering, but the passage may be a promise for the fut... [ Continue Reading ]
THY SEED, etc.] Old promises would have been realised (Genesis 22:17).... [ Continue Reading ]
The exiles are bidden to prepare to leave Babylon.... [ Continue Reading ]
The imagery is from the former exodus from Egypt.... [ Continue Reading ]
Those who are unfaithful cannot share the promised peace. The words are repeated almost exactly at Isaiah 57:21. THE SERVANT OF JEHOVAH Isaiah 49:1. The Servant of Jehovah tells of His call and mission. Jehovah confirms the confidence of His servant. 14-26. Objections arising from little faith an... [ Continue Reading ]