LIV. (1) SING, O BARREN... — The words seem to carry on the jubilant strain of Isaiah 51; Isaiah 52:1, leaving the section Isaiah 52:13 to Isaiah 53:12, as a mysterious episode. inserted, it may be, by the prophet to show how it was that the restoration of Israel and the victory of righteousness ha... [ Continue Reading ]
ENLARGE THE PLACE OF THY TENT. — Interesting parallels are found in Isaiah 33:20; Jeremiah 10:20.... [ Continue Reading ]
ON THE RIGHT HAND AND ON THE LEFT. — Comp. Genesis 28:14. Strictly speaking, the words indicate specially the north and the south, in relation to one who stands looking towards the East. Here, of course, they mean “on every side.” The words that follow have, like others, a lower or material and a hi... [ Continue Reading ]
THOU SHALT FORGET. — The “shame of thy youth,” was the Egyptian bondage, from which Jehovah chose Israel to be His bride (Jeremiah 3:1; Ezekiel 16:1). The “reproach of widowhood” was the captivity in Babylon.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE LORD OF HOSTS... THE HOLY ONE OF ISRAEL. — We note the combination of the two names so prominent in 1 Isaiah. The “Redeemer” in this context suggests the idea of the next of kin (such, _e.g.,_ as Boaz was to Ruth), taking on himself the kinsman’s duty of protection (Ruth 4:4).... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR THE LORD HATH CALLED THEE. — The words find their explanation, perhaps their starting-point, in the history of Hosea and Gomer (Hosea 1-3). The husband has punished the faithless wife by what seemed a divorce, but his heart yearns after her, and he takes her back again. WHEN THOU WAST REFUSED.... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR A SMALL MOMENT. — Historically the words point to the seventy years of exile, as being but a transient interruption of the manifestation of the everlasting mercies. Spiritually they have wider and manifold fulfilments in the history of individuals, of the Church, of mankind.... [ Continue Reading ]
IN A LITTLE WRATH. — The Hebrew has the rhetorical emphasis of rhyme, _bĕshetsheph, guetseph,_ literally, _in a gush or burst, of wrath,_ which, however terrible at the time, endured but for a moment.... [ Continue Reading ]
THIS IS AS THE WATERS OF NOAH. — Interesting (1) as showing the writer’s knowledge of the book of Genesis (see Isaiah 51:2); (2) as one of the few references to the Deluge, outside that book, in the Old Testament. Strictly speaking, Genesis 9:11 speaks of a “covenant,” not an “oath,” but it would be... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR THE MOUNTAINS SHALL DEPART. — Better, “_may_ depart.” The same bold hyperbole is found in Psalms 46:3; Jeremiah 31:36; Matthew 24:35. THE COVENANT OF MY PEACE. — The phrase is taken from Numbers 25:12, and re-appears in Ezekiel 34:25; Ezekiel 37:26. “Peace,” as elsewhere in the Old Testament, i... [ Continue Reading ]
I WILL LAY THY STONES WITH FAIR COLOURS. — The first germ of the idealising symbolism of the new Jerusalem. The language of Tob. 13:16-17, shows the impression which it made on the Jews of the captivity. It takes its highest form, excluding all thoughts of a literal fulfilment, in Revelation 21:19.... [ Continue Reading ]
ALL THY CHILDREN SHALL BE TAUGHT OF THE LORD... — More accurately, _shall be the disciples of Jehovah;_ quoted by our Lord as fulfilled in His disciples (John 6:45).... [ Continue Reading ]
THOU SHALT BE FAR FROM OPPRESSION... — On the assumption of Isaiah’s authorship the words stand out in contrast with his own experience of the “oppression” of Ahaz, of the “fear” and “terror” caused by Sargon and Sennacherib.... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT NOT BY ME... — Another contrast with Isaiah’s experience. The power of Sargon and Sennacherib rested on the fact that they were instruments in God’s hands (Isaiah 10:15; Isaiah 37:26). Against the new Jerusalem no command would be given such as had been given to them.... [ Continue Reading ]
BEHOLD, I HAVE CREATED THE SMITH... — The words assert the same thought. The “axe,” the “hammer,” the “sword,” of the great ravagers of the earth are formed by the great Work-Master, and He would fashion no such weapon against the new Jerusalem.... [ Continue Reading ]
EVERY TONGUE THAT SHALL RISE... — The thought implied is that war comes as the punishment of guilt, and that it is preceded by the “cry” of accusation. Many such cries had risen up against the old Jerusalem (Isaiah 5:7). There should be none such heard against the new. THIS IS THE HERITAGE. — The s... [ Continue Reading ]