CHAPTER LVI _Whoever would partake of the blessings of the Gospel is_ _required to be holy in all manner of life and conversation._ _And he that will be so is declared to be accepted according to_ _this gracious dispensation, the blessings of which are large as_ _the human race, without any res... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Isaiah 56:2. _THAT KEEPETH THE SABBATH FROM POLLUTING IT_] _Kimchi_ has an excellent note here. "The Sabbath is sanctified when it is _distinguished in dignity_; and _separated_ from _other days_. 1. As to the _body_, in meat, drink, and clean clothing. 2. As to the _soul_, that it be empty... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Isaiah 56:5. _I WILL GIVE THEM AN EVERLASTING NAME_] For לו _lo, him_, in the singular, it is evident that we ought to read למו _lamo,_ _them_, in the plural: so read the _Septuagint, Syriac, Chaldee_, and _Vulgate_.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Isaiah 56:6. _THE SONS OF THE STRANGER_] The Gentiles. _THAT JOIN THEMSELVES TO THE LORD_] Who shall enter into the Christian covenant by baptism and faith in Christ, as the Jews and proselytes did by _circumcision_. _TO SERVE HIM_] To live according to the Gospel, and ever do that which is... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Isaiah 56:7. SHALL BE _ACCEPTED_] A word is here lost out of the text: it is supplied from the _Septuagint_, יהיו yihyu, εσονται, "they shall be." - _Houbigant_.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Isaiah 56:9. _ALL YE BEASTS OF THE FIELD_] Here manifestly begins a new section. The prophet in the foregoing chapters, having comforted the faithful Jews with many great promises of God's favour to be extended to them, in the restoration of their ruined state, and in the enlargement of his C... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Isaiah 56:10. _HIS WATCHMEN_ ARE _BLIND_] _Kimchi_ observes, "The flock is intrusted to the care of these watchmen. The wild beasts come; these dogs bark not; and the wild beasts devour the flock. Thus they do not _profit_ the flock. Yea, they _injure_ it; for the owner trusts in them, that th... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Isaiah 56:11. _GREEDY DOGS_] Insatiably feeding themselves with the fat, and clothing themselves with the wool, while the flock is scattered, ravaged, and starved! O what an abundance of these dumb and greedy dogs are there found hanging on and prowling about the flock of Christ! How can any c... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Isaiah 56:12. _I WILL FETCH WINE _- "Let us provide wine"] For אקחה _ekchah_, first person singular, an ancient MS. has נקחה _nikchah_, first person plural; and another ancient MS. has אק _ak_ upon a rasure. So the _Syriac, Chaldee_, and _Vulgate_ render it. The spirit of this epicurean sentim... [ Continue Reading ]