1._Awake, awake. _He confirms the former doctrine, in order still more to arouse the people who had been weighed down by grief and sorrow. These things were necessary to be added as spurs, that the doctrine might more easily penetrate into their drowsy and stupified hearts; for he addresses the Chur... [ Continue Reading ]
2._Shake thyself from the dust; arise. _He explains more fully the deliverance of the Church, and exhibits it prominently by ὑποτύπωσιν _, _“a lively description.” When he bids her “shake off the dust and arise,” let us not on that account think that our liberty is in our power, so that we can obtai... [ Continue Reading ]
3._For thus saith Jehovah. _This verse has been badly expounded by many commentators, who have here chosen to enter into philosophical subtleties; for they have dreamed of many things at variance with the Prophet’s meaning. It agrees with what he had formerly stated, “To which of my creditors have... [ Continue Reading ]
4._Into Egypt my people went down aforetime. _Here also the commentators touch neither heaven nor earth; for the Jews dream of three captivities, and Christians differ from them by thinking that this denotes a third captivity, which shall be under Antichrist, and from which Christ will deliver them.... [ Continue Reading ]
5._What have I here? _He follows out and confirms what I have already said, that it; is not reasonable that he should silently permit his people to be any longer oppressed. By these words he reproves, in some measure, his own delay; as if he had said, “Shall I not stretch out my hand? Shall I not av... [ Continue Reading ]
6._Therefore shall my people know. _In this verse he concludes what he had glanced at in the two preceding verses, that at length the people must be redeemed by God, who cannot be unlike himself; for, if he redeemed the fathers, if he always assisted the Church, their posterity, whom he has adopted... [ Continue Reading ]
7._How beautiful upon the mountains. _The Prophet again confirms believers as to the certainty of the word of God, that they may be fully persuaded that they shall be restored to their former liberty, and may comfort their hearts by assured hope during that hard bondage. He pronounces magnificent co... [ Continue Reading ]
8._The voice of thy watchmen. _He continues his argument; for he shews that there shall be such a restoration of the people, that the messengers shall venture boldly to proclaim it. To _lift up the voice _has the same meaning with the phrase, “on the mountains,” which he formerly employed. (Verse 7.... [ Continue Reading ]
9._Praise ye, rejoice together. _He exhorts believers to thanksgiving, but chiefly confirms them in the hope and confidence of this salvation; as if the actual enjoyment of it already called them to thank God for it. (43) We are not sufficiently moved, when the Lord testifies that he will assist us,... [ Continue Reading ]
10._Jehovah hath made bare the arm of his holiness. _The Prophet has borrowed this comparison from soldiers who stretch out their arms when they make ready for the battle. To “make bare” does not here mean to hold out the naked arm, but to exert it; because, when we sit in idleness, we either have o... [ Continue Reading ]
11._Depart ye, depart ye. _He now exhorts the people to be always ready to set out, and at the same time to bear their misery with patience. As the excessive haste of the people needed to be restrained, so it was also proper to shake off their slothfulness; for, before the time of deliverance arrive... [ Continue Reading ]
12._For not in haste shall ye go out. _The Prophet again magnifies that benefit of redemption, for it appeared to be incredible, so deep was the despair with which almost all of them had been seized; for he chiefly addresses those who would be led into captivity, that they might not lose courage in... [ Continue Reading ]
13._Behold, my servant shall have prosperous success _(47) After having spoken of the restoration of the Church, Isaiah passes on to Christ, in whom all things are gathered together. Some explain ישכיל (_yashkil_) to mean shall “deal prudently;” but, as it is immediately added that he shall be exalt... [ Continue Reading ]
14._As many. _He makes use of an anticipation; for the exalted state of Christ was not visible at first sight, and on this pretense it might be rejected. On this account, he informs them that Christ must first be rejected and humbled, and anticipates that doubt which might have arisen from his singu... [ Continue Reading ]
15._So shall he sprinkle many nations. _Some explain it, “Shall cause to drop,” which they take to be a metaphorical expression for “to speak.” But since נזה signifies “to sprinkle,” and is commonly found to have this sense in Scripture, I choose rather to adopt this interpretation. He means that th... [ Continue Reading ]