This chapter is closely connected in sense with the preceding chapter. It flows from the doctrines stated in Isaiah 53:1, and is designed to state what would follow from the coming of the Messiah. It would result from that work that the most free and full invitations would be extended to all people... [ Continue Reading ]
HO - (הוי _hôy_). This word here is designed to call attention to the subject as one of importance. EVERY ONE THAT THIRSTETH - The word ‘thirst’ often indicates intense desire, and is thus applied to the sense of want which sinners often have, and to their anxious wishes for salvation. It is not im... [ Continue Reading ]
WHEREFORE DO YE SPEND MONEY - Margin, ‘Weigh.’ That is, in Hebrew, ‘weigh silver.’ Before money was coined, the precious metals were weighed, and hence, to make a payment is represented as weighing out silver Genesis 23:16. FOR THAT WHICH IS NOT BREAD - The idea here is, that people are endeavoring... [ Continue Reading ]
HEAR, AND YOUR SOUL SHALL LIVE - That is, if you attend to my command and embrace my promises, you shall live. Religion in the Scriptures is often represented as life John 5:40; John 6:33; John 8:13; John 20:31; Romans 5:17; Romans 6:4; Romans 8:6; 1 John 5:12;... [ Continue Reading ]
BEHOLD, I HAVE GIVEN HIM - This is evidently the language of God respecting the Messiah, or of David as representing the Messiah. Rosenmuller supposes that the name David here is used to designate the Messiah, and in support of this appeals to Ezekiel 34:23; Ezekiel 37:24; Jeremiah 30:9; Hosea 3:5.... [ Continue Reading ]
BEHOLD, THOU SHALT CALL ... - This is evidently an address to the Messiah, and is a promise that the Gentiles should be called by him to the fellowship of the gospel. THAT THOU KNOWEST NOT - The phrase ‘thou knowest not,’ means a nation that had not been regarded as his own people. AND NATIONS THA... [ Continue Reading ]
SEEK YE THE LORD - The commencement of religion in the heart is often represented as seeking for God. or inquiring for his ways Deuteronomy 4:29; Job 5:8; Job 8:5; Psalms 9:10; Psalms 14:2; Psalms 27:8. This is to be regarded as addressed not to the Jewish exiles only or uniquely, but to all in view... [ Continue Reading ]
LET THE WICKED ... - In this verse we are told what is necessary in order to seek God and to return to him, and the encouragement which we have to do it. The first step is for the sinner to forsake his way. He must come to a solemn pause, and resolve to abandon all his transgressions. His evil cours... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR MY THOUGHTS ARE NOT YOUR THOUGHTS - Interpreters have differed in regard to the connection of this verse with the preceding. It is evident, I think, that it is properly connected with the subject of pardon; and the sense must be, that the plans and purposes of God in regard to forgiveness are as... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR AS THE HEAVENS ... - This verse is designed merely to illustrate the idea in the former. There is as great a difference between the plans of God and those of people, as between the heavens and the earth. A similar comparison occurs in Psalms 103:11 - For as the heaven is high alcove the earth,... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR AS THE RAIN COMETH DOWN - The meaning of this verse and the following is plain. This refers evidently, as the whole passage does, to the times which should succeed the coming of the Messiah. The hearts of people by nature are what the earth would be without the rains of heaven - barren and steri... [ Continue Reading ]
SO SHALL MY WORD BE - All the truth which God reveals is as much adapted to produce an effect on the hard and sterile hearts of men as the rain is on the earth. IT SHALL NOT RETURN UNTO ME VOID - It shall not return to me without accomplishing that which I intend. AND IT SHALL PROSPER - (See the n... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR YE SHALL GO OUT WITH JOY - This language is that which is properly applicable to the exiles in Babylon, but there can be no doubt that the prophet looks also to the future happier times of the Messiah (compare the notes at Isaiah 52:7). THE MOUNTAINS AND THE HILLS - Language like this is common... [ Continue Reading ]
INSTEAD OF THE THORN - (Compare the notes at Isaiah 11:6; Isaiah 35:1; Isaiah 41:19; Isaiah 42:20). The word rendered ‘thorn’ (נעצוּץ _na‛ătsûts_) occurs only here and in Isaiah 7:19. It evidently means a thorn, hedge, or thorny-bush. SHALL COME UP THE FIR TREE - (ברושׁ _b__e__rôsh_; see the note... [ Continue Reading ]