For an analysis of this chapter, see the Analysis prefixed to Isaiah 63. This chapter is closely connected with that in its design, and should not have been separated from it. This is one of the many instances where the division seems to have been made without any intelligent view of the scope of th... [ Continue Reading ]
OH THAT THOU WOULDEST REND THE HEAVENS - That is, in view of the considerations urged in the previous chapter. In view of the fact that the temple is burned up Isaiah 64:11; that the city is desolate; that the land lies waste, and that thine own people are carried captive to a distant land. The phra... [ Continue Reading ]
AS WHEN THE MELTING FIRE BURNETH - Margin, ‘The fire of meltings.’ Lowth renders it, ‘As when the fire kindleth the dry fuel.’ So Noyes, ‘As fire kindleth the dry stubble.’ The Septuagint render it: Ὡς κηρὸς ἀπὸ προσώπου πυρὸς τήκεται _Hōs_ _kēros_ _apo_ _prosōpou_ _puros_ _tēketai_ - ‘As... [ Continue Reading ]
WHEN THOU DIDST TERRIBLE THINGS - In delivering the people from Egypt, and in conducting them to the promised land. WHICH WE LOOKED NOT FOR - Which we had never before witnessed, and which we had no right to expect. THOU CAMEST DOWN - As on Mount Sinai. THE MOUNTAINS FLOWED DOWN - (See the notes... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR SINCE THE BEGINNING OF THE WORLD - This verse is quoted, though not literally, by the apostle Paul, as illustrating the effects of the gospel in producing happiness and salvation (see the notes at 1 Corinthians 2:9). The meaning here is, that nowhere else among people had there been such blessin... [ Continue Reading ]
THOU MEETEST HIM - Perhaps there are few verses in the Bible that have given more perplexity to interpreters than this; and after all that has been done, the general impression seems to be, that it is wholly inexplicable, or without meaning - as it certainly is in our translation. Noyes says of his... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT WE ARE ALL AS AN UNCLEAN THING - We are all polluted and defiled. The word used here (טמא _ṭâmē'_), means properly that which is polluted and defiled in a Levitical sense; that is, which was regarded as polluted and abominable by the law of Moses Leviticus 5:2; Deuteronomy 14:19, and may refe... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THERE IS NONE THAT CALLETH UPON THY NAME - The nation is corrupt and degenerate. None worship God in sincerity. THAT STIRRETH UP HIMSELF - The word used here (מתעורר _mit__e__‛ôrēr_) refers to the effort which is requisite to rouse oneself when oppressed by a spirit of heavy slumber; and the... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT NOW, O LORD, THOU ART OUR FATHER - (See the notes at Isaiah 63:16). WE ARE THE CLAY - The idea seems to be, that their condition then had been produced by him as clay is moulded by the potter, and that they were to be returned and restored entirely by him - as they had no more power to do it th... [ Continue Reading ]
THY HOLY CITIES ARE A WILDERNESS - It is to be remembered that this is supposed to be spoken near the close of the exile in Babylon. In accordance with the usual custom in this book, Isaiah throws himself forward by prophetic anticipation into that future period, and describes the scene as if it wer... [ Continue Reading ]
OUR HOLY AND OUR BEAUTIFUL HOUSE - The temple. It was called ‘holy,’ because it was dedicated to the service of God; and ‘beautiful,’ on account of its extraordinary magnificence. The original word more properly means glorious. WHERE OUR FATHERS PRAISED THEE - Few attachments become stronger than t... [ Continue Reading ]
WILT THOU REFRAIN THYSELF - Wilt thou refuse to come to our aid? Wilt thou decline to visit us, and save us from our calamities? WILT THOU HOLD THY PEACE - Wilt thou not speak for our rescue, and command us to be delivered? Thus closes this chapter of great tenderness and beauty. It is a model of af... [ Continue Reading ]