_Hearken unto me_, &c. Here again he addresses his discourse to the believing and godly Jews, whom he describes as _following after righteousness_ That is, earnestly desiring and diligently pursuing the justification of their persons, the sanctification of their nature, and practical obedience to Go... [ Continue Reading ]
_For_, &c. The prophet, in these words, seems to be giving a reason why they should look unto, or consider, that famous example of Abraham and Sarah; namely, because they should find the like wonder wrought on their behalf. Or the meaning may be, _therefore_, for the sake of Abraham and of that cove... [ Continue Reading ]
_Hearken unto me, my people_ Ye Jews, whom I chose to be my peculiar people, do not reject my counsel, which, I have told you, even the Gentiles will receive, nor forsake the mercies of which even they will partake. _For a law shall proceed from me_ A new law, even the doctrine of the gospel. _I wil... [ Continue Reading ]
_Lift up your eyes to the heavens_ Look up to the visible heavens above, which have continued hitherto, and seem likely to continue; _and look upon the earth beneath_ Which seems as firmly established as if it would endure for ever. _The heavens shall vanish away like smoke_ Which soon spends itself... [ Continue Reading ]
_Hearken, ye that know righteousness_ Who not only understand, but love and practise it; whose persons are justified, whose nature is renewed, and whose lives are subject to my laws. These seem to be distinguished from those who are spoken of (Isa 51:1) as following after righteousness. These had at... [ Continue Reading ]
_Awake, awake_, &c. The prophet, by an elegant figure, addresses himself to God, to stir up and exert his power in behalf of his oppressed people, as he did in former times, when he delivered them out of the Egyptian bondage. _Awake, as in the ancient days_ That is, act for us now as thou didst for... [ Continue Reading ]
_I, even I, am he that comforteth you_ “They prayed,” says Henry, “for the operations of his power: he answers them with the consolations of his grace; which may well be accepted as an equivalent. _I, even I_, he says, will do it: he had ordered his ministers to do it, chap. 40:1; but, because they... [ Continue Reading ]
_The captive exile hasteneth that he may be loosed_ From his captivity, and may return to his own country from which he is banished. _And that he should not die in the pit_ Die a prisoner, through the inconveniences and hardships of his confinement; _nor that his bread should fail_ The bread or prov... [ Continue Reading ]
_Awake, awake_ God having awoke and arisen for the comfort of his people, here calls on them to awake, as afterward, Isaiah 52:1. This is a call to awake, not so much out of the sleep of sin though that also was necessary, in order to their being ready for deliverance, as out of the stupor of despon... [ Continue Reading ]
_There is none to guide her_, &c. When thou wast drunk with this cup, and couldest not direct or support thy steps, neither thy princes, nor prophets, nor priests, were able or willing to lead or uphold thee. _These two things are come upon thee_ Those here following, which, although they be express... [ Continue Reading ]
_Hear, thou drunken, but not with wine_ But with the cup of God's fury, mentioned Isaiah 51:17. _Thus saith the Lord_ That is, _Jehovah;_ he that is able to help thee, and hath wherewithal to relieve thee; _thy Lord_ That hath an incontestable right to thee, and will not alienate it; _thy God_ In co... [ Continue Reading ]