ISRAEL'S RESTORATION FROM EXILE IN BABYLON On the authorship and date of these Chapter s see Intro. According to their subject matter, they fall naturally into three divisions of almost equal length (Isaiah 40-48, 49-57,, 58-66), the close of each division being marked by an intimation that the wic... [ Continue Reading ]
WARFARE] RM 'time of service,' i.e. enforced service and hardship: cp. Job 7:1. DOUBLE] i.e. double (ample) penalty (Jeremiah 17:18), in the sufferings of the exile. 3-5. A first voice enjoins preparation for the progress of the great King, who will bring back His people from exile.... [ Continue Reading ]
CRIETH, etc.] RV 'crieth, Prepare ye in the wilderness.' The passage was understood by the Baptist as prophetic of his own mission (John 1:23), and is so taken by thé Evangelists (Matthew 3:3 and parallels).... [ Continue Reading ]
This imagery is from the practice of Eastem monarchs, who thus made roads for the passage of their armies.... [ Continue Reading ]
SHALL SEE] shall see Jehovah's glorious deeds for His people, and acknowledge Him. 6-8. The message of the second voice. Human things must decay: Israel's oppressors are mortal, but Jehovah's promiseissure.... [ Continue Reading ]
HE SAID] i.e. the prophet himself; then in the words following, in reply to his question, a message is put into his mouth. 7. SPIRIT] RV 'breath,' or wind. 9-11. The third voice—the good tidings brought to Zion that Jehovah is approaching in triumph, bringing back His people.... [ Continue Reading ]
Read, 'O thou that teilest good tidings to Zion.. O thou that tellest good tidings to Jerusalem.' 'Thou that teilest'is fem. in Heb. The prophet in spirit sees a maiden, or a company of women (Psalms 68:11) bringing the news.... [ Continue Reading ]
HIS REWARD, etc.] The figure is that of a conqueror bringing the spoils of war. HIS WORK] RV 'recompense,' his redeemed people regarded as the prize of war.... [ Continue Reading ]
The v. indicates in a figure the tender care with which God will support His people on their journey home. Are with young] RV 'give suck.' 12-26. The prophet's object is to show the power of Jehovah to deliver the people from captivity. He emphasises two thoughts: (a) the wonderful order and propor... [ Continue Reading ]
RV 'He that is too impoverished for _such_ an oblation,' etc.... [ Continue Reading ]
SHALL NOT] read the tenses as past (RV). The v. expresses the transitory character of earthly powers in the sight of Jehovah.... [ Continue Reading ]
FAILETH] is missing.... [ Continue Reading ]
The foregoing argument is addressed to a people who had suffered so long, that they thought God had forgotten them, and were despondent. The hope of return is grounded by the prophet upon the fact that Jehovah is the only God, the Creator and Ruler of all things, the Disposer of the fate of nations,... [ Continue Reading ]