INTRODUCTION TO ISAIAH 50 This chapter is a prophecy of the rejection of the Jews, for their neglect and contempt of the Messiah; and of his discharge of his office as Mediator, and fitness for it. The rejection of the Jews is signified by the divorce of a woman from her husband, and by persons sel... [ Continue Reading ]
THUS SAITH THE LORD,.... Here begins a new discourse or prophecy, and therefore thus prefaced, and is continued in the following chapter: WHERE IS THE BILL OF YOUR MOTHER'S DIVORCEMENT, WHOM I HAVE PUT AWAY? these words are directed to the Jews, who stood in the same relation to the Jewish church,... [ Continue Reading ]
WHEREFORE, WHEN I CAME, WAS THERE NO MAN?.... The Targum is, "why have I sent my prophets, and they are not converted?'' And so Aben Ezra and Kimchi interpret it of the prophets that prophesied unto them, to bring them to repentance: the Lord might be said to come by his prophets, his messengers;... [ Continue Reading ]
I CLOTHE THE HEAVENS WITH BLACKNESS,.... With gross and thick darkness; perhaps referring to the three days' darkness the Egyptians were in, Exodus 10:12, or with thick and black clouds, as in tempestuous weather frequently; or by eclipses of the sun; there was an extraordinary instance of great dar... [ Continue Reading ]
THE LORD GOD HATH GIVEN ME THE TONGUE OF THE LEARNED,.... These are not the words of the prophet, as Aben Ezra, Kimchi, and others think; though what is here said is applicable to ministers of the word, who have to do with weary souls, and it is their work to comfort and refresh them; and which work... [ Continue Reading ]
THE LORD GOD HATH OPENED MINE EAR,.... To hear most freely, and receive most fully, what is said by him, and to observe and do it: the allusion seems to be to the servant that had his ears bored, being willing to serve his master for ever, Exodus 21:5 which phrase of boring or opening the ear is use... [ Continue Reading ]
I GAVE MY BACK TO THE SMITERS,.... To Pontius Pilate, and those he ordered to scourge him, Matthew 27:26 AND MY CHEEKS TO THEM THAT PLUCKED OFF THE HAIR; of the beard; which, is painful, so a great indignity and affront. The Septuagint renders it, "and my cheeks to blows"; εις ραπισματα, a word use... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR THE LORD GOD WILL HELP ME,.... As he promised he would, and did, Psalms 89:21, which is no contradiction to the deity of Christ, nor any suggestion of weakness in him; for he is the true God, and has all divine perfections in him; is equal to his Father in power, as well as in glory, and therefo... [ Continue Reading ]
HE IS NEAR THAT JUSTIFIETH ME,.... His Father was "near" him in his whole state of humiliation; he left him not alone; he was at his right hand, and therefore he was not moved; and "justified" him from all the calumnies of his enemies, or the false charges they brought against him, and from all the... [ Continue Reading ]
BEHOLD, THE LORD GOD WILL HELP ME,.... This is repeated from Isa 50:7, Isaiah 50:7; to show the certainty of it, the strength of his faith in it, and to discourage his enemies: WHO IS HE THAT SHALL CONDEMN ME? make me out a wicked person c, prove me guilty, and pass sentence upon me, when thus acqu... [ Continue Reading ]
WHO IS AMONG YOU THAT FEARETH THE LORD?.... Not with a slavish fear of the awful majesty of God, or of his tremendous judgments, or of wrath to come, but with a filial fear, a fear of the Lord, and his goodness, which is an internal principle in the heart, a reverential affection for God, a godly fe... [ Continue Reading ]
BEHOLD, ALL YE THAT KINDLE A FIRE,.... To enlighten and warm yourselves; who, rejecting Christ the Light of the world, and despising the glorious light of his Gospel, and loving darkness rather than light, set up the light of nature and reason as the rule of faith and practice; or the traditions and... [ Continue Reading ]