Isaiah 44:13

The carpenter stretcheth out his rule; he marketh it out with a line; he fitteth it with planes, and he marketh it out with the compass, and maketh it after the figure of a man, according to the beauty of a man; that it may remain in the house. THE CARPENTER - Hebrew, The workman in wood. After the smith's work in preparing the instruments comes the carpenter's work in forming the idol. STRETCHETH OUT (HIS) RULE - Hebrew, quav; rather, line (Grotius). HE MARKETH IT OUT WITH A LINE - rather, a pencil (Horsley); literally, red ochre, which he uses to mark on the wood the outline of the figure (Lowth). Or best, the stylus or graver, with which the incision of the outline is made; Hebrew, basered (H8279): cf. the kindred root, saarat (H82...

13._That it may abide in the house. _Thus he shews the folly of such intense application; for their toil brings no other reward than to see their idols resting indolently without motion in the position which has been assigned to them, just, as if a sluggard were crouching over a fire or reclining on a couch....

9-20 Image-making is described, to expose the folly of idolaters. Though a man had used part of a log for fuel, he fell down before an image made of the remainder, praying it to deliver him. Man greatly dishonours God, when he represents him after the image of man. Satan blinds the eyes of unbelievers, causing absurd reasonings in matters of religion. Whether men seek happiness in worldly things, or run into unbelief, superstition, or any false system, they feed on ashes. A heart deceived by pride, love of sin, and departure from God, turns men aside from his holy truth and worship. While the affections are depraved, a man holds fast the lie as his best treasure. Are our hearts set upon the wealth of the world and its pleasures? They will certainly prove a lie. If we trust to outward professions and doings, as if those would save us, we deceive ourselves. Self-suspicion is the first ste...

THE CARPENTER - The axe is made Isaiah 44:12, and the carpenter now proceeds to the construction of the god. STRETCHETH OUT HIS RULE - For the purpose of laying out his work, or measuring it. The word rendered here ‘rule,’ however (קו _qâv_), means properly “a line”; and should be so rendered here. The carpenter stretches out a line, but not a rule. HE MARKETH IT OUT WITH A LINE - He marks out the shape; the length, and breadth, and thickness of the body, in the rough and unhewn piece of wood. He has an idea in his mind of the proper shape of a god, and he goes to work to make one of that form. The expression ‘to mark out with a line,’ is, however, not congruous. The word which is used here, and which is rendered ‘line’ ...

EXPOSITION ISAIAH 44:1 A PROPHECY OF ISRAEL'S SPIRITUAL RECOVERY AND REGENERATION. This section is closely connected with Isaiah 43:1; of which it ought to form the conclusion. The prophet cannot bear to leave Israel under a ban—its spiritual guides "profaned," and itself given over to "reproaches." He must end with a brighter prospect. Accordingly, he holds out, in the present passage, the double hope (1) of the blessing of an abundant outpouring of the Spirit, to take the place of the preceding "curse" (Isaiah 43:28); and (2)

THE CARPENTER STRETCHETH OUT HIS RULE,.... Or, the worker of trees e; that works in wood, or makes images of wood; having cut down a tree, he stretches out his rule or line upon it, and takes the dimensions of it, and measures the length and the breadth of it, as much as is for his purpose to make a god of: and then HE MAKETH IT OUT WITH A LINE; coloured with ochre, or chalk, which leaves a mark, by which he knows where to cut it, and fashion it to his mind: AND HE FITTETH IT WITH PLANES; first with the rougher planes, which take off the knotty and more rugged parts; and then with a smoother plane, makes it even, and polishes it: AND HE MARKETH IT OUT WITH A COMPASS; where its head and body, and legs and arms, and other parts must be: AND MAKETH IT AFTER THE FIGURE OF A MAN; with all the parts and proportion of a man: ACCORDING TO THE BEAUTY OF A MAN; with the face and countena

Isaiah 44:1. _Yet now hear, O Jacob my servant; and Israel, whom I have chosen: Thus saith the LORD that made thee, and formed thee from the womb, which will help thee; Fear not, O Jacob, my Servant; and thou, Jesurum, whom I have chosen._ God cannot bear his people to be sad, he delights to drive away fear, trembling, and mistrust. He loves faith, for faith brings confidence, hope, rest. So he says to us, «Fear not, fear not, be not afraid.» It is God himself, who made us, and who chose us, who says to us, «Do not fear.» Come, dear hearts, lay aside your disquietude, if God bids you cast away fear, will you not do it? Nothing hushes a babe to sleep like its mother's voice. Let God's voice hush you into sweet and blessed calm whenever you are troubled and full of fear. Isaiah 44:3. Fo

CHAPTER 44 Jehovah Continues to Speak 1. _Spiritual blessings promised by the gift of the Spirit (Isaiah 44:1)_ 2. _Jehovah the First and the Last (Isaiah 44:6)_ 3. _Idolatry rebuked (Isaiah 44:9)_ 4. _Remember! Return! Sing! (Isaiah 44:21)_ 5. _The faithful Jehovah, the Redeemer (Isaiah 44:24)_ 6. _Cyrus named (Isaiah 44:28)_ The outpouring of the Spirit upon Israel's seed promised in the beginning of the chapter has not ye

ISAIAH 44:6; ISAIAH 44:21. THE INCOMPARABLENESS OF YAHWEH, WHO REDEEMS ISRAEL. Yahweh of (the heavenly) Hosts (Genesis 2:1 *, 1 Samuel 1:3 *) asserts His uniqueness, challenging any who claim to have foretold the future aright to make their pretensions good. His people need not fear: long ago, as they can testify, He foretold what is now coming to pass. Let them remember the incomparableness of their Master. He blots out their sins as the sun disperses the morning clouds. The prophet adds a short lyric, calling upon all the universe to praise Yahweh, who so gloriously redeems His people....

Isaiah 44:6-23. The Reality of Jehovah's Godhead, evinced by His Predictions, and contrasted with the manifold absurdities of Idolatry The passage, which is merely a restatement of ideas already expressed, consists of three divisions: i. _Isa 44:6-8_. A re-assertion and demonstration of the eternity and sole Divinity of Jehovah. ii. _Isa 44:9-20_. A fresh exposure the most complete and remorseless that the book contains of the irrationality of idol-worship. iii. _Isa 44:21-23_. An exhortation to the exiles to lay these truths to heart, and cleave to the God who forgives their sins and who alone can deliver. Isaiah 44:23 is a lyrical effusion, such as the thought of the redemption frequently calls forth from the prophet....