Isaiah 50:4

The Lord GOD hath given me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season to him that is weary: he wakeneth morning by morning, he wakeneth mine ear to hear as the learned. THE LORD GOD HATH GIVEN ME THE TONGUE OF THE LEARNED, THAT I SHOULD KNOW HOW TO SPEAK A WORD IN SEASON TO (HIM THAT IS) WEARY. Messiah, as 'the servant of Yahweh' (Isaiah 42:1), declares that the office has been assigned to Him of encouraging the "weary" exiles of Israel, by 'words in season' suited to their case; and that, whatever sufferings it is to cost Himself, He does not shrink from it (Isaiah 50:5), because He knows that His cause will triumph at last (Isaiah 50:7)....

4._The Lord Jehovah. _After having twice convicted them of guilt, he adds a consolation in his usual manner; for when the Lord covers us with shame, he intends immediately to free us from shame. Although, therefore, he shewed that the people had been rejected for the best possible reasons, and had perished by their own fault, because they proved themselves to be even unworthy of deliverance, yet he promises assistance to them. Again, because in a matter so difficult to be believed there needed more than ordinary proof, he begins by saying that God has sent and instructed him to execute his commands. This passage is commonly explained so as to relate to Christ, as if it had not been applicable to the Prophet, because he afterwards says, that he had been beaten with rods, which we nowhere read was done to Isaiah. But there is no great force in this argument; for David complains that his ga...

4-9 As Jesus was God and man in one person, we find him sometimes speaking, or spoken of, as the Lord God; at other times, as man and the servant of Jehovah. He was to declare the truths which comfort the broken, contrite heart, those weary of sin, harassed with afflictions. And as the Holy Spirit was upon him, that he might speak as never man spake; so the same Divine influence daily wakened him to pray, to preach the gospel, and to receive and deliver the whole will of the Father. The Father justified the Son when he accepted the satisfaction he made for the sin of man. Christ speaks in the name of all believers. Who dares to be an enemy to those unto whom he is a Friend? or who will contend with those whom he is an Advocate? Thus St. Paul applies it, Romans 8:33....

THE LORD GOD HATH GIVEN ME - This verse commences a new subject, and the deliverer is directly introduced as himself speaking. The reasons why this is supposed to refer to the Messiah, have been given in the analysis to the chapter. Those reasons will be strengthened by the examination of the particular expressions in the passage, and by showing, as we proceed in the exposition, in what way they are applicable to him. It will be assumed that the reference is to the Messiah; and we shall find that it is a most beautiful description of his character, and of some of the principal events of his life. This verse is designed to state how he was suited for the special work to which he was called. The whole endowment is traced to Yahweh. It was he who had called him; he who had given him the tongue of the learned, and he who had carefully and attentively qualified him for his work. THE TONGUE OF...

EXPOSITION This chapter seems to be made up of short fragments, which the collector, or collectors, of Isaiah's writings regarded as too precious to be lost, and which they consequently here threw together, though in reality they were detached utterances, and are not even connected in subject-matter. Verses 1-3 are a rebuke to the exiles for deeming themselves wholly rejected, and not rising to the occasion now that deliverance is at hand. Verses 4-9 carry on the account of "the Servant of the Lord" from Isaiah 49:12, further describing his humiliation, and declaring his steadfastness and his faith. Isaiah 49:10, Isaiah 49:11 are an exhortation to weak believers generally, and contain an encouragement and a

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 requires knowledge and experience of their case, a good degree of elocution to speak aptly and with propriety, even to have the tongue of the learned, especially in a spiritual sense; as such have who have learned of the Father, and have been taught by the Spirit of God, and are well versed in the Scriptures, and can speak in the taught words of the Holy Ghost, comparing spiritual things with spiritual; and they have need of great prudence to time things right, to speak fitly and opportunely, and give to each their portion in due season, to whom they minister; and also great diligence and ass...

Isaiah 50:1. _Thus saith the LORD,_ There is always something weighty coming when you have this preface. If God speaks, we ought to hear with reverence, with attention. Isaiah 50:1. _Where is the bill of your mother's divorcement, whom I have put away? or which of my creditors is it to whom I have sold you?_ God is here addressing his ancient people; they had been given up, as it were, left, forsaken. They compared themselves to a wife who had been divorced by her husband, or to children who had been sold by their father because of his extreme poverty. The Lord says, «Now, tell me, have I really put away my chosen people as a man in a pet puts away his wife? Have I really sold you to profit by you? What benefit is it to me that you are carried away captive, and that you a

CHAPTER 50 The Servant Speaks of His Determination and Suffering (Isaiah 50:1 belong to the preceding chapter.) 1. _The cause of Zion's present desolation (Isaiah 50:1)_ 2. _The Servant's self-witness (Isaiah 50:4)_ 3. _His obedience and His suffering (Isaiah 50:5)_ 4. _His victorious triumph (Isaiah 50:7)_ 5. _The two classes: Those who fear Him and those who reject Him (Isaiah 50:10) _ The Suffering One is speaking. Little commen

THE CONFIDENCE OF THE SERVANT IN YAHWEH (the third Servant Song). Here, as in Isaiah 49:1, the Servant is the speaker. Yahweh has given me the eloquence of a disciple that I may know how to answer the godless with upright words. Every morning He imparts instruction to me as to a disciple, nor have insult and cruelty caused me to shrink from the tasks He has set me. Through His help I have not been overwhelmed; upon me, confident that I shall not finally be put to shame, these cruelties have made no more impression than though I had been flint. My vindication is near. Let any accuser come forward and we will submit our case to Him. He will help me who will pronounce me wrong? My adversaries shall perish like a moth-eaten garment. ISAIAH 50:4. The text is certainly corrupt. For SUSTAIN, a gue

THAT. SHOULD KNOW, &C. He spake none other words than those given Him by the Father. Compare the seven times this was asserted by Messiah (John 7:16; John 8:28; John 8:46; John 8:47; John 12:49; John 14:10; John 14:24; John 17:8). WAKENETH. [continually] wakeneth. TO HEAR AS THE LEARNED. to hearken as do the instructe