Commentary on Isaiah Part 10 (No. F023x)

Chapter 39

¹At that time Mer'odach-bal'adan the son of Bal'adan, king of Babylon, sent envoys with letters and a present to Hezeki'ah, for he heard that he had been sick and had recovered. ²And Hezeki'ah welcomed them; and he showed them his treasure house, the silver, the gold, the spices, the precious oil, his whole armory, all that was found in his storehouses. There was nothing in his house or in all his realm that Hezeki'ah did not show them. ³Then Isaiah the prophet came to King Hezeki'ah, and said to him, "What did these men say? And whence did they come to you?" Hezeki'ah said, "They have come to me from a far country, from Babylon." ⁴He said, "What have they seen in your house?" Hezeki'ah answered, "They have seen all that is in my house; there is nothing in my storehouses that I did not show them." ⁵Then Isaiah said to Hezeki'ah, "Hear the word of the LORD of hosts: ⁶Behold, the days are coming, when all that is in your house, and that which your fathers have stored up till this day, shall be carried to Babylon; nothing shall be left, says the LORD. ⁷And some of your own sons, who are born to you, shall be taken away; and they shall be eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon." ⁸Then said Hezeki'ah to Isaiah, "The word of the LORD which you have spoken is good." For he thought, "There will be peace and security in my days."

Intent of Chapter 39

Merodach-Baladan's Embassy

Messianic Prophecy through Isaiah to Hezekiah (No. 157D)

“Isaiah continues with the matters of the further captivity of Judah to Babylon. When the prophecy of Isaiah 39 was given the sons referred to in verse 7 had not yet been born. Manasseh was born in the third of the added fifteen years of Hezekiah. This is the reason for the text in the Song of Degrees in Psalm 127:3-5 following on from Hezekiah’s Song of Degrees in Psalm 126, and the reference in Psalm 128:5-6 to the comment by Hezekiah to Isaiah in 39:8. Hezekiah’s submission to the will of God was as Eli’s (1Sam. 3:18; cf. 2Kgs. 20:12-19; Job 1:21; 2:10; Jas. 5:10-11).

vv. 1-8 Thus it was revealed that God’s purpose was to send them to Babylon into captivity and from there they would be restored, and the virgin daughter of Zion would go forth from Jerusalem in due time. The details of the captivity are covered in the paper Fall of Jerusalem to Babylon (No. 250B). The reign of Hezekiah was not over a Jubilee at any part of it, or even near a Jubilee. Jerusalem was not captured, nor was it ever again besieged during his reign. Judah remained intact and safe. This prophecy and sign were never fulfilled in his lifetime. The Assyrians were sent back home so that the sign given to him could be fulfilled under Messiah many centuries later. That is why Messiah could not commence his ministry before 28 CE, nor after it. What he was doing was declaring the acceptable year of the Lord and reinforcing the Temple Calendar and declaring that he was in fact the Messiah. That is why he said to his mother at the wedding at Cana: “My time has not yet come”, because it was still in the Jubilee year of 27 CE.

That this was the purpose of the prophecy is revealed in the next chapter. It is beyond doubt that this referred to Messiah, as the texts from Isaiah 40:3-8 are quoted in the Gospels at Matthew 3:3; Mark 1:3; Luke 3:4-6; John 1:23; and 1Peter 1:24. This text refers to the scattering and the gathering of the people.”

v. 2 The tribute paid to Sennacherib (701 BCE) depleted Hezekiah's treasury (2Kgs. 18:14-16) much of which had been derived from Arabian trade (2Chr. 32:27-29).

39:3-4 The Intrigue with the Babylonians prompted the warning by God through Isaiah. The Babylonian system was to be the source of the undoing of Judah (see Dan. Ch. 2 (F027ii).

5-7 re 597 BCE see 2Kgs. 24:10-17.

v. 8 For the Postponement of punishment see also 1Kgs. 21:27-29.

Chapter 40

¹Comfort, comfort my people, says your God. ²Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and cry to her that her warfare is ended, that her iniquity is pardoned, that she has received from the LORD's hand double for all her sins. ³A voice cries: "In the wilderness prepare the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God. ⁴Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill be made low; the uneven ground shall become level, and the rough places a plain. ⁵And the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together, for the mouth of the LORD has spoken." ⁶A voice says, "Cry!" And I said, "What shall I cry?" All flesh is grass, and all its beauty is like the flower of the field. ⁷The grass withers, the flower fades, when the breath of the LORD blows upon it; surely the people is grass. ⁸The grass withers, the flower fades; but the word of our God will stand for ever. ⁹Get you up to a high mountain, O Zion, herald of good tidings; lift up your voice with strength, O Jerusalem, herald of good tidings, lift it up, fear not; say to the cities of Judah, "Behold your God!" ¹⁰Behold, the Lord GOD comes with might, and his arm rules for him; behold, his reward is with him, and his recompense before him. ¹¹He will feed his flock like a shepherd, he will gather the lambs in his arms, he will carry them in his bosom, and gently lead those that are with young. ¹²Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand and marked off the heavens with a span, enclosed the dust of the earth in a measure and weighed the mountains in scales and the hills in a balance? ¹³Who has directed the Spirit of the LORD, or as his counselor has instructed him? ¹⁴Whom did he consult for his enlightenment, and who taught him the path of justice, and taught him knowledge, and showed him the way of understanding? ¹⁵Behold, the nations are like a drop from a bucket, and are accounted as the dust on the scales; behold, he takes up the isles like fine dust. ¹⁶Lebanon would not suffice for fuel, nor are its beasts enough for a burnt offering. ¹⁷All the nations are as nothing before him, they are accounted by him as less than nothing and emptiness. ¹⁸To whom then will you liken God, or what likeness compare with him? ¹⁹The idol! a workman casts it, and a goldsmith overlays it with gold, and casts for it silver chains. ²⁰He who is impoverished chooses for an offering wood that will not rot; he seeks out a skilful craftsman to set up an image that will not move. ²¹Have you not known? Have you not heard? Has it not been told you from the beginning? Have you not understood from the foundations of the earth? ²²It is he who sits above the circle of the earth, and its inhabitants are like grasshoppers; who stretches out the heavens like a curtain, and spreads them like a tent to dwell in; ²³who brings princes to nought, and makes the rulers of the earth as nothing. ²⁴Scarcely are they planted, scarcely sown, scarcely has their stem taken root in the earth, when he blows upon them, and they wither, and the tempest carries them off like stubble. ²⁵To whom then will you compare me, that I should be like him? says the Holy One. ²⁶Lift up your eyes on high and see: who created these? He who brings out their host by number, calling them all by name; by the greatness of his might, and because he is strong in power not one is missing. ²⁷Why do you say, O Jacob, and speak, O Israel, "My way is hid from the LORD, and my right is disregarded by my God"? ²⁸Have you not known? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary, his understanding is unsearchable. ²⁹He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. ³⁰Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; ³¹but they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.

Book of the Consolation of Israel

Considered to be from Chs. 40-55 as a section and no doubt the Revisionists used that sequence for their theories.

Intent of Chapter 40

40:1-11 Announcement of the Coming of the Messiah

Messianic Prophecy through Isaiah to Hezekiah (No. 157D)

“There is no doubt that the reference is to Messiah and the Church – which is the remnant of Zion – and the subsequent gathering.

Judah is without excuse concerning the prophecy and the Messiah.

The actions had to take place from Jerusalem while the Temple stood, and the remnant had to be planted there and then spread throughout the nations from there. The activities had to take place under the Temple Calendar and in the First year of the Sacred Calendar after the Jubilee. The Pharisees and their successors, the Rabbis, could never have been left in control of the Temple as they would have destroyed the Temple Calendar – as we saw after 70 CE – and broken the prophecies.

There is no other person in human history that could have qualified to do all these things in the right timeframe. Christ had to commence his ministry in 28 CE in order to fulfil the sign of Isaiah, as given to Hezekiah. He did that as we know from the NT text.

He also had to keep the Sign of Jonah as the sign of his ministry after he began his mission at the right time, and fulfilled the requirements of Isaiah (see the paper The Sign of Jonah and the History of the Reconstruction of the Temple (No. 013)).

If Christ was not the Messiah, then Judah is lost and without salvation. They do not keep the Sabbaths and the Jubilee and so could never qualify under the conditions of Isaiah to have the Messiah at any time after 28 CE. They were in captivity by the next Jubilee in 77 CE and never again have been obedient enough to keep the Temple Calendar.

The vineyard of the Lord of Hosts is the whole House of Israel, and Judah is his special plant (Isa. 5:7). The text of Isaiah concerns the Messiah and the place he had in Judah. The Gentiles are grafted into Israel, which is now a spiritual edifice not a physical one.”

The background scene is the Council of Heaven of the Elohim from which the voices of vv. 3 and 6 are sent.

40:1-2 Comfort The text refers to the comfort and peace extended from Jerusalem to Israel and the world. This peace is to come with the rule of the Messiah (see also 51:9; 52:1; 57:14).

My people...your God … Repetition of the Covenant phrase (Ex. 19:4-6; Jer. 11:5) (see No. 152). Her warfare refers to Her time of service in the exile and dispersion.

Double refers to the blessings following her punishment for sin following on from the principle in the Law of God (Ex. 22:7-8). God is also subject to the Law as it flows from His Nature.

40:3-5 Quoted in Lk. 3:4-6 (see also Mat. 3:3; Mk. 1:3; Jn. 1:23).

The way of the Lord is common in this section of Isaiah (42:16; 43:16,19; 48:17; 49:11; 51:10).

The text refers to the Messiah who comes to restore God's people (35:1-10).

The Glory of the Lord shall be revealed at the return of the Messiah (Ezek. 1:28; 10:18-19; 43:1-5).

40:6-8 An elohim of the Council as Herald of God declares that the Word of God will stand forever and is immutable (9:8; 55:8-11) unlike all living things (quoted in 1Pet. 1:24-25).

v. 6b See 51:12 n.

40:7 Breath - as the wind of judgment (Jer. 4:11).

40:9-11 The Messianic advent with Messiah as the Arm of God and the elohim of Israel of Ps. 45:6-7. His reward is with him and his recompense before him (v. 10). He will feed his flock and gently lead those that are with young. See Ezek. Ch. 34 (F026ix). See also Acts. 10:36; Rom. 10:15; Rev. 22:7.

Jerusalem Jerusalem used for Judah over 30 times in this section from Chs. 40-55.

Arm, symbol of the power of God used of Messiah as Captain of the Army of the Lord (33:2; 48:14; 51:5,9; 52:10; 53:1; see also Josh. 5:14-15 (F006)).

40:12-31 Creator of the Universe

v. 12 Waters (seas) heavens, earth - The world's three environments or divisions.

40:13-14 God is the source of all knowledge and wisdom (Pr. 8:22-31; Job 38:2-39:30).

40:15-17 Before Him all nations are as nothing and must pay Him homage.

40:18-20 Idols cannot and must not be compared with him (see 42:17; 45:16,20; Jer. 10:1-16).

40:21-24 God the Creator is also Lord of the History and Progression of the Earth (44:24-28; 51:9-10).

Circle...Tent The vault of heaven (Pr. 8:27; Job 22:14).

40:25-27 God as Creator is Incomparable and Omniscient.

Created Job 38:4-7; Gen. 1:1, used here in v. 28; 41:20; 42:5; 43:7,15; 45:7,8,12,18; 54:16.

v. 26 Host of Heaven 3:1.

40:28-31 God Alone is Immortal (1Tim. 6:16). He is Omnipotent and Omniscient and is concerned for man in His Plan of Salvation (No. 001A).

v. 31 Wait in the hope and confidence that God will not desert His people (see also 49:23; Pss. 25:3; 33:20). (see also No. 001).

Chapter 41

¹Listen to me in silence, O coastlands; let the peoples renew their strength; let them approach, then let them speak; let us together draw near for judgment. ²Who stirred up one from the east whom victory meets at every step? He gives up nations before him, so that he tramples kings under foot; he makes them like dust with his sword, like driven stubble with his bow. ³He pursues them and passes on safely, by paths his feet have not trod. ⁴Who has performed and done this, calling the generations from the beginning? I, the LORD, the first, and with the last; I am He. ⁵The coastlands have seen and are afraid, the ends of the earth tremble; they have drawn near and come. ⁶Every one helps his neighbor, and says to his brother, "Take courage!" ⁷The craftsman encourages the goldsmith, and he who smooths with the hammer him who strikes the anvil, saying of the soldering, "It is good"; and they fasten it with nails so that it cannot be moved. ⁸But you, Israel, my servant, Jacob, whom I have chosen, the offspring of Abraham, my friend; ⁹you whom I took from the ends of the earth, and called from its farthest corners, saying to you, "You are my servant, I have chosen you and not cast you off"; ¹⁰fear not, for I am with you, be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my victorious right hand. ¹¹Behold, all who are incensed against you shall be put to shame and confounded; those who strive against you shall be as nothing and shall perish. ¹²You shall seek those who contend with you, but you shall not find them; those who war against you shall be as nothing at all. ¹³For I, the LORD your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, "Fear not, I will help you." ¹⁴Fear not, you worm Jacob, you men of Israel! I will help you, says the LORD; your Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel. ¹⁵Behold, I will make of you a threshing sledge, new, sharp, and having teeth; you shall thresh the mountains and crush them, and you shall make the hills like chaff; ¹⁶You shall winnow them and the wind shall carry them away, and the tempest shall scatter them. And you shall rejoice in the LORD; in the Holy One of Israel you shall glory. ¹⁷When the poor and needy seek water, and there is none, and their tongue is parched with thirst, I the LORD will answer them, I the God of Israel will not forsake them. ¹⁸I will open rivers on the bare heights, and fountains in the midst of the valleys; I will make the wilderness a pool of water, and the dry land springs of water. ¹⁹I will put in the wilderness the cedar, the acacia, the myrtle, and the olive; I will set in the desert the cypress, the plane and the pine together; ²⁰that men may see and know, may consider and understand together, that the hand of the LORD has done this, the Holy One of Israel has created it. ²¹Set forth your case, says the LORD; bring your proofs, says the King of Jacob. ²²Let them bring them, and tell us what is to happen. Tell us the former things, what they are, that we may consider them, that we may know their outcome; or declare to us the things to come. ²³Tell us what is to come hereafter, that we may know that you are gods; do good, or do harm, that we may be dismayed and terrified. ²⁴Behold, you are nothing, and your work is nought; an abomination is he who chooses you. ²⁵I stirred up one from the north, and he has come, from the rising of the sun, and he shall call on my name; he shall trample on rulers as on mortar, as the potter treads clay. ²⁶Who declared it from the beginning, that we might know, and beforetime, that we might say, "He is right"? There was none who declared it, none who proclaimed, none who heard your words. ²⁷I first have declared it to Zion, and I give to Jerusalem a herald of good tidings. ²⁸But when I look there is no one; among these there is no counselor who, when I ask, gives an answer. ²⁹Behold, they are all a delusion; their works are nothing; their molten images are empty wind.

Intent of Chapters 41-42

41:1-42:4 concerns the Trial of the Nations

Intent of Chapter 41

v. 1 The background scene is the Celestial Court of the Elohim where the nations stand trial (see Chs. 41-46 and 48).

Revisionists attempt to assert that the References to the victorious figure from the East refer to Cyrus. However, that East is the direction that Messiah enters Jerusalem and the Temple. It is Messiah that acts at the direction of God and it is God that determines the generations from the beginning (see Ezek. 43:1-2; 44:2 F026xi).

The judgment extends to the islands and the nations associated with them and the nations generally (40:14; 42:4; 49:1; 51:5).

41:2-4 One from the East - Messiah. It is not Cyrus as claimed by Revisionists (see OARSV n.). God did indeed call and name Cyrus to do his work but this text is not concerning him. Victory The Hebrew term implies God's approval.

First...Last 43:10; 44:6.

Alpha and Omega see Rev. 1:8, 11; 21:6; 22:13 (F066v) (see No. 229).

41:5-7 The nations are as powerless as their gods (40:19-22).

41:8-10 Israel, my servant (Jer. 30:10; 46:27-28).

Punished for its faithlessness Israel is to be restored (44:1-5; 45:4; 48:10). There is a different emphasis on “servant” in the Servant Songs (42:1).

41:11-13 The nations are judged. God defends Israel against their adversaries who then are taken into Israel as the Body of the Messiah.

41:14-16 Israel, as the servant under the Holy One of Israel, will thresh the Mountains or nations and they will become one with them.

Redeemer The Hebrew term elsewhere may refer to the Blood Avenger (Num. 35:19) (OARSV n.). Here it refers to Messiah. He was the Redeemer of Israel (43:14; 44:6; 47:4).

Purpose of the Creation and the Sacrifice of Jesus Christ (No. 160)

v. 14 “Now the argument that says that anyone less than God being sacrificed is not good enough strikes at the very power and omnipotence of God. Fear not you worm Jacob. God can determine by what means He will accept humanity and only God can determine that fact. If God wanted mankind to be redeemed by anything, that object would be adequate.”

41:17-20 Classed as a Rhapsody on God as Lord of Nature (55:13; Ezek. 47:12) (OARSV n.).

Holy One v. 16; 1:4; 40:25.

41:21-24 The pagan nations are summoned and challenged to prove the validity of their claims as to the power of their gods.

Former things (46:9) of the historical past to the early phases of the creation or the phases yet to come. The nations have no defence and no power over those aspects.

Here God says that all these aspects and systems have no value and no power to control events and do not exist (43:8-13).

41:25-29 The Second Judgment against the Nations (comp. vv. 11-13).

From the North....the rising of the Sun The first phase referred to the Assyrians (14:31), and Babylonia (Jer. 6:22). These empires spread out into the Last Days. See Daniel Chs. 2 &12 (F027ii, xii, xiii)

v. 29 comp. v. 24; 40:18-20.

Chapter 42

¹Behold my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen, in whom my soul delights; I have put my Spirit upon him, he will bring forth justice to the nations. ²He will not cry or lift up his voice, or make it heard in the street; ³a bruised reed he will not break, and a dimly burning wick he will not quench; he will faithfully bring forth justice. ⁴He will not fail or be discouraged till he has established justice in the earth; and the coastlands wait for his law. ⁵Thus says God, the LORD, who created the heavens and stretched them out, who spread forth the earth and what comes from it, who gives breath to the people upon it and spirit to those who walk in it: ⁶"I am the LORD, I have called you in righteousness, I have taken you by the hand and kept you; I have given you as a covenant to the people, a light to the nations, ⁷to open the eyes that are blind, to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon, from the prison those who sit in darkness. ⁸I am the LORD, that is my name; my glory I give to no other, nor my praise to graven images. ⁹Behold, the former things have come to pass, and new things I now declare; before they spring forth I tell you of them." ¹⁰Sing to the LORD a new song, his praise from the end of the earth! Let the sea roar and all that fills it, the coastlands and their inhabitants. ¹¹Let the desert and its cities lift up their voice, the villages that Kedar inhabits; let the inhabitants of Sela sing for joy, let them shout from the top of the mountains. ¹²Let them give glory to the LORD, and declare his praise in the coastlands. ¹³The LORD goes forth like a mighty man, like a man of war he stirs up his fury; he cries out, he shouts aloud, he shows himself mighty against his foes. ¹⁴For a long time I have held my peace, I have kept still and restrained myself; now I will cry out like a woman in travail, I will gasp and pant. ¹⁵I will lay waste mountains and hills, and dry up all their herbage; I will turn the rivers into islands, and dry up the pools. ¹⁶And I will lead the blind in a way that they know not, in paths that they have not known I will guide them. I will turn the darkness before them into light, the rough places into level ground. These are the things I will do, and I will not forsake them. ¹⁷They shall be turned back and utterly put to shame, who trust in graven images, who say to molten images, "You are our gods." ¹⁸Hear, you deaf; and look, you blind, that you may see! ¹⁹Who is blind but my servant, or deaf as my messenger whom I send? Who is blind as my dedicated one, or blind as the servant of the LORD? ²⁰He sees many things, but does not observe them; his ears are open, but he does not hear. ²¹The LORD was pleased, for his righteousness' sake, to magnify his law and make it glorious. ²²But this is a people robbed and plundered, they are all of them trapped in holes and hidden in prisons; they have become a prey with none to rescue, a spoil with none to say, "Restore!" ²³Who among you will give ear to this, will attend and listen for the time to come? ²⁴Who gave up Jacob to the spoiler, and Israel to the robbers? Was it not the LORD, against whom we have sinned, in whose ways they would not walk, and whose law they would not obey? ²⁵So he poured upon him the heat of his anger and the might of battle; it set him on fire round about, but he did not understand; it burned him, but he did not take it to heart.

Intent of Chapter 42

42:1-4 The First Servant Song (49:1-6; 50:4-11; 52:13-53:12). This text refers to the Messiah. Many try to make it not refer to the Messiah as they wish to deny the Christ and place it to someone into the future.

The Mission of the Servant

Israel is the Nation as God's Chosen under the Messiah whom the One True God (Eloah) chose and gave Israel to him as his inheritance (Deut. 32:8-9; Ps. 45:6-7; Heb. 1:8-9). He will, with peace and patience, faithfully bring forth justice to the world (vv. 3-4a). He will bring the Law (1:10) and restore justice (5:16) to the nations. Spirit (11:2) (see Mat. 12:18-21).

42:5-17 God's Glorious Victory

5. God is Creator of all (40:21-22). He is the source of all life (Gen. 2:7; Acts 17:24-25).

42:6-9 God has given the Messiah as a gift and covenant to mankind as a light to the nations, to open the eyes that are blind and let the oppressed go free (60:1-3; Lk. 2:30-32; Acts 13:47; 26:23).

v. 8 Lord. Yahovah of Hosts as the One True God (41:23-24; Deut. 4:23-24).

42:10-13 Song of Victory

(see Pss. 93; 96, 149 (F019_4, F019_5iii).

v. 11 “Another text which is sometimes used to indicate that the Church will live in the wilderness of Petra in the end days.” (No. 194)

Kedar (Jer. 49:28-29) and Sela (Jer. 49:20). The remote places surrounding Israel which are to be brought into the structure at the return of the Messiah. The entire world praises God (Ex. 15:1-18; Jdg. 5:2-5).

42:14-17 God's Intervention over History

Long time since the creation (v. 5) to redemption (vv. 14-16).

v. 15 Jer. 4:23-28.

v. 16 Blind (vv. 6-7) and God led Israel safely through the Wilderness (41:17-20; Ex. 13:21-22).

42:18- 43:7 Israel, the Blind and Deaf Servant

42:18-25 Israel's Judgment

42:19-21 Blindness to God's will and ways is Israel's greatest sin (6:9-10). (see also 1:10)

v. 21 The task of the elect is to magnify the law of God and teach it to the nations but Israel and Judah failed continuously. They are about to be corrected for their sins over these last days.

42:23-25 Israel. Was punished and dispersed and sent into the wilderness for 2,750 odd years because they would not obey the Laws of God. God punished them for their sins and He is about to purge their false teachers from among them. Those who teach that the Law of God is done away are to be purged from the face of the earth.

*****

Bullinger’s Notes on Chs. 39-42 (for KJV)

Chapter 39

Verse 1

At that time: i.e. shortly after the two miracles of the shadow and Hezekiah's recovery from his sickness. Compare 2 Chronicles 32:31 .

letters and a present. These were more potent than Sennacherib's hosts; just as Ahab's daughter and feast were than his men of war with Jehoshaphat. See 2 Chronicles 18:1-3 . Compare with 2 Chronicles 17:1-3 .

Verse 2

glad of them. This is further Divine information, given by Him Who knew Hezekiah's heart. 2 Kings 20:13 records what Hezekiah did: viz. "hearkened unto them". Man could see the ear, but only Jehovah could know the heart. Hezekiah forgot to pray, as in Isaiah 37:4 , Isaiah 37:14 , Isaiah 37:15 , and Isaiah 38:2 . Hence his failure.

and. Note the Figure of speech Polysyndeton , to emphasise and call attention (by five "ands") to every detail.

his. Note the Figure of speech Repetitio to mark Hezekiah's ostentation and failure in not giving Jehovah all the glory.

precious things. Hezekiah's possession of these riches, after the depletion of his treasuries in 2 Kings 18:15 , 2 Kings 18:16 , is explained and accounted for by a reference to 2 Chronicles 32:22 , 2 Chronicles 32:23 , 2 Chronicles 32:27 , and to the spoil of the Assyrians' camp (2 Kings 19:35 ).

treasures = treasuries.

nothing. Emphasising the completeness of his act.

Verse 4

he: i.e. Isaiah.

Verse 5

the LORD of Hosts. See note on 1 Samuel 1:3 .

Verse 7

thy sons. Hezekiah had none as yet, and Jehovah's promise to David (2 Samuel 7:16 ) seemed in danger of failing. Manasseh was not born till the third of the fifteen added years. Hence his reference to this position in the "Songs of the Degrees". See Psalms 127:3-5 ; Psalms 127:3-5 and Psalms 128:0 (quoting in Isaiah 39:5-6 the words in Isaiah 39:8 ). Hezekiah did not marry till after this, and there may be a reference to his marriage to Hephzi-bah in Isaiah 62:4 , which serves as the basis of the comparison in his prophecy concerning the future blessing of Israel.

eunuchs. See Daniel 1:3 , Daniel 1:4 .

Verse 8

Good. Hezekiah's submission was like Eli's. Compare 1 Samuel 3:18 . 2 Kings 20:19 . Job 1:21 ; Job 2:10 , &c.

For = Nevertheless. The Hebrew distinctive accent meyrka thus marks it. This chapter commences a new Prophecy (see App-82 ), and follows that in Isa 34:1-35 .Isaiah 34:10; Isaiah 34:10

Chapter 40

Verse 1

This chapter commences a new Prophecy (see App-82 ), and follows that in Isaiah 34:1-17 ; Isaiah 35:1-10 , after the historic episode of Isaiah 36:0 , Isaiah 38:0 . It will be seen that it forms an integral part of the prophet Isaiah's book, as this member forms a perfect Correspondence with (Isaiah 6:0 ), and cannot be wrenched from it without destroying the whole. Other evidences may be seen in App-79 and App-80 .

Comfort ye. Note the Figure of speech Epizeuxis , for emphasis, and see App-82 .

saith. See note on Isaiah 1:11 .

God. Hebrew. Elohim. App-4 .

Verse 2

comfortably to = to the heart of: i.e. affectionately. Compare Genesis 34:3 ; Genesis 50:21 .Judges 19:3 .Hosea 2:14 .

cry = proclaim. Note the same word, and truth, in Isaiah 40:3 .

warfare = hard service or forced service.

iniquity. Hebrew. avah . App-44 .

the Lord. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4 .

double = in full. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Subject), for that which is complete, thorough, ample. See Isaiah 61:7 . Genesis 43:22 .Job 11:6 ; Job 41:13 .Jeremiah 16:18 ; Jeremiah 17:18 . Zec 9:12 . 1 Timothy 5:17 . Compare Job 42:10 . Galatians 1:6 , Galatians 1:7-9 .

sins. Hebrew. chata . App-44 .

Verse 3

The voice, &c. Quoted in Matthew 3:3 .Mark 1:3 .Luke 3:4-6 . Joh 1:23 . 1 Peter 1:24 . Compare the voice from the temple in Isaiah 6:0 , concerning the scattering, and this voice outside the land concerning the gathering. The voice was not Isaiah's, but heard by him in vision. John [the] Baptist claims it; but this People would not hear; and He Whom he heralded was crucified and His kingdom was rejected (John 1:11 ). The King and the kingdom are therefore alike in abeyance, and the prophecy yet awaits its further fulfilment. Compare Hebrews 2:8 . Revelation 3:21 , Revelation 3:22 , &c.

him that crieth = him that proclaimeth. These words are ascribed to Isaiah by the Holy Spirit in Matthew 3:3 , &c. Ch. Isaiah 42:1-4 is so ascribed in Matthew 12:17-21 ; Ch. Isaiah 53:1 in John 12:38 . Romans 10:16 ; Ch. Isaiah 53:4 in Matthew 8:17 ; Ch. Isaiah 53:7 , Isaiah 53:8 in Acts 8:32 , Acts 8:33 , and Act 61:1 in Luke 4:18 , Luke 4:19 . Not to a "second Isaiah". App-79 .

highway. See note on Isaiah 7:3 .

Verse 4

Every valley, &c. These physical marvels are supernatural, and can never be produced by the spiritual and holy living of individua1 Christians.

Verse 5

flesh. Figure of speech Synecdoche (of Genus), put for all people.

Verse 6

The voice = A voice. This is a second "voice": the voice of Jehovah.

is grass. Figure of speech Metaphor , by which the assertion is boldly made that one thing i s another (i.e. represents it). It differs from the Figure of speech Simile in the next clause, which asserts that one thing only resembles another.

goodliness = grace, or loveliness.

is as. Figure of speech Simile.

Verse 7

spirit. Hebrew. ruach. App-9 .

Verse 8

stand for ever. Compare Isaiah 46:10 , Isaiah 46:11 ; Isaiah 55:10 , Isaiah 55:11 .Psalms 119:89-91 .Zechariah 1:5 .Matthew 5:18 ; Matthew 24:35 .Mark 13:31 . Joh 10:35 ; John 12:34 . 1 Peter 1:25 .

Verse 9

O Zion, that bringest: or, O thou that tellest good tidings to Zion. Compare Isaiah 41:27 .

that bringest. This is feminine, personifying the "heraldband".

good = joyful.

O Jerusalem. See note on "O Zion", above.

strength = power, strength (to endure). Hebrew. koah. Same as in Isaiah 40:31 ; not the same as in Isaiah 40:10 .

behold your God. See note on the Structure of the four Gospels, which shows this sentence as being applicable to the Gospel by John.

Verse 10

The Lord God. Hebrew Adonai Jehovah ( App-4 ). This title is used because of His connection here with the earth.

strong = mighty strength (to hold fast). Hebrew. hazak .

Verse 11

feed His flock. As in the wilderness. See Isaiah 63:11 .Psalms 77:20 ; Psalms 78:52 , Psalms 78:53 ; Psalms 80:1 .

gather = take up.

Verse 12

These chapters (Isaiah 40:12-24 ) form a group corresponding with Isaiah chapters 1-5; and, like them, consist of exhortations and prophecies, while they are set in contrast with them, being promissory instead of reprehensory. Their subjects, as respectively repeated, will be seen in the Structure A below. They look beyond the Captivity.

Isaiah 40:12-24 . EXHORTATIONS: PROMISSORY AND PROPHETIC.

(Alternation and Introversion.)

Structure A:

K | 40:12-31. God's Controversy with the Nations. Vanity of Idols.

L | M | 41:1-42:16. Messiah's Anointing and Mission.

N | 42:17-45:15. Jehovah's Controversy with Israel.

K | 45:16-47:15. God's Controversy with the Nations. Vanity of Idols.

L | N | 48:1-22. Jehovah's Controversy with Israel.

M| 49:1-66:24. Messiah's Mission and Triumph.

(Isaiah 40:12-14 ) Who. . . . Who. . . With whom. . . ? Isaiah 40:12-14 are introductory: while the Figure of speech Erotesis emphasizes the importance of Him Who speaks.

a measure = a [ Shalish ] measure. See App-51 .

Verse 13

(Isaiah 40:12-14 ) Who. . . . Who. . . With whom. . . ? Isaiah 40:12-14 are introductory: while the Figure of speech Erotesis emphasizes the importance of Him Who speaks.

His counseller = the man (Hebrew. 'ish. App-14 .) of His counsel. Note the Figure of speech Ellipsis = "[who being] His counseller hath", &c?

taught Him = made Him know. Hebrew. ydda'.

Verse 14

(Isaiah 40:12-14 ) Who. . . . Who. . . With whom. . . ? Isaiah 40:12-14 are introductory: while the Figure of speech Erotesis emphasizes the importance of Him Who speaks.

instructed Him = made Him understand.

path. See note on Isaiah 2:3 .

taught = trained. Hebrew. lamad.

Verse 15

of = on: i.e. hanging from.

isles = maritime countries. See note on Isaiah 11:11 .

Verse 16

not sufficient: i.e. for the wood-offering. Compare Nehemiah 10:39 .

Verse 17

nations = the nations.

nothing. See note on Isaiah 5:8 . Not the same word as in following clause.

vanity = a desolation. Hebrew. tohu. Same as "without form" (Genesis 1:2 ). See note on Isaiah 24:10 .

Verse 19

melteth = casteth. graven. Hebrew. pesel. Here made by casting.

Verse 20

chooseth. See note on Isaiah 1:29 .

prepare = construct. See note on "the smith", &c., Isaiah 44:12 .

graven = carved. Same word, but made by cutting.

Verse 21

Have ye not . . . ? Figure of speech Erotesis , for emphasis.

Verse 22

sitteth. Figure of speech Anthropopatheia.

upon = above.

circle = circuit, or vault: i.e. as far as one can see, around or above. See Job 22:14 .

Verse 24

stubble = straw. Hebrew. kash.

Verse 26

calleth = calleth for, summoneth. by names. See Psalms 147:4 ; and App-12 .

strong = strong (for activity in working). Not the same word as in verses: Isaiah 40:9 , Isaiah 40:29 , Isaiah 40:31 (Hebrew. 'amaz).

faileth = is missing (when called). Compare 1 Samuel 30:19 . 2 Samuel 17:22 . See note on Isaiah 34:16 .

Verse 27

Why . . . ? Note the Figure of speech Erotesis , to emphasize the conclusion drawn from Isaiah 40:26 .

Verse 28

Hast . . . ? Figure of speech Erotesis , for emphasis.

there is. Some codices, with one early printed edition. Septuagint, Syriac, and Vulgate, read "and [so] there is".

Verse 29

strength = strength (for defence). Not the same word as in verses: Isaiah 40:9 , Isaiah 40:10 , Isaiah 40:26 , Isaiah 40:31 (Hebrew. 'azam).

Verse 30

utterly fall. Note Figure of speech Epizeuxis ( App-6 ) for this emphasis. Hebrew "they fall, they fall".

Verse 31

renew = change. Hebrew. halaph, to change for the better. See note on Leviticus 27:10 .

strength = strength (to endure). Same word as in Isaiah 40:9 . Not the same as in verses: Isa 26:29 .

mount up . . . run . . . walk. Note the Figure of speech C a t a- basis , to call attention (by Application) to the progress of experience in grace. At first we fly (compare Paul, 2 Corinthians 11:5 ; 2 Corinthians 12:11 ); then we run (compare Paul, Ephesians 3:8 ); then we walk (compare Paul, 1 Timothy 1:15 ).

Chapter 41

Verse 2

the righteous man from the east: i.e. Abraham. Compare Cyrus raised up from the north, Isaiah 41:25 .

kings: i.e. those mentioned in Genesis 14:1 , Genesis 14:8 , Genesis 14:9 . stubble = straw. Hebrew. kash, as in Isaiah 40:24 .

Verse 3

He pursued them: i.e. Abraham pursued them unto Dan. Reference to Pentateuch (Genesis 14:14 , Genesis 14:15 ). App-92 .

way. See note on "path. "Ch. Isaiah 2:3 .

Verse 4

the LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4 .

the first, and . . . last. Occurs here and Isaiah 44:6 ; Isaiah 48:12 . Thus, three times in Isaiah, and three times in the Apocalypse (Revelation 1:17 ; Revelation 2:8 ; Revelation 22:13 ).

with the last: i.e. He who called Abraham, the first, will be with the last (Messiah), Who is the subject of this prophecy.

I am he: or, I AM.

Verse 6

one = man. Hebrew. 'ish.

Verse 8

My servant. See note on Isaiah 37:35 for the three "servants" in Isaiah. This was Israel, as the seed of Abraham, not Cyrus (yet). Compare verses: Isaiah 41:21-29 .

chosen. See note on Isaiah 1:29 .

My friend. See note on 2 Chronicles 20:7 .

Verse 9

the chief men = the remote parts.

I have chosen thee. Genesis 12:1 .Joshua 24:2-4 .Nehemiah 9:7 . Acts 7:2-7 . Reference to Pentateuch (Deuteronomy 7:6 ; Deuteronomy 10:15 ; Deuteronomy 14:2 ). App-92 .

Verse 10

Fear thou not. Reference to Pentateuch (Deuteronomy 31:6 , Deuteronomy 31:8 ).

be not dismayed = look not around. Some codices, with Syriac, read "and be not", &c. It is this that dismays (see notes on Psalms 73:0 and 77).

God. Hebrew. Elohim. App-4 .

strengthen = strength (inherent, for activity). Hebrew. 'dmas. Not the same word as in Isaiah 41:1 and Isaiah 41:21 .

Verse 11

Behold. Figure of speech Asterismos. .

Behold, all they, &c. Reference to Pentateuch (Exodus 23:22 ). App-92 .

they that strive = the men (Hebrew. 'ish, App-14 ) of thy strife: i.e. thine accusers.

Verse 12

them that contended = the men (Hebrew. 'ish) of thy contention.

nothing. See note on Isaiah 5:8 .

Verse 14

thou worm. To emphasize the weakness of Israel; marked also by the Figure of speech Asterismos , "Behold".

men. Hebrew. methim. App-14 .

thy Redeemer. Reference to Pentateuch (Genesis 48:16 . Exodus 6:6 ; Exodus 15:13 ).

the Holy One of Israel See note on Isaiah 1:4 .

Verse 15

make thee = set thee for.

threshing instrument. See note on Isaiah 28:27 .

Verse 16

wind. Hebrew. ruach. App-9 .

glory. See note on Isaiah 13:10 .

Verse 17

poor = wretched. Hebrew. 'anah. See note on Proverbs 6:11 .

faileth. See note on Isaiah 19:5 .

hear = answer.

the God of Israel. See note on Isaiah 29:23 .

forsake. See note on Isaiah 1:4 .

Verse 18

open rivers, &c. Note that all these physical marvels must be accomplished by the miraculous power of God, not by the spirituality of His People. See note on Isaiah 35:1 .

Verse 20

and. Note the Figure of speech Polysyndeton for emphasis.

Verse 21

saith the LORD. See note on Isaiah 1:11 .

strong = strong (for weight or importance). Hebrew. azam Not same word as in verses: Isaiah 41:1 , Isaiah 41:10 . Hebrew. 'amaz.

the King of Jacob. This title occurs only here. Heathen kings were the gods of their people. So Jehovah, the King of Jacob, was the God of Israel.

Verse 25

raised up one from the north: i.e. Cyrus. See App-57 . Compare Abraham (the other type was "from the east", Isaiah 41:2 ). This prophecy was made 137 years before its fulfilment. Compare Isaiah 44:28 ; Isaiah 45:1 .

come = speed.

shall he call upon My name. This is the counter part of Isaiah 45:3 , Isaiah 45:4 . Compare Ezra 1:2 and 2 Chronicles 36:22 , 2 Chronicles 36:23 .

My name = Me (emph.) See note on Psalms 20:1 .

princes. The title of Babylonian governors and prefects of provinces. Hebrew. seganim. Used once in Ezra (Isaiah 9:2 , "rulers"); nine times in Nehemiah (Isaiah 2:16 , Isaiah 2:16 ; Isa 4:14 , &c.); three times in Jeremiah (Isaiah 51:23 , Isa 51:28 , Isa 51:57 ); three times in Ezekiel (Isaiah 23:6 , Isaiah 23:12 , Isa 23:23 ). Always rendered "rulers" except here, which is the only occurrence in Isaiah. Cyrus (the Medo-Persian) did fulfill this on the Babylonian "princes".

Verse 27

The first shall say = From the first [I have said].

Verse 29

molten images. See note on Isaiah 30:22 .

wind = vanity. Hebrew. ruach ( App-9 ). See note on Isaiah 57:6 .

confusion. See note on Isaiah 24:10 .

Chapter 42

Verse 1

My Servant: i.e. Messiah. See note on Isaiah 37:35 .

My soul = I Myself. Hebrew. nephesh. App-13 .

delighteth = is well-pleased.

put = bestowed.

My spirit. Hebrew. ruach ( App-9 ). Here is the doctrine of the Trinity: (1) The Father, the speaker; (2) My "Servant", the Messiah, the Son; and (3) My Spirit. See note on "stretched out" in Isaiah 42:5 .

Verse 2

cry. See the Divine interpretation "strive" (Matthew 12:19 ).

Verse 3

the smoking flax: i.e. the wick (made of flax) that is burning dim.

flax. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Cause), for the wick made of it.

not quench: i.e. not put it out, but trim it and make it burn brightly. This was the servant's work.

unto = in accordance with.

Verse 4

fail = go out (as a lamp).

be discouraged = break, or break down.

in = upon.

isles = maritime countries. The Divine interpretation = "Gentiles" (Matthew 12:18-21 ). See note on Isaiah 11:11 .

wait. Reference to Pentateuch (Genesis 8:12 "stayed").

and stretched them out = they that stretched them out. Compare "us", "our" (Genesis 1:26 ). Compare "image" (singular).

breath. Hebrew. neshmah , App-16 ). See note on Isaiah 2:22 .

Verse 6

a light of the Gentiles. Quoted in Luke 2:32 . Compare Isaiah 49:6 .

Verse 7

To open the blind eyes. Renewing the prophecy of Isaiah 35:5 .

prisoners. See Isaiah 49:9 ; Isaiah 61:1 .

sit. Put by Figure of speech Synecdoche (of Species), for being in a permanent condition.

Verse 8

I am. Reference to Pentateuch (Exodus 3:15 ). App-92 .

will I not give. Reference to Pentateuch (Exodus 20:5 ).

another: i.e. a strange god.

praise. Hebrew. lullal. Not confined to the "former" part of Isaiah, as alleged. See Isaiah 13:10 ; Isaiah 38:18 . See App-79 .

Verse 9

the former things, &c. Referring to his prophecies, among others, concerning Sennacherib, Isaiah 10:0 and Isaiah 37:0 .

new things, &c. Thus uniting the predictions of the earlier chapters with the so-called "second" part. See App-79 .

Verse 13

go forth. This is an enlargement of Isaiah 41:15 , Isaiah 41:16 . Still more so in Revelation 6:2 ; Revelation 19:11 .

mighty man. Hebrew. gibbor.

stir up = awaken, incite. See note on Song of Solomon 2:7 .

jealousy. Reference to Pentateuch (Exodus 20:6 ). App-92 .

cry . . . roar. Figure of speech Anthropopatheia.

Verse 16

I will lead = I have led.

I will lead them, &c. Some codices, with Septuagint, Syriac, and Vulgate, commence this sentence with "And".

These things, &c. Reference to Pentateuch (Deuteronomy 31:6 ).

will I do = have I done.

and not = and have not.

Verse 17

trust = confide. Hebrew. batah. App-69 .

that say, &c. Reference to Pentateuch (Exodus 32:4 ). App-92 .

Verse 18

Hear. Note the call to hear in the Structure, corresponding with the call in Isaiah 42:23 .

Verse 19

My servant. This is Israel. See the Structures above; and see note on Isaiah 37:35 . Not the same "servant" as in Isaiah 42:1 .

perfect = an intimate friend or trusted one. Hebrew. me'shullam (plural of shalam), to be at peace with. Compare 2 Samuel 20:19 . Job 22:21 .Psalms 7:4 . It is from this word we have Mussulman and Moslem. Israel, in the presence of the foe, was, in Jehovah's sight, thus perfect. See Numbers 23:21 .

Verse 20

Seeing . . . opening the ears. As Israel had done. Reference to Pentateuch (Deuteronomy 29:1 , Deuteronomy 29:2 ). But Israel was blind and deaf (Isaiah 42:19 ). Compare Jeremiah 5:21 ; Jeremiah 6:10 . Ezekiel 12:2 .Matthew 13:14 , &c.

he. Some codices, with Syriac, read "thou" (as in the preceding clause); others read "ye". The pronoun refers to Israel. See Isaiah 42:19 .

Verse 21

He will magnify the law. Note the correspondence with Isaiah 42:24 .

Verse 22

this is a People. Showing most clearly that Israel is the subject of this member.

Verse 23

Who . . . ? The other "call to hear" emphasized by the Figure of speech Erotesis .

Verse 24

Jacob . . . Israel. See notes on Genesis 32:28 ; Gen 32:43 , &c.

Verse 25

strength = strength (for prevailing). Not the same word as in Isaiah 41:1 , Isaiah 41:10 . Hebrew. 'azaz : i.e. battle that prevailed against Israel.

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