The Pulpit Commentary — Isaiah — Volume 2 — Section 95

he tho.t he ho.s done this thing. By "the giving the people grounds of comfort and First, o.nd with the lost "-n favourite phrase trust during that trying time. in these lo.ter chapters (eee oh. xlv. 6 and Ver. 8.-Israel ... my servant (comp. xlviii. 12)-eeems to be meant simply "the eh. xliv. 1, 2, 21; xiv. 4; xlviii. 20; xlix. Eternal" (comp. Rev. i. B, 11, 17; ii. 8; xxi. 8-6, eto.). The title characterizes these 6; xxii. 13). later chapters, and, while standing no doubt Ver. 5.-The ieles saw it, and feared. A in some speciRl relation lo the "Servant nf genernl terror seized the no.tions on the Jehovah" who is the subject of eh. xiii. conquest of the Medes by Cyrus. Crresns of 1-5; xlix. 5-7, eto., is perhaps mainly Lydia, Nubouidue of Babylon, and Amaeie eelected, and dwelt on, to console Israel in of Egypt, were at once drawn together by captivity, when serr,ants of the King of the common danger, and mo.de alliance Babylon (2 Chron. xxxvi. 20), by tl10 offensive and defensive (Herod., i. 77). The thought that their true Master was God weaker tribes and peoples gave themselves himself, and that to him, and him 011ly, did up for lost. Scarcely any resistance seems they really belong. Jacob whom I have to have been offered to the Persian arms by chosen (comp. eh. xliv. 1). (On this the tribes between the Halys and lndue, the "choice," and the love which it implied, see Jaxo.rtee and the Indian Ocean. Lydia o.nd Dent. vii. 6-8; x. 15.) Abraham my friend; Babylon alone made a stout fight; but even or, Ab-raham that loved me. It was the these were conquered without very much diffi- special privilege of Abraham to be known culty. The ends of the earth .. , drew near; as God's friend (see 2 Chron. xx. 7; Jas. ii. i.e. distant nations held (will hold) consulta- 23) among the Hebrews, even as he is among tion together on the danger which threatene the Arabs to this day. The "friendship" them. The leo.gue of Lydia, Babylon, and intended comprised, no doubt, both an active Egypt is the only known instance of such and a passive element, but it is the active "drawing near" (see the preceding note). element which the word principally enforces. Isaiah anticipates marked consultations and Abraham loved God, e.nd showed his love exhortations with respect to the idol-gods, by his obedience. in which trust should be put; but perhaps Ver, 9.--Thon whom I have taken from he is scarcely serious in vers. 6, 7. Rather the ends of the earth; i.e. from Ur of the he is indulging hie sarcastic humour at the Chaldees (Mugheir in Lower Babylonia), expense of the idols and of those who put and again from Egypt, another " end of the their trust in them. (For instances, how- earth" compared with Palestine. The ever, of actnal trust in particular idols, see prophet views Palestine as Israel's true • Record~ of the Paet,' vol. iv. p. 58; Herod., habitat, whatever may be its temporary Y, 67; viii. 64.) abiding-place. From the chief men thereof. Ver. 7.-The carpenter, etc. (comp. oh. Most modems translate "from the comers xl. 19, 20 for the variety of workmen em- thereof;" bnt atsilim has the meaning of ployed in the production of idols). Each "chief men" in the only other place where encourages the others to mannfaoture a right it occurs (Exod. xxiv. 11). And not os.st good god. When all is done, there is, how- thee away. Not even when in exile wes ever, need of soldering, and of nails, thn t Israel "cast away." God's oare was still the wretched object may be kept erect, and extended over them. not show its weakness by falling, like Ver. 10.-P'es.r thou not. This verse is Dagon, upon its own threshold (1 Sam. most closely connected with the two pre- v.4). ceding. The clauses in vers. 8, 9 are one Vera. 8-20.-A PROMISE TO IsBAEL 011' and all vocative; here the verb follows. The whole passage is one of great tender- Goo's PROTECTION AND SUPPORT THROUGH ness. I am with thee (comp. Deut. x:ui. 6, THE TROUBLOUS PERIOD THAT IS APPROACH· 8 ; and see above (vol. i., p. 132), on the force ING. Israel is assnred (1) of God's faith- of the word" Immanuel"). I will strengthen fulness (vers. 8, 9); (2) of special divinely thee ; rather, I haoe strengthened thee, or I infused strength (ver. 10); (3) of the halle cho,en thee (Delitzscb, Cheyne). The infusion of weakness into their enemies two other verbs are also in the past tense. While primarily they declare po.at favours, (vers. 11, 12); (4) of external Divine aid they mo.y also be regarded as prophetic of (vers. 13, 14): (5) of an aggressive vigour future ones, sinoe "with God is no variable- that sho.11 enable them to scatter their foes ness." (vers. 15, 16); o.nd (6) of spiritual refresh- Vere. 11, 12.-As Israel would grow ment even amidst their worst sufferings strong throngh God's help, so her enemies would grow weak through God's di~favonr, (vers. 17-19). The eye of the prophet That enemies of all kinds may be seen to travels perbo.ps, in part, beyond the period be included, the designation is four times of the Captivity; but he ie mainlr bent on Vl\ried-" they that ure angry with t:fiee;" lBAIAH-11, H  98 THE BOOK OF THE PROPHET ISAIAH. (oH. xu. 1-29.