The Pulpit Commentary — Isaiah — Volume 2 — Section 153

the figure of a. me.n, e.nd impressed on it in their knowledge, God gave them up oo something of the beauty of a. ma.n, so that it e. re.probate (or, undistinguishing) mincl" ma.y seem worthy of remaining in the place (Rom. i. 28; comp. eh. xxix. 10). He he.th where it is sot up, whether temple or private shut; or, One hath shut. But the reference house. But there is something necessarily is in either case to God. The word trans- anterior to e.11 this. To obtain his block, the lated "shut" means literally "plastcre,l" carpenter must first cut down a tree, or have or "smeared." one out down for him (ver. 14); to obtain a Ver. 19.-None considereth in hie heart; tree, he (or some one for him) must have literally, recal/8 it to his heart; i.e. returns planted it; for the tree to have grown to e. to e. sound way of thinking upon the subject. fitting size, the rain must he.ve watered it. It is implied that the iclole.ters had once had So the very existence of these wooden idols it in their power to think and reason justly depends ultimately on whether it has rained npon the absnrility of such conduct as that or not-i.e. whether God has given his rain which wo.s now habitual to them. But they or withheld it. had lost the power. They he.cl sutfered Ver. 14.-Cedere . . . oypress . . . oa.k. themselves little by little to be deluded. The second of the trees mentioned is more The .took of e. tree. The marginal rendering, probably the ilex than the cypress, which "that which comes of e. tree," is preferable. does not grow either in Palestine or in Ver. 20.--He feedeth on e.shes; i.e. on Babylonia. Idols wonld be made of cedar ve.nity--0n what can give no support or sus- on account of its fragrance, of ilex and oak tenance (comp. Prov. xv. 14; Hos. xii. 1). on account of their hardness and durability. A deceived heart. Either self-deceived, or Cedar was used as e. mate, fal for carved imposed upon by illusions from without; figures in Egypt (Birch,• Contents of British e.g. the seeming power of the iclols, as seen Museum,' p. 21). Whioh he etrengtheneth in the victories and conquests of their wor- for himself among the trees of the forest. shippers. Re cannot deliver his soul. The The meaning is obscure. Dr. Kay translates, deceived soul is bound in trammels, which " and he encourages himself in the trees of it feels to be irksome, and from which it the forest,'' which conveys no very distinct would fain be free. But it cannot deliver idea; Delitzsch, "e.nd he chooses for himself itself. Delivemnce must come from some among the trees," etc., which is sufficiently ex teme.l source ; in other words, man needs clear, but sce.rcely obtainable from the a Deliverer. Is there not e. lie in my right Hebrew text; Knobel, "he makes himself hand l An idol is "a lie." It professrn to secure among the trees" (by putting e. me.rk have power, strength, ability to help and on those which he intends to have), which save, whereas it has no power at all. It imparts an idea certainly not contained in cannot even save itself. So.vnges often bee.t the original. Re ple.nteth e.n ash. It is their fetishes. Tlie.goras of Melos threw an uncertain, e.nd it does not greatly me.tter, image of Heroules into the fire on which what tree is intended. The point is that, he was cooking his dinner, and ho.de Her- before trees ce.n grow up, they he.ve to be cules me.ke himself of somo use by boUing ple.nted, and the.t, for them to grow when his turnips. The powerlessness of idols even planted, God's gift of rain is necessary (see to help themselves is represtented with much the comment on ver. 18). force in the Book of Baruch (vi. 12-15, 17 Ver. 15,-Then aha.ll it be for a. man to -22, 27, 49, etc.). burn. The tree that has been planted, and Vars. 21-28.-IsBA.EL ONCE IIIOI!E PROMISED nourished, and h11s grown up is naturally DELIVERANCE, AND THE DELIVERER MEN- "for e. me.n to burn." That is its ordine.ry destination; e.nd even the idolater applies i• TIONED BY NAME. Israel, having been ex, partly to this purpose; but out of e. portion horted never to forget the impotency of idols ho me.keth e. god. The very same tree serves (ver. 21), is promised forgiveness end deliver- him both for fuel and for e. divinity. o.nce (vers. 21, 22). Then, heaven and earth Ver. 16.-lle burneth pa.rt thereof; rather, are called upon to join in rejoicing over tht> half thereof; "With half thereof"-not the other he.If, but the same-" he ee.teth flesh." announcement (ver. 28). Fine.Hy, in e. noble One fire serves for the two purposes of warm- burst of poetry, God i8 represented o.e ing him l\nd cooking his victua.ls. solemnly decloring his intention of frus- Ver. 17.-The residue thereof; Le. the tre.ting all the false se.yings of the soothsayers other he.If. ooncerning his people, and e.ccomplishing Ver. 18.-Theyhavenot knownnorunder- their restoration to their own land, e.nd the stood. The co.use of all this folly is e. blind- ing of the underste.uding, di viuely caused in rebuilding of their temple throngh the in- the way of punishment, on account of their strumentality of Cyrus (vers. 2-1-28). having wilfully closed their eyes to the truth. Ver. 21.-Remember these; rather, re- llecause tlley " did 11ot like to retain Gad member these thing•; i.e. ,he futility af idola  158 THE BOOK OF THE PROPHET ISA.IA.H. [oH. xuv. 1-28,