The Pulpit Commentary — Isaiah — Volume 2 — Section 222

EXPOSITION. ye peopke, or ye nations. The Lord hath CHAPTER XLIX. oalled me from the womb. Isaiah could not have said this of himself, for his "call" The connection of the present section is took place when be was of mature age. But especially with eh. xlii. 1-7, where the Christ was designated for his office from the mission of the Servant of Jehovah was first womb (Luke i. 31-33). He was also still announced. That mi&,ion was there de- "in the womb of his mother" when the scribed with extreme brevity. It has now name of Jesus was given to him (Matt. i. 21; Luke i. 31). to be folly set forth, for the instruction, con- Ver. 2.-He hath made my mouth like a solation, and comfort of all Israel, which is sharp sword. The author of the Epjstle to represented as snnk in despondency, deeming the Hebrews says the.t "the Word of God" itself forgotten of God and forsaken by him genera.Uy" is ..• sharper than any two-edged (vers. 13, 14). In the present chapter sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, e.nd of the joints and Jehovah's attestation of his Servant's mission marrow" (Heh. iv. 12). Christie.n ex- is set forth (vers. 1-12), and Zion is com- perience testifies that this keen, searching, forted in her despondency (vera. 13-26). cutting power attaches in an especial way Vers. 1-12.-,JEHOVAH'S ATrESTATION OF to the sayings of Jesus, which pierce the ms SEBv ANT's M1Ss10N. Jehovah called his heart as no other words can do, and rankle in the soul, which is quite unable to forget Servant from the womb ; mentioned him by them. The imagery recurs in the Revela- name ; made his mouth a sharp sword ; tion of St. John (i. I 6; ii. 12, 16; xix:. 15, held him in his hand ; callBed him to be a 21). In the shadow of his hand hath he polished weapon; appointed him his Servant; hid me. Either keeping him safe from the assured him of a. right and a. recompense; malice of his enemies, or reserving him until, "in the fulness of time," it would be appointed him, not only to restore and fitting to reveal him to the wol'ld. And recover Israel, bnt to be a Light to the ma.de me a polished shaft. A weapon even Gentiles, and to give salvation to the ends keener than a sword, smoothed and polished, of the world (vers. 1-6); chose him (ver. so as to make it pierce the deeper, and kept 7); will help him (ver. 8); through him hid in God's quiver until the time came when it could be launched with moat effect will both deliver the captive everywhere against the hearts of ungodly men. (ver. 9), and cause joy to break out in Ver. 3.-Thou art my Servant, 0 Israel. every pa.rt of heaven and earth (vers. 11- That the literal "Israel," is not intended 13). It is quite impossible that these things appears plainly from ver. 5. The Servant can be said of aught but a person, or of any himself is addressed as "Israel," because he person other than him in whom all the " would stand as e. new federal head to the nation" (Kay), which would be summed up nations of the earth were to be blessed in him, and also because he would be, in a (Gen. xxii. 18). truer sense than any other, an •• Israel," or Ver. 1.-Listen, 0 isle• (comp. eh. xii. " Prince with God." In whom I will be l ; xliL 1, 4, 6). Since the beginning of glorified (comp. John xiii. 31, "Now is the eh. :z:liii. Iaru.cl alone has been addressed. Son of man glorified, and God '11 glorified in Now that the mission of the Servant o( him"). He who is "the Brightness of the Jehove.h is to be treated of, all the world Father's glory" sets forth that glory before mmt be summoned to hear, for all the world men, and causes them to glorify him, both ill diiectly interested. Ye people; rather, with their tongues and in their lives. OH. xux. 1-26.] THE BOOK OF THE PROPHET ISAIAH. 231