The Pulpit Commentary — Isaiah — Volume 2 — Section 320

eo the pnssage is nnderstood by Gesenius, man's (vers. 8, 9). God's word, onoe pM• Maurer, H itzig, Ewald, Knobel, Delitzsoh, nounoed, is potent to effect its purpose (vers. and l\lr. Cheyne. But, e.s Isaiah frequently sets 11side ordinary gra.mmatice.l rules, and 10, 11). Deliverance from Babylon, having as the position to the person here spoken of been promised, will tiurn ple.ce, e.nd will he seems too high for the historical David, accompanied by e.11 manner of spiritual a large number of commentators, including blessings (vers. 12, 13). Yitringa, Mich11elis, Dathe, Rosenmiiller, Vera. 8, 9.-My thoughts are not your Umbreit, and Dr. Kay, consider that the thoughts. Though man is made in God's ;lfossiah is intended. It is certainly difficult image (Gen. i. 27), yet the nature of God in to see how the historical David could he, at every way infinitely trnnscends that of man. this time and in the future, a "leader and Both the thoughts and the acts of God commander to the peoples" who were about surpass man's understanding. Men find it to flock into the Messianic kingdom. A 'aa.rd to pardon those who have offended witness ... a leader and commander. Christ them; God can pardon, and "pardon abun• was all these. He" came to bear witness to da.ntly." Men cannot conceive of coming the truth" (John xviii. 3i), and "before changes, when they pa.se certain limits. God Pilate witnessed a good confession" (1 Tim. knows assuredly what changes are approa.ch- l'i. 13). He "feeds and leads" his people ing, since they are his doing. (Rev. ,ii. 17), and is the "Commander" Ver. 10.-Aa the rain ... and the snow. under whose banner they serve (2 Tim. ii. The rain and the snow are God's ministers 3, 4). What he is to his people, he is also (Ps. cxl viii. 8), and go forth from him, just to the "peoples" generally; for they have as his word does. They he.ve an appointed been called into his kingdom. People . . . work to do, and do not return to him, whose people; rather, peopTa. ministers they are, until they have done it. Ver. 5.-Thou shalt call a nation thatthou It is best to tra.nslate, with Delitzsch and knowest not (comp. Ps. xviii. 43). The ob- Mr. Cheyne, "A.s the rain cometh down, ject of address in this verse appears to be e.nd the snow from heaven, e.nd returneth the Messiah. He, at l1is coming, will "call" not thither, except it hath watered the into his kingdom "a nation," or rather, earth," etc. The writer is, apparently, aware, "people," with whom he he.s had no cove- as the writer of Ecclesiastes is, that the nant hitherto; and they will readily and water which falls from heaven in the shape glad.Jy obey the call. Thus God's kingdom of rain does return thither again in the will be enlarged, and Israel's glory will be shape of vapour (see Eccles. i. 7). increased, Becansa of the Lord . . . for he Ver. 11.-So shall my word be, God's ha.th glori1i.ed thee. The great cause of the word is creative. With the utterance the attn..ction will be the "glory" which God result is achieved. Hence the sublime pas- the Father has bestowed upon his Son, by sage, which even heathenism coulrl ailmire raisin" him from tile dead, and exalting (Longin.,• De Sublim.,' § 9), "And God e.tid, him t~ a seat at his right hand in heaven Let there be light: and there was light" (Acts ii. 32-35; iii 13-15). (Gen. i. 3). Hence, too, the more general Ver. 6.-Seek ye the Lord. Again the statement," By the Word of the Lord were strain changes. The people are once more the heavens made; and all the host of them addressed, but in a tone of reproach. Israel by the breath of his mouth " ( Ps. xxxiii. 6 ; must" seek the Lord" without delay, or the comp. Ps. cxl viii. 5). But it shall accom- opportunity will be past; God will have plish; rather, unless it has accomplished. withdrawn himself from them. He "will 'fhere is e. mixture of two constructious, "It not alway be chiding, neither keepeth he shall not return void," and '' It shall not his anger for ever" (Ps. ciii. 9). return unless it has accompliahed," etc. It Ver. 7.-Let the wicked forsa.ke his way; shall prosper. Every word that proceedeth i.e. his mode of life. A. general promise out of the mouth of God has a prosperous of forgiveu.ess of sin upon repentance and course. It is endued with lil'e from God. amendment of life was first given to Israel and (as Delitzsch says) "rune like a swift through Solomon (2 Chron. vii. 14). The mcssen "er through nature e.nd the world of doctrine is largely preached by the pro- man, there to melt the ice, as it were, and phets; but is nowhere more distinctly and here to heal and to save; and it does not emphatically laid down than in this place. return from its course till it hae given effect God's will is to •• multiply pardon," if man to the will of the Sender." The special will only turn to him. "word" which the prophet has here in Vere. 8-13.-A. FBESB .AssUBANCE OP mind ie the promise, eo frequently given, ?f deliverance from Babylon and return m DELIVEBANCE PROM BABYLON. Man ca.n peace and joy to Paleeti!le. D?t he c~iea scarcely conceive of the deliverance which his teaching beyond the 1mmed1ate occe.e1on, God designs; but God'11 thoughts a.re not u for the benefit of the people of God in ell ages, OH. LV. 1-13,] 'l'BE BOOK OF THE PROPHET ISAIAH. 331