The Pulpit Commentary — Isaiah — Volume 2 — Section 403

e.s ho grow to manhood (Luke ii. 40, 52), Jitere.lly, oaks of righteauimess, or strong e.nd which WBB openly manifested at his baptism, enduring plants in the garJen of God, and never ceased till he took hie body and planted by him, in order that through them soul with him into heaven. Of tbis spiritual he might be glorifted. Nothing gives so anointing, all material unction, whether much glory to God as the proved righteous- under the Law (Lev. viii. 10-12, 30; 1 Sam. ness of his saints. The planting of the Lord; x. 1; xvi. 13; 1 Kings i. 3!l; xix. 15, 16, i.e. "which he has planted " and caused to etc.) or under the gospel (Mark vi. 13; grow, and rendered righteous. The right- Jas. v. 14), was symbolical or typical. To eousness, though it is tbeir own, an indwell- pree.oh good tidings (comp. eh. xl. 9; xii. 27; ing quality, has nevertheless come from him Iii. 7; and Nah. i. .15). Unto the meek (see (comp. eh. Ix. 21). Matt. v. 5; xi. 29; and comp. eh. xi. 4; Vers. 4-9.-Gon·s PURPOSE OF DEALING xxix. 19). To bind up the broken-hearted GRACIOUSLY WITH lsBAEL. Having pro- ( comp. Ps. oxl vii. 3, where this is declared to be the office of Jehovah himself). "Bind- claimed the objects of his own mission, " the ing up" is an ordinary expression in Isaiah's Servant" proceeds to declare God's gracious writings for "hee.ling" (see eh. i. 6; iii. 7; purposes towards L,re.el. Ta.king the Cap- xxx. 26). To proole.im liberty to the cap- tivity period for his standpoint, he promises, tives. This was one of the special offices of first, the restoration of the cities of Judah "the Servant" (see eh. xiii. 7). The "cap- (ver. 4), and then a flourishing time in which tivity" intended is doubtless that of sin. And the opening of the prison to them that Jews and Gentiles shall dwell together in one are bound. St. Luke, following the Septua- community pee.cefnlly e.nd gloriously, Israel gint, has, "and recovering of sight to the having e. certain pre-eminence (vers. 5-9). blind." It is thought by some that the Ver. 4.-They she.11 build the old wastes. original Hebrew text has been corrupted. (On the'' waste" condition, not of Jerusalem Others regard the Septuagint rendering as only, but of the cities of Judah generally, e. paraphrase. see eh. xliv. 26; xlix. 8, 19; lxiv. 10, 11, Ver. 2.-To proole.im the e.ccepte.ble year etc.) The first step in the recovery of Israel of the Lord. An "acceptable year,'' or from the misery of the Captivity would be e. " year of accepte.nce," is e. space of time return to Palestine, and o. genera.I restoration during which God would be plea.sed to ac- of the ruined towns. It wa.s e. ruin of "many cept such as repented and turned to him. generations,'' having commenced, probably, It is, of course, not intended to limit the with the invasion of Pbaraoh-Necho in B.o. space to a "year." The space is rather the 608, ·and being continued till the edict of term of our sojourn here below. The de.y of Cyrus (n.c. 538). vengeance. The "day" of vengeance is Ver. 5.-Stre.ngers she.11 stand a.nd feed contrasted with the "year" of acceptance, your flooks (comp. oh. xiv. 1, 2; xiv. H; Ix. to indicate God's long-suffering and patience 10). The Gentiles who join themselves with towards sinners (comp. eh. xxxiv. 8; and see the Jews, and form with them one com- also Exod, xx. 5, 6). To oomfort e.11 that munity, are constantly represented in the mourn; i.e. all who " sorrow after a godly writings of Isaiah as occupying e. su bor- sort" (2 Cor. vii. 11}-all who mourn their dina.te position. In the New Testament, transgressions and shortcomings, their " sins, Jew e.nd Gentile a.re put upon a par. Is the negligences, and ignorances," with a hearty explanation that Isaiah assumes that the desire to be rid of them, and to serve God Jews generally will accept the gospel, and truly in the future. therefore, to some extent, retain their privi- Ver. 3.-To appoint . . . to give. The leges in the new community, whereas, in latter expression is a correction of the former, fact, they rejected tho guspel. and so lost which was not wide enough. Messiah is sent their nature.I position (see Rom. xi. 7- to give to the godly mourners (1) beauty 20)? Or does Isaiah look onward to a later for ashes; or "a crown for ashes,'' i.e. a crown date? And is thero to be a restoration of of glory in lieu of the ashes of repentance "Israel according to the flesh" upon their which it we.a customary to sprinkle upon the conversion, e.nd e. reinstntement of lhem in head ; (2) the oil of joy for mourning ; or o. position of privilege? Such o. condition of the anointing of the Spirit in lieu of that things seems glunced at in Rom. xi. 23---29, pleoteousnoss of tears which nature.Uy be- 8nd in Rev. vii. 4-9; xiv. 1. The sons of longed to mourners ; and (3) the garment of the a.lien shall be your ploi!.ghmen and your praise for the spirit of heaviness, or e. glad viliedressers. Not so much compelled, like heart inclined to praise God, in lieu of a the Gibeonites (Josh. ix. 21-27). to perform heavy one inclined to despair. Christian menial offices, o.s undertaking them volun- experience witnesses to the abundant accom- tarily out of good will. plishment of all these purposes. That they Ver. 6.-llut ye shall be named the Priests might be oalled trees of righteousness ; of the Lord. By the covencmt me.de 8t Sinai,  416 THE BOOK OF THE PROPHET ISAIAH. [on. LXI. 1-11,