The Pulpit Commentary — Isaiah — Volume 2 — Section 428

Vere. 7 - 14. - GOD PRAISED FOB ms Ver. 9.-In all their a111iotion he we.a l\lERCIES. The address opens with pure and afllioted. The "affliction " of Israel began simple thanksgiving of the most genere.l in Egypt (Gen. xv. 18), probably not long after the death of Joseph. It became an kind, God being praised for his loving- intense oppression, when the king "arose kindness, compassion, and sympathy with who knew not Joseph'' (Exod. i. 8). God's his people (vers. 7-9). .A.n historical survey sympathy with Israel's sufferings e.t this is then commenced., and Israel's shortcom- time is strongly marked in the narrative of ings contrasted with God's mercies, but with Exodus (oh. ii 23, 24; iii. 7, 17). An alter- native reading of the Hebrew text gives the e. preJomine.ntly thankful and even jubilant sense, "In all their affliction he was not tont (vers. 10-14). e.n adversary;" i.e. he did not afflict Ver. 7.-I will mention; or, celebrate. them for their hurt, but for their benefit. The lcving-kindnesees ; or, merciea (see eh. But the reading followed by our translators, lv. 8; and comp. Ps. l=xiL I). and most moderns, is to be preferred. The Ver. 8.-Re said, Bnrely they are my angel of his presenoe saved them. " The people. Israel was first recognized e.s "e. angel of his presence" occurs nowhere but people " in Egypt, when the cruel Pharaoh, in this place. It is probably equivalent to probably Sethos I., so.id, "The people of the "the angel of God" (Exod. xiv. 19; Jndg. children of Ierael are more and mightier xv. 6; Acts xxvii. 23), or "the angel of the than wt- " (Exod. i. 9). Soon afterwards God Lord" (Gen. xvi. 7; Numb. xxii. 23; Judg. acknowledged tilem Wl "his people" (Exod. xiii.3, etc.),e.nd designates either the Second iii. 7). Tht- exiles probably go back in their Person of the Trinity, or the highest of the thoughts to this time. Children that will angelic company, who seems to be the e.rch- not lie; or, deal falsely, as the so.me word is e.ngel Michael (see Pusey's 'Daniel,' pp. translated in Ps. xliv.17. The meaning is, 525, 526). (For the angelic interpositions tLat tiurely they will be faithful to God, which "saved" Israel, eee Exod. xiv. 19; and uot fall away from him into idolatry or Judg. vi 11-23; xiii 3-21; 2 Kings xix. iut:ligion. , 35, etc.) In his love 11114 in his pitJ' he oa. r,:xm. 1-19.] THE BOOK OF THE PROPHET ISAIAH. 143