The Pulpit Commentary — Isaiah — Volume 2 — Section 469

ehould believe a lie " (2 These. ii. 11), so on intended. Such a second bi.t-th of a nation othere he sends a spirit of childish folly, was strange, and without precedont (comp. which makes their conduct silly aud head- eh. xlii. 9; xliii. 19). Shall the earth be i;trong. Persons whose characters are of this made to bring forth in one day? rather, can stamp are especially liable t.o vain and a land be brought fo1·th in one day f It is grom,dless "fears." When I oalled, none did not only a people, but a counlry, that is answer (comp. eh. lxv. 12, and see the born anew; not only 1he Jews, but Judma comment on that passage). Ver. 9.-Shall I bring to the birth, etc.? Vere. 5-14.-TuE GoDLY EXILES EN- i.e. " Should I arrange all the preliminary COURAGED. The scoffs which have long circumstances for tho restoration of my greeted those who believed God's promises should people, and stop there?" (Cileyne). Nay, I, having done so much, interpose at and expected the restoration of Zion, will be the last moment, to shut the womb? With- put to shame. The silence in which Zion out such interposition, matters have pro- has lain will be broken; she will be once gressed so far, that the result must come. more a city" full of stirs, a tumultuous city" Ver. 10.-Rejoioe ye with .Jerusalem , , . all ye that love her. The ca.11 to rejoicing (eh. xxii. 2). Suddenly, without any pains is general Restored Jerusalem is to be of tra vrnl, she will bring forth; and her off- hailed with joy "by all who love her," spring will be "a nation born at once" (ver. whether her own children or foreigners. To 8). Tl1e godly exiles are ea.lied upon to re- both she will be a blessing (vers. 11-13). joice o.t the prospect (ver. 10), and promised Ver. 11.-That ye may suok. Restored Jerusalem will be as a mother to all who peace anci comfort in the restored city (vers. love her, to all who have mourned for her 11-14). when she lay as it were dead (1 Sam. xv. Ver. 5.-Hear . . . ye that tremble. The 35; 2 Sam. xiv. 2). She will have" milk" godly are addressed-those tbat have a to give to all-" the sincere milk of the reverent fear of God's word (comp. ver. 2, Word" (1 Pet. ii. 2)-and from her both ad fin. ; and see also Ezra iL 4; x. 3). Your Jew and Gentile will "suck out no small brethren that . . . cast you out; rather. advantage" (Ps. Jxxiii. 10). She will also that put yoo away (Cheyne), or thrust you impart to them from the abUll.dance of her from them (Delitzsch). The verb used came glory. in later times to designate furmal excom- Ver. 12.-I will extend peace to her like munication ; but here it points merely to a a river; literally, I will direct peace to her, practical renunciation of fellowship. Ba.id, like a river. The waters of streams are in Let the Lord be glorified: but he shall appear the East directed hither and thither by the to your joy; rather, said, Let Jeho-oah glorify agriculturist. God would have given his himself, that we may see yoor joy ; i.e. "said people "peace, as a river," long previously, sarcastically, May the prophecies be fulfilled, had they permitted him (eh. xlvili. 18). And and God humble Babylon, and release Israel, the glory of the Gentiles (comp. eh. lx. 5, and restore her, that we may witness your 11 ; lxi. 6, etc.). Like a flowing stream ; rejoicing. We should gladly see all this; literally, as an overflowing torrent. There bat we do not in the least expect it." And is perhaps a contrast intended between the they shall be ashamed; rather, but a, for former and the latter times. In the former them (i.e. those who so speak) they shall be times Assyria had swept over Israel like an ashamed. The event shall shame them. overwhelming flood to destroy her (eh. viii. Ver. 6.-A. voioe of noise from the city ... 7, 8); now the glory of the whole Gentile from tho temple. The "city" and "temple" world should similarly overflow and over- a.re suddenly in existence-they have sprung whelm, but only to enrich and exalt. Ye intn being. The prophet sees Jerusalem shall be borne upon her sides ( see the com- re11uilt, reotored, and hears sounds go forth ment on eh. Ix. 4). It is Jerusalem, and from it-partly, perl1aps, the sounds of ordi- not tile Gentile world (Delitzach, Cheyne), nary city life; but amid these, there is a voice that will thus care for and caress her children. of the Lord, rendering recompense to his The continuance of the metaphor from ver. ene:des. The Jewish state, restored by 11 is marked by the repetition of the verb, Zeruhbabel, did, after a time, bring under "ytj shall suck." cu hj ection several of its ancient adversaries. Ver. 13.-As one; literally, a1 a man. \' ers. 7, 8.-Before she travailed, etc. Israel is now looked upon as grown up, and Without any long delay, without any labour receiving comfort from God himself in po.ins, Zion will bring forth a man-ohild-a Jerusalem. whole nation, which will be born at once, Ver, 14.-Your bones shall flourish like an and not grow up by slow degrees. 'fhe herb (comp. eh. lviii. 11). In the time of occupation of Jerubalem by the great body calamity, Israel's "bones" ha.ve been "con- of the returned exiles (Ezra ii. 1; iii 1) is awned" (Ps. :uxi. 10), e.nd " waxed old" 011. tXVI.1-24.J THE BOOK OF THE PROPHET ISAIAH. 487