Isaiah:1

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* The (note :)That is , a revelation or prophecy , which was one of the two means by which God declared himself to his servants in old times , as in ( Num_12:6 ) and therefore the prophets were called seers , ( 1Sa_9:9 ).(:note ) vision of Isaiah the son of Amoz , which he saw Isaiah was chiefly sent to Judah and Jerusalem , but not only : for in this book are prophecies concerning other nations also . concerning Judah and Jerusalem in the days of Called also Azariah , ( 2Ki_15:1 ) of these kings read (2Ki . strkjv @14:1-21:1 ; 2Ch . strkjv @25:1-33:1 ). Uzziah , Jotham , Ahaz , [and ] Hezekiah , kings of Judah . The Argument - God , according to his promise in ( Deu_18:15 ) that he would never leave his Church destitute of a prophet , has from time to time accomplished the same : whose office was not only to declare to the people the things to come , of which they had a special revelation , but also to interpret and declare the law , and to apply particularly the doctrine contained briefly in it , for the use and profit of those to whom they thought it chiefly to belong , and as the time and state of things required . Principally in the declaration of the law , they had respect to three things which were the ground of their doctrine : first , to the doctrine contained briefly in the two tables : secondly to the promises and threatenings of the law : and thirdly to the covenant of grace and reconciliation grounded on our Saviour Jesus Christ , who is the end of the law . To which they neither added nor diminished , but faithfully expounded the sense and meaning of it . As God gave them understanding of things , they applied the promises particularly for the comfort of the Church and the members of it , and also denounced the menaces against the enemies of the same : not for any care or regard to the enemies , but to assure the Church of their safeguard by the destruction of their enemies . Concerning the doctrine of reconciliation , they have more clearly entreated it than Moses , and set forth more lively Jesus Christ , in whom this covenant of reconciliation was made . In all these things Isaiah surpassed all the prophets , and was diligent to set out the same , with vehement admonitions , reprehensions , and consolations : ever applying the doctrine as he saw that the disease of the people required . He declares also many notable prophecies which he had received from God , concerning the promise of the Messiah , his office and kingdom , the favour of God toward his Church , the calling of the Gentiles and their union with the Jews . Which are principal points contained in this book , and a gathering of his sermons that he preached . Which after certain days that they had stood upon the temple door (for the manner of the prophets was to post the sum of their doctrine for certain days , that the people might the better mark it as in ( Isa_8:1 ; Hab_2:2 )) the priests took it down and reserved it among their registers . By God 's providence these books were preserved as a monument to the Church forever . Concerning his person and time he was of the king 's stock (for Amos his father was brother to Azariah king of Judah , as the best writers agree ) and prophesied more than 64 years , from the time of Uzziah to the reign of Manasseh who was his son-in-law (as the Hebrews write ) and by whom he was put to death . In reading of the prophets , this one thing among others is to be observed , that they speak of things to come as though they were now past because of the certainty of it , and that they could not but come to pass , because God had ordained them in his secret counsel and so revealed them to his prophets . * Hear , O (note :)Because men were obstinate and insensible , he calls to the dumb creatures , who were more prompt to obey God 's word , as in ( Deu_32:1 ).(:note ) heavens , and give ear , O earth : for the LORD hath spoken , I have nourished and brought up He declares his great mercy toward the Jews as he chose them above all other nations to be his people and children as in ( Deu_10:15 ). children , and they have rebelled against me . * The (note :)The most dull and brute beasts acknowledge their duty more toward their masters , than my people do toward me , of whom they have received benefits without comparison .(:note ) ox knoweth his owner , and the donkey his master 's crib : [but ] Israel doth not know , my people doth not consider . * Ah sinful nation , a people laden with iniquity , a (note :)They were not only wicked as were their fathers , but utterly corrupt and by their evil example infected others .(:note ) seed of evildoers , children that are corrupters : they have forsaken the LORD , they have provoked the That is , him that sanctifies Israel . Holy One of Israel to anger , they are gone away backward . * Why should ye be (note :)What good is it to seek to mend you by punishment , seeing that the more I correct you , the more you rebel ?(:note ) stricken any more ? ye will revolt more and more : the whole By naming the chief parts of the body , he signifies that there was no part of the whole body of the Jews free from his rods . head is sick , and the whole heart faint . * From the (note :)Every part of the body , the least as well as the chiefest was plagued .(:note ) sole of the foot even to the head [there is ] no soundness in it ; [but ] wounds , and bruises , and putrifying sores : they have not been closed , Their plagues were so grievous that they were incurable , and yet they would not repent . neither bound up , neither mollified with ointment . * Your country [is ] desolate , your cities [are ] burned with fire : your land , foreigners devour it in your presence , and [it is ] desolate , as overthrown by (note :)Meaning , of them who dwell far off , who because they look for no advantage of that which remains destroy all before them .(:note ) foreigners . * And the daughter of (note :)That is , Jerusalem .(:note ) Zion is left as a booth in a vineyard , as a lodge in a garden of cucumbers , as a besieged city . * Except the LORD of hosts (note :)Because he will always have a Church to call on his Name .(:note ) had left to us a very small remnant , we should have been That is , all destroyed . as Sodom , we should have been like Gomorrah . * Hear the word of the LORD , ye (note :)You who for your vices deserved to be destroyed , as they of Sodom , save that God from his mercy reserved a little number , ( Lam_3:22 ).(:note ) rulers of Sodom ; give ear to the law of our God , ye people of Gomorrah . * To what purpose [is ] the multitude of your sacrifices to me ? saith the LORD : I am full of the burnt offerings of rams , and the fat of fed beasts ; and I (note :)Although God commanded these sacrifices for a time , as aids and exercises of their faith , yet because the people did not have faith or repentance , God detests them , ( Psa_50:13 ; Jer_6:20 ; Amo_5:22 ; Mic_6:7 ).(:note ) delight not in the blood of bulls , or of lambs , or of male goats . * When ye come to appeare before me , who required this of your hands to tread in my courts ? * * Your (note :)Your sacrifices offered in the new moons and feasts : he condemns by this hypocrites who think to please God with ceremonies and they themselves are void of faith and mercy .(:note ) new moons and your appointed feasts my soul hateth : they are a trouble to me ; I am weary of bearing [them ]. * And when ye spread forth your hands , I will hide my eyes from you : yea , when ye make many prayers , I will not hear : your hands are full (note :)He shows that where men are given to evil , deceit , cruelty and extortion , which is meant by blood , there God will show his anger and not accept them though they seem holy , as in ( Isa_59:3 ).(:note ) of blood . * * Learn to (note :)This kind of reasoning by the second table , the scriptures use in many places against the hypocrites who pretend holiness and religion in word , but when charity and love for their brethren should appear they declare that they have neither faith nor religion .(:note ) do well ; seek judgment , relieve the oppressed , judge the fatherless , plead for the widow . * Come now , (note :)To know if I accuse you without cause .(:note ) and let us reason together , saith the LORD : though your sins are as scarlet , they shall be Lest sinners should pretend any rigour on God 's part , he only wills them to be pure in heart , and he will forgive all their sins , no matter how many or great . white as snow ; though they are red like crimson , they shall be as wool . * If ye (note :)He shows that whatever adversity man endures , it ought to be attributed to his own incredulity and disobedience .(:note ) are willing and obedient , ye shall eat the good of the land : * But if ye refuse and be rebellious , ye shalbe deuoured with the sword : for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it . * How is the (note :)That is , Jerusalem , which had promised happiness to me , as a wife to her husband .(:note ) faithful city become an harlot ! it was full of judgment ; righteousness lodged in it ; but now Given to covetousness and extortion , which he signified before by blood , ( Isa_1:15 ). murderers . * Thy (note :)Whatever was pure in you before , is now corrupt , though you have an outward show .(:note ) silver is become dross , thy wine mixed with water : * Thy princes [are ] rebellious , and companions of (note :)That is , they maintain the wicked and the extortioners : and not only do not punish them , but are themselves such .(:note ) thieves : every one loveth bribes , and followeth after rewards : they judge not the fatherless , neither doth the cause of the widow come to them . * Therefore saith the Lord , the LORD of hosts , the (note :)When God will show himself merciful to his Church , he calls himself the Holy one of Israel , but when he has to do with his enemies , he is called Mighty , as against whom no power is able to resist .(:note ) mighty One of Israel , Ah , I will I will take vengeance of my adversaries the Jews and so satisfy my desire by punishing them . rid myself of my adversaries , and avenge me of my enemies : * And I will turn my hand upon thee , and thoroughly purge away thy dross , (note :)Lest the faithful among them should be overcome with his threatening he adds this consolation .(:note ) and take away all thy tin : * * Zion shall be redeemed with (note :)By justice is meant God 's faithful promise , which is the reason for the deliverance of his Church .(:note ) judgment , and her converts with righteousness . * And the (note :)The wicked will not be partakers of God 's promise , ( Psa_92:9 ).(:note ) destruction of the transgressors and of the sinners [shall be ] together , and they that forsake the LORD shall be consumed . * For they shall be ashamed of the (note :)That is , the trees and pleasant places where you commit idolatry which was forbidden ( Deu_16:22 ).(:note ) oaks which ye have desired , and ye shall be confounded for the gardens that ye have chosen . * For ye shalbe as an oke , whose leafe fadeth : and as a garden that hath no water . * And the strong shall be as a (note :)The false god 's in which you put your confidence will be consumed as easily as a piece of wick .(:note ) wick , and its maker as a spark , and they shall both burn together , and none shall quench [them ].

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