Isaiah:49

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* Listen , to me O isles ; and hearken , ye people , from far ; The LORD hath called (note :)This is spoken in the person of Christ , to assure the faithful that these promises should come to pass : for they were all made in him and in him would be performed .(:note ) me from This is meant of the time that Christ would be manifested to the world , as in ( Psa_2:7 ). the womb ; from the body of my mother hath he made mention of my name . * And he hath made my mouth like a sharp (note :)By the sword and shaft , he signifies the virtue and efficacy of Christ 's doctrine .(:note ) sword ; in the shadow of his hand hath he God has taken me to his protection and defence : this chiefly is meant of Christ , and may also be applied to the ministers of his word . hid me , and made me a polished shaft ; in his quiver hath he hid me ; * And said to me , Thou [art ] my servant , O (note :)By Israel is meant Christ , and all the body of the faithful , as the members and their head .(:note ) Israel , in whom I will be glorified . * Then I said , I have (note :)Thus Christ in his members complains that his labour and preaching take no effect , yet he is contented that his doings are approved by God .(:note ) laboured in vain , I have spent my strength for nothing , and in vain : [yet ] surely my judgment [is ] with the LORD , and my work with my God . * And now , saith the LORD that formed me from the womb [to be ] his servant , to bring Jacob again to him , Though Israel be not gathered , (note :)Though the Jews refuse my doctrine , yet God will approve my ministry .(:note ) yet shall I be glorious in the eyes of the LORD , and my God shall be my strength . * And he said , It is a light thing that thou shouldest be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob , and to restore the preserved of Israel : I will also give (note :)To declare my gospel to the Gentiles , as in ( Isa_42:6 ; Act_13:47 ; Luk_2:32 ).(:note ) thee for a light to the Gentiles , that thou mayest be my salvation to the end of the earth . * Thus saith the LORD , the Redeemer of Israel , [and ] his Holy One , to him whom man despiseth , to him whom the nation abhorreth , to a (note :)Meaning , the Jews whom tyrants kept in bondage .(:note ) servant of rulers , Kings shall see and The benefit of their deliverance will be so great , that great and small will acknowledge it , and revere God for it . arise , princes also shall worship , because of the LORD that is faithful , [and ] the Holy One of Israel , and he shall choose thee . * Thus saith the LORD , (note :)Thus he speaks of his Church when he would show his mercy toward it , ( 2Co_6:2 ).(:note ) In an acceptable time have I heard thee , and in a day of salvation have I helped thee : and I will preserve thee , and give Meaning , Christ alone . thee for a covenant of the people , to establish the Signifying that before Christ renewed the earth by his word , there is nothing but confusion and disorder . earth , to cause to inherit the desolate heritages ; * That thou mayest say to the (note :)To them who are in the prison of sin and death .(:note ) prisoners , Go forth ; to them that [are ] in darkness , Show yourselves . They shall feed in the ways , and their Being in Christ 's protection , they will be safe against all dangers , and free from fear of the enemies . pastures [shall be ] in all high places . * They shall not hunger nor thirst ; neither shall the heat nor sun smite them : for he that hath mercy (note :)Meaning , that there would be nothing in their way from Babylon that would hinder or hurt them : but this is accomplished spiritually .(:note ) on them shall lead them , even by the springs of water shall he guide them . * And I will make all my mountaines , as a way , and my paths shalbe exalted . * Behold , these shall come from far : and , lo , these from the north and from the west ; and these from the land of (note :)Meaning , the south country , so that Christ will deliver his from all the parts of the world .(:note ) Sinim . * Sing , O (note :)Read ( Isa_44:23 ).(:note ) heavens ; and be joyful , O earth ; and break forth into singing , O mountains : for the LORD hath comforted his people , and will have mercy upon his afflicted . * But Zion said , The LORD hath (note :)He objects what the faithful might say in their long affliction and answers to comfort them with a most proper comparison and full of consolation .(:note ) forsaken me , and my Lord hath forgotten me . * Can a woman forget her childe , &amp ; not haue compassion on the sonne of her wombe ? Though they should forget , yet wil I not forget thee . * Behold , I have graven thee upon the palms of [my ] (note :)Because I would not forget you .(:note ) hands ; thy Meaning , the good order of policy and discipline . walls [are ] continually before me . * Thy children shall make (note :)I have continual care to build you up again and to destroy your enemies .(:note ) haste ; thy destroyers and they that made thee waste shall go forth from thee . * Lift up thy eyes around , and behold : all these gather themselves together , [and ] come to thee . [As ] I live , saith the LORD , thou shalt surely (note :)He shows what are the ornaments of the Church : to have many children , who are assembled by the word of God , and governed by his Spirit .(:note ) clothe thee with them all , as with an ornament , and bind them [on thee ], as a bride [doeth ]. * For thy desolations , and thy waste places , and thy land destroied , shall surely be now narow for them that shall dwell in it , and they that did deuoure thee , shalbe farre away . * The children of thy barennesse shall say againe in thine eares , The place is straict for mee : giue place to me that I may dwell . * Then shalt thou say in thine heart , Who hath begotten mee these , seeing I am baren and desolate , a captiue and a wanderer to and fro ? And who hath nourished them ? Beholde , I was left alone : whence are these ? * Thus saith the Lord GOD , Behold , I will lift up my hand to the (note :)He shows that Christ will not only gather this great number from the Jews but also from the Gentiles .(:note ) Gentiles , and set up my standard to the people : and they shall bring thy sons in [their ] arms , and thy daughters shall be carried upon [their ] shoulders . * And kings (note :)Meaning , that kings will be converted to the gospel , and bestow their power and authority for the preservation of the Church .(:note ) shall be thy nursing fathers , and their queens thy nursing mothers : they shall bow to thee with [their ] face toward the earth , and lick up the Being joined with the Church , they will humble themselves to Christ their head , and give him all honour . dust of thy feet ; and thou shalt know that I [am ] the LORD : for they shall not be ashamed that wait for me . * Shall the prey be (note :)He makes this as an objection as though the Chaldeans were strong , and had them in just possession .(:note ) taken from the mighty , or the lawful captive delivered ? * But thus saith the LORD , (note :)This is the answer to their objection , that no one is stronger than the Lord , neither has a more just title to them .(:note ) Even the captives of the mighty shall be taken away , and the prey of the terrible shall be delivered : for I will contend with him that contendeth with thee , and I will save thy children . * And I will feed them that oppress thee with (note :)I will cause them to destroy one another as in ( Jdg_7:22 ; 2Ch_20:22 ; Isa_19:2 ).(:note ) their own flesh ; and they shall be drunk with their own blood , as with sweet wine : and all flesh shall know that I the LORD [am ] thy Saviour and thy Redeemer , the mighty One of Jacob .

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