Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
Isaiah Ch.44 / 66 Ch.s
ISA:44
* Here are promises of the influences of the Holy Spirit. (1-8)
An exposure of the folly of idolatry. (9-20) Also the
deliverance of God's people. (21-28)
#1-8 Israel is here called Jeshurun, which means "the upright
one." Such only are Israelites indeed, in whom is no guile.
Those that serve God he will own. He will help them over
difficulties, and in their services. Water is the emblem of the
Holy Spirit; as water refreshes, cleanses, and makes the earth
fruitful, so do his influences the soul. This gift of the Holy
Ghost is the great blessing, the plentiful pouring out of which
God kept for the latter days. Where God gives his Spirit, he
will give all other blessings. Hereby shall be a great increase
of the church; thus it shall be spread to distant places. Was
there any other Rock, or Protector, that could defend them? None
besides could foretell these things to come, of which God by his
prophets gave notice. All was set in order in the Divine
predictions, as well as in the Divine purposes. Could any other
have done so? Who can compare with Israel's Redeemer and King?
#9-20 Image-making is described, to expose the folly of
idolaters. Though a man had used part of a log for fuel, he fell
down before an image made of the remainder, praying it to
deliver him. Man greatly dishonours God, when he represents him
after the image of man. Satan blinds the eyes of unbelievers,
causing absurd reasonings in matters of religion. Whether men
seek happiness in worldly things, or run into unbelief,
superstition, or any false system, they feed on ashes. A heart
deceived by pride, love of sin, and departure from God, turns
men aside from his holy truth and worship. While the affections
are depraved, a man holds fast the lie as his best treasure. Are
our hearts set upon the wealth of the world and its pleasures?
They will certainly prove a lie. If we trust to outward
professions and doings, as if those would save us, we deceive
ourselves. Self-suspicion is the first step towards
self-deliverance. He that would deliver his soul, must question
his conscience, Is there not a lie in my right hand?
#21-28 Return unto me. It is the great concern of those who have
backslidden from God, like the Jews of old, to hasten their
return to him. The work of redemption wrought for us by Christ,
encourages to hope for all blessings from him. Our
transgressions and our sins are as a thick cloud between heaven
and earth: sins separate between us and God; they threaten a
storm of wrath. When God pardons sin, he blots out, he dispels
this cloud, this thick cloud, so that the way to heaven is open
again. The cloud is scattered by the Sun of righteousness; it is
quite gone. The comforts that flow into the soul when sin is
pardoned, are like clear shining after clouds and rain. Let not
Israel be discouraged; nothing is too hard for God: having made
all, he can make what use he pleases of any. Those that learn to
know Christ, see all knowledge to be foolishness, in comparison
with the knowledge of him. And his enemies will find their
counsels turned into foolishness, and themselves taken in their
craftiness. The exact fulfilling the prophecies of Scripture
confirms the truth of the whole, and proves its Divine origin.
The particular favours God designed for his people in captivity,
were foretold here, long before they went into captivity. Very
great difficulties would be in the way of their deliverance; but
it is promised that by Divine power they should all be removed.
God knew who should be the Deliverer of his people; and let his
church know it, that when they heard such a name talked of, they
might know their redemption drew nigh. It is the greatest honour
of the greatest men, to be employed as instruments of the Divine
favour to his people. In things wherein men serve themselves,
and look no further, God makes them do all his pleasure. And a
nobler Shepherd than Cyrus does his Father's will, till his work
is fully completed.