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"choose the things that please me, " and take hold of my covenant (6); "5. Even unto them will I give in "mine house and within my walls, a

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place and a name better than of sons "and of daughters: I will give them an everlasting name, that shall not be "cut off. 6. Also the sons of the "stranger that join themselves to the "LORD to serve him, and to love the 66 name of the LORD, to be his ser"vants, every one that keepeth the "sabbath from polluting it, and taketh "hold of my covenant: 7. Even them "will I bring to my holy mountain (c), " and make them joyful in my house of prayer: their burnt-offerings (d) and "their sacrifices (d) shall be accepted

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the 4th commandment, and the foundation of a special promise, Is. lviii. 13, 14. "If "thou turn away thy foot from the sab"bath, from doing thy pleasure on my

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holy day; and call the sabbath a delight, "the holy of the Lord, honourable; and "shalt honour him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words: then "shalt thou delight thyself in the Lord; " and I will cause thee to ride upon the "high places of the earth, and feed thee "with the heritage of Jacob thy father; "for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken "it." An intimation so expressed how can man neglect!! See also note on Isaiah lviii. 13.

(b) "Take hold of my covenant," i. e. "take to my religion, follow my "commandments, walk in my laws, and "look up to my promises."

(c) v. 7. "My holy mountain," i. e. "the place for worshipping me: my "church," the mountain of the Lord's "house, which is to be established in the "top of the mountains, and to be exalted "above all the hills; unto which all na"tions shall flow; Isaiah ii. 2." i. e. "the "church of Christ."

(d) "Burnt offerings," and "sacrifices," i. e. "their worship;" "their prayers and praises."

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(e)" Mine house, &c." this passage referred to by our Saviour, Matt. xxi. 13. - Mark xi. 17. and Luke xix. 46.

(g) "All people," Gentiles as well as Jews.

(h) v. 8. "Others," i. e. "the Gen"tiles:" "those that are gathered," i. e. "the Jews." So says our Saviour, (John

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66 upon mine altar; for mine house (e) "shall be called an house of prayer for "all people (g). 8. The LORD God, "which gathereth the outcasts of Is"rael, saith, "Yet will I gather "others (h) to him, besides those that are gathered (h) unto him." 9. All ye beasts of the field, come to devour (i), yea, all ye beasts in the fo10. His (k) watchmen (1) are "blind: they are all ignorant; they "are all dumb dogs (m), they cannot "bark: sleeping, lying down, loving "to slumber. 11. Yea, they are greedy (n) dogs which can never "have enough, and they are shepherds "that cannot understand (n): they all "look to their own way, every one for

"rest.

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x. 16.) " Other sheep I have, which are "not of this fold: them also I must bring, " and they shall hear my voice: and there "shall be one fold, and one shepherd."

(i) v. 9. "Come to devour;" an intimation of heavy judgment upon those who should disregard the offers he had been making: whether it refers to any judgment in particular, or to judgments God should from time to time inflict, cannot well be known. The Jews experienced dreadful visitations in little more than a century, when they were attacked by Pharaoh Nechoh, (2 Kings xxiii. 33.) by the Chaldees, Syrians, Moabites, and Ammonites, (2 Kings xxiv. 2.) and were at length carried captive into Babylon, (2 Kings xxiv. 25.); and they had a still heavier visitation within 40 years after our Saviour's crucifixion, when Jerusalem was destroyed by the Romans. In our own times too there have been such visitations, as bore strong marks of being "God's judgments." A similar invitation to the beasts during the Babylonish captivity occurs, Ezek. xxxix. 17 to 22.; and another, Rev. xix. 17.; so that if Isaiah's was not intended to reach to our times, that in the Revelations may.

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(k) v. 10. "His," or " the."

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()" Watchmen," i. e. (probably)" the governors in church and state; they "who ought to see what is approaching "and to give warning."

(m) "Dumb dogs," who give no alarm when thieves approach.

(n) v. 11. "Greedy," "too intent upon gain:" "cannot understand," i. e. "have "no understanding."

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(r) v. 1. "Layeth it to heart," i. e. "looks upon it as a forerunner or presage "of approaching distress. See 2 Justin "M. 52." The last chapter ended with a censure upon the disregard of God's warnings; he here specifies as one warning, the death of righteous men, who are removed when judgments are at hand, to rescue them from the wretchedness of the times.

(s) Æneas observes upon the death of Anchises, "Heu tantis nequicquam erepte periclis. 3 Æn. 712." (t) v. 2. " He," and " " righteous and merciful.”

they," i. e. " the

(u)" He shall enter, &c." God gives good men a peaceful death: they come to their end in quiet in their beds: the death for which Balaam in vain wished, (Numb. xxiii. 10.) "the death of the righteous." (x)" Each one, &c." i. e. “ every one "that is righteous." See 2 Tillots. 161.

(y) v. 3. "But, &c." After an intimation of mercy to the righteous, a remonstrance and denunciation against the wicked.

(z) "Sons of the sorceress, &c. " i.e.

"draw near hither, ye sons of the sor

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ceress (z), the seed of the (a) adul"terer and the whore. 4. Against "whom do ye sport yourselves? against "whom make ye a wide mouth and "draw out the tongue? are ye not "children of transgression, a seed of "falsehood? 5. Enflaming yourselves "with idols under every green tree (b), "slaying the children (c) in the valleys "under the cliffs of the rocks? "6. Among the smooth stones of the "stream is thy portion (d); they, they

are thy lot (d): even to them hast "thou poured a drink-offering, thou "hast offered a meat-offering. Should

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"whoever resort to witchcrafts, divin "ations, and enchantments." See ante, 653. Isaiah xliv. 25. (a) The adulterer, &c." meaning those who have given themselves up to false idol worship, which is often treated as spiritual adultery.

(b) v. 5. "Under every green tree," and verse 7. " upon a lofty and high moun "tain;" places of idolatrous worship, where they sacrificed and paid homage to the false gods, Ezek. vi. 13. — 2 Kings xvi. 4.2 Chron. xxviii. 4.

(c)" Slaying the children, &c." ie. (probably)" sacrificing them to idols." This is mentioned as one of the sins of the Israelites, Ps. cvi. 36, 37. "they of "fered their sons and daughters unto "devils, and shed innocent blood, even "the blood of their sons and of their "daughters, whom they offered unto the "idols of Canaan ;" and it was practised in Isaiah's time by Ahaz, who "burnt incense "in the valley of the son of Hinnom, and "burnt his children in the fire, after the "abomination of the heathen, 2 Chron. "xxviii. 4." See also Ezek. xvi. 20, and Ezek. xxiii. 39.

(d) v. 6. "Thy portion," "thy lot," lot,” i. e. (probably)" the objects of your wor

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ship, your gods." In many passages God is said to be "the portion of his "people," and the false gods might therefore be referred to by the words, "por"tion" and "lot:" thus, Ps. xvi. 6. "The "Lord himself is the portion of mine in"heritance." Ps. lxxiii. 26. “ God is the "strength of my heart, and my portion for "ever." Ps. cxix. 57. "Thou art my "portion, O Lord;" and Ps. cxlii. 6. “I

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"I receive (e) comfort in these? "7. Upon a lofty and high moun"tain (b) hast thou set thy bed: even "thither wentest thou up to offer sacri"fice. 8. Behind the doors (g) also "and the posts (g) hast thou set up thy remembrance (h): for thou hast "discovered thyself (i) to another than me, and art gone up: thou hast en"larged thy bed (k), and made thee 66 a covenant with them; thou lovedst "their bed where thou sawest it. "9. And thou wentest to the king (1) "with ointment (m), and didst increase "thy perfumes (m), and didst send thy "messengers (n) far off, and didst abase thyself even unto hell.

10. Thou "art wearied (o) in the greatness of thy way; yet saidst thou not, "There

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(g) v. 8. "Behind the doors," and "the posts;" two of the places where they set up their idols in their private houses: not content to introduce them into public worship, but making them the objects also of private domestic devotion.

(h) Thy remembrance," i. e. (probably) "thy idol;" instead of remembering God, and looking up to him; making the idol the only object of their thoughts and > hopes.

(i)" Discovered thyself," i. e. (probably)" opened thy mind, made known thy wants, applied for aid."

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(k)" Enlarged thy bed," i. e. "to ad"mit strange gods." Idolatry (which is infidelity towards God) is often expressed by terms used for infidelity towards husbands. See Jer. iii. 1 to 9. - Ezek. xvi. 26.28. and Ezek. xxiii. 3 to 48.

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() v. 9. The king," or, differently pointed, "Moloch." It probably means some distant idol. It seems to refer to

"is no hope:" thou hast found the life "of thine hand (p); therefore thou wast "not grieved. 11. And of whom (q) "hast thou been afraid or feared, that "thou hast lied (r), and hast not re"membered me, nor laid it to thy "heart? have not I held (s) my peace

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even of old, and thou fearest me not? 12. I will declare (t) thy righteous"ness, and thy works, for they shall "not profit (t) thee. 13. When thou "criest, let thy companies (u) deliver "thee: but the wind shall carry them "all away, vanity shall take them: but "he that putteth his trust in me shall possess the land, and shall inherit my "holy mountain: 14. And shall say, ""Čast ye up (x), cast ye up, prepare "the way, take up the stumbling block

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some event then well known; perhaps during the reign of Ahaz.

(m) "Ointment," and "perfumes," (perhaps) both "for your own persons," to shew your respect, and "for presents to "the idol."

(n) "Send thy messengers, &c." i. e. "to make obeisance before your own "arrival."

(o) v. 10. "Art wearied, &c." i. e. (probably) "such was your confidence in the "idol, the distance and difficulties of the way did not dishearten you."

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(p) "The life of thy hand," i. e. (probably) "the idol," from whom alone you look for life and strength :-ironically! (g) v. 11. "Of whom, &c." So ante, Is. li. 12, 13.

(r) "Lied," i. e. "turning to idols, "denying me."

"dealt falsely, by and by thy deeds

(s) "Held my peace, &c." i.e. (probably) shewn forbearance; treated thee with mercy; tried what lenity would do: but

this has had no effect.

(t) v. 12. "Declare," or "expose," "thy righteousness," i. e. "what you pre"tend so to call." See post, 670. Is. Ixiv. 6. "They shall not profit thee," "I will "shew their worthlessness." "They shall "furnish you no ground for hope."

(u) v. 13. " Companies," i.e. "the idola"trous powers: the forces you may get "from idolatrous nations."

(x) v. 14. "Cast ye up, &c." To make good the way, and remove every obstruction, that his worshippers may have easy

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ones.

"out of the way of my people." 15. For "thus saith the high and lofty One "that inhabiteth eternity, whose name "is Holy, "I dwell in the high and "holy place; with him also (y) that is "of a contrite and humble spirit, to "revive the spirit of the humble, and "to revive the heart of the contrite 16. For I will not contend "for ever, neither will I be always "wroth for the spirit (z) should fail "before me, and the souls which I have "made. 17. For the iniquity of his "covetousness was I wroth, and smote "him: I hid me, and was wroth (a), "and he went on frowardly in the way "of his heart. 18. I have seen his "ways, and will heal him: I will lead "him also, and restore comforts unto "him and to his mourners. 19. I "create (b) the fruit of the lips (c): 66 peace, peace (d) to him that is far off "and to him that is near, saith the LORD,

access to God's temple. So Is. lxii. 10. and xl. 3.

(y) v. 15. "With him also, &c." "He "is the object of my special care." "A "broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou "wilt not despise." Ps. li. 17.

Saviour speaks of God's making his abode with those who love him. (John xiv. 23.) "If a man love me, he will keep my words: "and my Father will love him, and we "will come unto him, and make our abode "with him."

(z) v. 16. "The spirit should fail," i. e. (perhaps) "it would be more than man "could bear."

(a) v. 17. "And was wroth, &c." or, "and he was grieved, and went on sor"rowing on account of his ways." See Sept. This suggests a reason, consistent with God's justice, why God should heal him, and why he should still continue the denunciation in verse 21.

(b) v. 19. "I create, &c." i. e. (probably) "I will furnish grounds, by offers of "peace and pardon, for thanksgiving and "praise:" perhaps looking forward to the Christian dispensation.

(c) "The fruit of the lips," i. e. according to Heb. xiii. 15. "The sacrifice " of praise." Let us offer the sacrifice of "praise to God continually, that is, the "fruit of our lips, giving thanks to his "name." It is called, Hos. xiv. 2. "The

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CRY aloud, spare not, lift up thy "voice like a trumpet, and shew my people their transgression, and the "house of Jacob their sins. 2. Yet (b)

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they seek me daily, and delight (1) to "know my ways, as a nation that did 66 righteousness, and forsook not the "ordinance of their God: they ask of "me the ordinances of justice: they "take delight (i) in approaching to "God. 3." Wherefore have we fast"ed," say they, "and thou seest not? "wherefore have we afflicted our soul, "and thou takest no knowledge? "Behold (4), in the day of your fast

"calves of our lips," in allusion to the "subjects of sacrifice.

(d)" Peace, peace, &c." If this were not intended as a prophecy of the deliverance by Christ, it is at least applicable to it, and is accordingly so applied, Eph. ii. 14. 17. "He is our peace, and "came and preached peace to you which "were afar off," (i. e. the Gentiles,)" and "to them that were nigh," (i. e. the Jews.)

(e) v. 20. "But, &c." Though the offer of this peace is to all mankind, they who persist in their wickedness are not to expect it; it will be confined to the contrite and humble.

(g) Of the service God requires, of the heart, not of the lips: such as shews itself in acts of reverence towards God, and of benevolence towards man: of the insuffi ciency of external ceremonies and outward acts of devotion, with great promises to real goodness. B.C.698.

(h) v. 2. "Yet, &c." either an admission that they practise all the outward ceremo nies of religion, or an insinuation that this is what they assert, viz. that "they seek "me early, and delight to know my my ways, &c.

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(2) "Delight," i. e. "make a shew of delighting."

(k) v. 3. Behold, &c." this is God's

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a day (n) for a man to afflict his soul? "Is it to bow down his head as a bul"rush, and to spread sackcloth and "ashes under him? wilt thou call this "a fast, and an acceptable day to the "LORD? 6. Is not this the fast that "I have chosen? to loose (0) the "bands of wickedness, to undo the "heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke? 7. Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that "thou bring the poor that are cast out "to thy house? when thou seest the "naked, that thou cover him; and that "thou hide not thyself from thine own "flesh (p)? 8. Then shall thy light break "forth as the morning, and thine health

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(o) v. 6. "To loose, &c." "to shew mercy, to relax from their demands upon debtors and slaves." By the Mosaic law, if they bought an Hebrew servant, he was to serve six years only, and the seventh he was to go free. (Exod. xxi. 2. -Deuter. xv. 12.) and (according to Levit. xxv. 39, 40.) if an Israelite, who had waxen poor, was sold to an Israelite, he was not to be compelled to serve as a bond servant, but as a hired servant and as a sojourner was he to be, and was to serve to the year of jubilee only. These laws however were in many instances disregarded. See Jer. xxxiv. 13 to 17. and Neh. v. 2 to 5.

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cry, and he shall say, "Here I am." "If thou take away from the midst of "thee the yoke, the putting forth of the

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finger (r), and speaking vanity (s); "10. And if thou draw out thy soul (t) "to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted "soul; then shall thy light rise (u) in obscurity, and thy darkness be as the noonday. 11. And the LORD shall guide thee continually, and satisfy "thy soul in drought (a), and make "fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like "a watered garden, and like a spring "of water, whose waters fail not. "12. And they that shall be of thee (y) "shall build the old waste places: "thou shalt raise up the foundations "of many generations (2); and thou "shalt be called, "The repairer of the "breach, The restorer of paths to

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(p) v.7. "Thine own flesh," i. e. either thy kindred and countrymen," or generally, “ any man;" all mankind being of

the same flesh and blood.

(q) v. 8. "Thy rereward," i. e. "behind "thee."

(r) v. 9. "The putting forth of the "finger," i. e. "in scorn and derision;" "scornful habits."

(s) "Vanity," or "falsehood." (t) v. 10. Draw out thy soul," i. e. "open thy heart;" "liberally and cheer"fully supply his wants."

(u)" Rise in," or "burst forth from." (x) v. 11. "Drought," or "scarcity." (y) v. 12. " They that shall be of thee," i. e. “ thy children;" or, “ they shall build "in thee the old waste places," i. e. "all "the ruins within thy territories shall be "repaired."

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(2) "The foundations of many gene"rations," i. e. "buildings of ancient "times, that have gone to decay." In Is. Ixi. 4. amongst the promises of future joy and comfort, this is one, They shall "build the old wastes, they shall raise up “ the former desolations, and they shall repair the waste cities, the desolations "of many generations."

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