Isaiah Chapter 50
From The Open Bible Project
50:1 Thus says Yahweh, "Where is the bill of your mother's divorce, with which I have put her away? or which of my creditors is it to whom I have sold you? Behold, for your iniquities were you sold, and for your transgressions was your mother put away.
- (a) Meaning, that he has not forsaken her, but through her own opportunity as in (Hosea 2:2).
- (b) Who would declare that I have cut her off: meaning, that they could show no one.
- (c) Signifying, that he sold them not for any debt or poverty, but that they sold themselves to sins to buy their own lusts and pleasures.
50:2 Why, when I came, was there no man? when I called, was there none to answer? Is my hand shortened at all, that it can't redeem? or have I no power to deliver? Behold, at my rebuke I dry up the sea, I make the rivers a wilderness: their fish stink, because there is no water, and die for thirst.
- (d) He came by his prophets and ministers, but they would not believe their doctrine and convert.
- (e) Am I not able to help you, as I have helped your fathers of old, when I dried up the Red sea, and killed the fish in the rivers, and also afterward in Jordan?
50:3 I clothe the heavens with blackness, and I make sackcloth their covering."
- (f) As I did in Egypt in token of my displeasure, (Exodus 10:21).
50:4 The Lord Yahweh has given me the tongue of those who are taught, that I may know how to sustain with words him who is weary: he wakens morning by morning, he wakens my ear to hear as those who are taught.
- (g) The prophet represents here the person and charge of them that are justly called to the ministry by God’s word.
- (h) To him that is oppressed by affliction and misery.
- (i) As they who are taught, and made meet by him.
50:5 The Lord Yahweh has opened my ear, and I was not rebellious, neither turned away backward.
50:6 I gave my back to the strikers, and my cheeks to those who plucked off the hair; I didn't hide my face from shame and spitting.
- (k) I did not shrink from God for any persecution or calamity. By which he shows that the true ministers of God can look for no other recompense of the wicked, but after this sort, and also that is their comfort.
50:7 For the Lord Yahweh will help me; therefore I have not been confounded: therefore have I set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be disappointed.
50:8 He is near who justifies me; who will bring charges against me? Let us stand up together: who is my adversary? Let him come near to me.
50:9 Behold, the Lord Yahweh will help me; who is he who shall condemn me? Behold, all they shall wax old as a garment, the moth shall eat them up.
50:10 Who is among you who fears Yahweh, who obeys the voice of his servant? He who walks in darkness, and has no light, let him trust in the name of Yahweh, and rely on his God.
- (l) Showing that it is a rare thing that any should obey correctly God’s true ministers, though they labour to bring them from hell to heaven.
50:11 Behold, all you who kindle a fire, who gird yourselves about with torches; walk you in the flame of your fire, and among the brands that you have kindled. You shall have this of my hand; you shall lie down in sorrow.
- (m) You have sought consolation by your own devises, and have refused the light and consolation which God has offered: therefore you will remain in sorrow and not be comforted.
