Bibelkommentare

Isaiah 44:6.— Vitringa begins the third discourse of the fourth book of this prophesy at this verse, extends it to the 48th chapter, and divides it into four sections; the first section, continuing the thread of the preceding disputation and conviction, from the deliverance of the church to be procured by Cyrus, clearly foretold by Isaiah and subsequent prophets, describes the madness of idolatry, and ascribes this great work, as if it were now present, to God alone. Chap. Isaiah 44:6-28. The second, after an apostrophe to Cyrus, pursues the same conviction, and largely sets forth the use and consequence of the blessing, namely, the calling and salvation of the Gentiles, chap. 45: The third foretels the destruction of the Babylonish empire, and demonstrates the vanity of every other false religion, from the vanity of the Babylonish idolatry; chap. 46: and in the fourth, the prophet more largely foretels the fall of Babylon, and the catastrophe of the Babylonish empire: chap. 47: The first section is three-fold; the first part is redargutory, wherein the Jewish people, who had revolted from God by idolatry, are convinced, first, of the true divinity of the God of Israel, from the illustrious effects of his providence, clearly foretold by him, and proved by the event; Isa 44:6-8 where we have a magnificent preface, containing the exordium of the reproof, Isa 44:6 and the reproof itself, Isaiah 44:7-8. Secondly, they are convinced of the vanity and folly of idolatry and idolaters; Isaiah 44:9-20. The second part is exhortatory, encouraging the Jewish people to true repentance, as well from this conviction, as from the promises of grace, and the effects of those promises, Isaiah 44:21-22. The third part is consolatory, wherein the deliverance of the people from the Babylonish captivity is described as if present, and as a wonderful effect of divine providence and grace; and particularly celebrated from its principal cause: wherein we have, first, the proposition, by way of apostrophe, to heaven, earth, and all the creatures, inciting them to praise God for this singular blessing to his people. Secondly, a declaration of this blessing with respect to its causes; GOD the principal one, Isaiah 44:24-27. Cyrus the instrumental, Isaiah 44:28.

Thus saith the Lord— You perceive that the discourse again departs from the immediately preceding subject, which is wholly evangelical, and that with a preface the prophet renews the conviction of idolaters, particularly the Jews, who were to be carried captive to Babylon, and for whose seed God would perform those promises which the prophet had just foretold. God would begin to fulfil those promises with the deliverance of the Jewish nation from Babylon: this should be the first sign of his reconciliation with his people. But the people could not partake of these benefits without a true conversion to God, and a renunciation of all idolatry and false religion. To which therefore, as to a condition absolutely necessary, the prophet here invites the people; and this is the foundation of the whole discourse. See Vitringa.

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Isaiah 44:7. And who, as I, shall call, &c.— The meaning is, "Who, of the strange gods, like me, by an efficacious command of his will, orders all causes and events of things to exist according to his good pleasure?" Who sets it in order for me? Who hath been of my counsel, to order and dispose these events? From the time that I appointed, or chose the ancient people, that is to say, "from the time that I called Abraham, to whom and his posterity I gave the tables of covenant."

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Isaiah 44:8. Fear ye not, &c.— The meaning is, "Fear ye not, nor be terrified at the motions of the Medes and Persians rising up against the Babylonish empire, since those motions shall be for your advantage: For have not I clearly foretold that this should come to pass, from the time in which Isaiah and the subsequent prophets have prophesied among you? And are not their prophesies in your hands? So that I can here desire no other witnesses than yourselves." Vitringa renders the next clause very properly, Is there a god besides me? Is there a rock? I know not any.

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Isaiah 44:9. They that make a graven image— They that form the graven image are all of them vanity; and their most curious works shall not profit. Yea, their works themselves bear witness to them, that they see not and that they understand not: Isa 44:10 that every one may be ashamed, that he hath formed a god, &c. Lowth. The prophet (still making God the speaker) passes to the other part of his reproof; wherein he sets forth at large the folly and madness of idolatry. His discourse may be divided into a proposition, Isa 44:9-11 and the enarration of that proposition, Isaiah 44:12-20. The whole is elegant, and easy to be understood. It should only be remembered, for the better comprehending its general meaning, that the prophet here refers particularly to the graven images and idols of Babylon; and indeed the whole scene of the discourse should be placed in Babylon; as appears from the context, the 25th verse of this chapter, chap. Isa 45:20 and Isaiah 46:1, &c. The 11th verse may be read, Behold, all that apply, or adhere to it, shall be ashamed, &c.

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Isaiah 44:12. The smith with the tongs, &c.— From this verse to the 20th the folly of idolatry is set forth in the most lively colours, and the whole scheme of idol worshippers exposed in an elegant strain of refined irony. There is no need of any exposition. The prophet here describes the instruments necessary for the carpenter to form the image. The 14th verse may be rendered, He heweth him down cedars, and taketh the teil or the pine-tree, and the oak, which he reareth up for himself, &c. He planteth a pine, &c. Isaiah 44:18. They have not known, nor understood, because their eyes were so closed up, that, &c. Isaiah 44:19. Nor doth he at all reflect in mind; nor has he the consideration or the sense to say, &c. Isaiah 44:20. He feeds upon ashes; his deluded heart, &c. The meaning of the phrase, He feeds upon ashes, is, "He depends on a thing which has no power to help him; barren, dry, and lifeless:" Or possibly the expression may allude to the curse of the serpent, and be an oblique hint, that idolatry is the greatest degradation which the dignity of the human species can suffer: such a degradation as brings man to a level with the reptiles, the lowest and most abominable of brute creatures. See Vitringa.

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Isaiah 44:23. Sing, O ye heavens— The prophet here, by an elegant apostrophe, calls upon all creatures to glorify God for his singular blessing to his people, in delivering them from their captivity in Babylon; which also has a further respect to the great and spiritual deliverance of mankind by the Messiah.

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