Chapter 44:
| Darby
| Geneva
| Gill
| Jamieson Faussett Brown
| Matthew Henry
| Matthew Henry Concise
| Wesley
| Index
| Bible Gateway |
Introduction 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 Song of Solomon Jeremiah
Isaiah 44
Concise Complete
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)
Verses 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?
Verses 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?
Verses 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.
Chapter 44:
| Darby
| Geneva
| Gill
| Jamieson Faussett Brown
| Matthew Henry
| Matthew Henry Concise
| Wesley
| Index
| Bible Gateway |
Introduction 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 Song of Solomon Jeremiah
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