Isaiah 42

Isaiah 42:1-25

:CHAP XLIV.

Isaiah 42:2

He shall not cry] his Empire shall not be with violence of command, nor in oughnesse of threatnings, as worldly Empires are, but in the mildnesse and stength of the Spirit.

Isaiah 42:3

Not breake] he shall lovingly beare with the infirmitie and ignorance of his poore children, and shal not rigorously punish them, neither shall he winke at their faults, but shal correct them for their amendment. And shal not endure hypocrites, nor prophane men, but shal punish them severely.

Isaiah 42:4

He shall not] the meaning seems to be this; He shal use his elect in such sort, that they shall never want light nor strength, even as he who is their head, could never be quite extinguished nor beaten down in his humilation: Yea, was by means of it raised to glory, and to the possession of his Kingdom over all the world.

Isaiah 42:6

In rightunesse] that is to say, by a just establishment, contrary to worldly Kingdoms, which are all grounded upon violence. Or by an order established by my will, which is the rule of all manner of righteousnesse Give thee] that is to say, I will make thee an acceptable and effectuall mediator, between me and my Church, upon which I have founded myovenant, Isaiah 49:8. For a light] to invite and bring the Gentiles into the same covenant of grace.

Isaiah 42:7

To open] to illuminate their understanding by the power of my Spirit The prisoners] namely, those men which were slaves to sin, death, the divel, and damnation.

Isaiah 42:8

ill I not give] for to establish my Sonnes Kingdome, I will beate downe all manner of idolatrie.

Isaiah 42:9

The former things] he seemes to meane the whole order of nature, which was established in the creation, and hath been so preserved without varying, Psalms 119:89-90. to which he opposeth that of grace in Christ Jesus. Or the particular prophecies, which were from time to time prophecied to the Church, and accomplished in their due seasons.

Isaiah 42:10

Sing] let all the world rejoyce and give God thankes for these things, for the benefits thereof shall be scattered abroad indifferently every where.

Isaiah 42:11

That Kedar] namely, the people of Arabia that dwell in Tents and Cabins.

Isaiah 42:13

The Lord] an allgoricall description of Christs spirituall victories, by the powerful voice of his Gospel.

Isaiah 42:14

I have] I have endured, and dissembled the injuries which Satans kingdome hath for a long while done to me, Acts 17:30. Romans 3:26. but now I will destroy it, by the power of my Gospel, which is the cry of a travelling woman, that is to say, accomplishment of all Gods promises.

Isaiah 42:15

I will make waste] that is to say, I will destroy all high powers that shall rebell against my kingdome, and send the fire of my curse upon them, Luke 12:49.

Isaiah 42:16

I will bring] I will safely and rightly conduct mine elect, enlightning them by my grace who otherwise by nature are blinde. I will I say, conduct them in the way of their spirituall vocation, by means unknown and incomprehensible to the fle.

Isaiah 42:18

Ye deaf] the Lord directeth his speech to his people, whom he reproveth for their hardnesse and rebellion, and chiefly for their idolaty

Isaiah 42:19

Who is blinde] namely, through a voluntary ignorance, see Isaiah 32:3. Ezech. 12. 2. My servant] namely, my people My messenger] namely, the Priests and other Governours of my people, which should have taught my people my will, and have brought them tidings of my grace towards them, Ml. 2. 7. 2 Corinthians 5:20. That is perfect] namely, in all Gods gifts and graces, Ezekiel 16:14.

Isaiah 42:20

Opening] he makes shew of lending the eare of the body, but my word entreth not into his heart.

Isaiah 42:21

For his] namely, to shew the loyalty of his promises, and his equity and beneficence towards those that doe fear and serve him He will magniie] that is to say, by his innumerable benefits towards his elect, he did gain much honour to his Law and Covenant, because the observers and keepers thereof were so highly recompensed.

Isaiah 42:23

Who] an outry or exclamation to call the people to repentance.