Isaiah 50

The Lord testifieth that he is not the cause of the rejection of the Jews, but their own sins, ver.1, etc. with a relation of his power, 2. Christ relateth how faithfully he hath executed his office, 4. Even with reproach and sufferings, 6. By the help of his heavenly father, 7. He exhorteth the believing Jews to trust in the LORD, 10 and threateneth the wicked with hell torments, 11.

1. Thus saith the LORD, where is the bill of your mothers divorcement, wherewith I have sent her away? [that is, have left her: that is to say in this place, have caused her to be carried away captive. God speaketh here to the wicked Jews, with whom it was a custom in time past, to give their wives a bill of divorcement, when they liked them not, Deuteronomy 24:1. So did not God deal with the people of the Jews, as that should send them away to Babel without some great and special cause, given on their part, for they did often most grievously and abominably sin against him. Concerning the giving of a bill of divorcement, see Deut.24.on vers.1.] or which of my creditors is it, to whom I have sold you? [It was wont to be a lawful and usual thing among the Jews, that a father that was in debt, and had not wherewithal to pay, or give satisfaction to the creditor, might sel his daughter for a bond-woman, Exod.21.7. and 2 Kings 4:1. although the children had not deserved it: but so did not God deal with the Jews, but he sold them for their iniquities; that is, delivered them into the hands of the Babylonians for their sins and transgressions, as followeth in the next words of the text] behold, for your iniquities are ye sold, and for your transgressions is your mother sent away.

2. Wherefore came I, and there was no man? [To wit, that heard, and obeyed my word, when I called you to repentance, and offered you my grace by my servants the Prophets] (wherefore) called I, and none answered? Is mine hand grown so extreme short, [Heb. Growning short short] that it cannot redeem? Or is there no power in me to deliver? [as if the Lord had said, is it therefore that ye would not hear nor obey me, because ye doubted of my omnipotence, as if I were not able to deliver you out of your misery?] behold, at my rebuke I dry up the Sea, I make the rivers wilderness, [as appeared in the red sea, Exod.14.21. and in the river Jordan, Jos.3.16. As if the Lord had said, Inasmuch as I am able to do this, I want no power to deliver you. Of Gods rebuking, see Psal.9.on ver.6. and 18.16. and 104.7.] (so) that their fish slinketh because there is no water, and dieth for thirst.

3. I cloth the heaven with blackness, [That is, darkness: that is, I cover the heaven with dark clouds whensoever I please. See Exod.20.21.] and make a sack [that is, a dark cloud, as a sack or hairy garment] the covering thereof.

4. The Lord LORD hath given me the tongue of the learned, [That is, of them that have diligently learned the word of God, and are led and governed by his spirit. See Mat.10.ver.19.20. The Lord Christ, or the Prophet in Christs name speaketh this: and understand here by the Lord LORD, God the Father] that I should know to speak a word in due season [The Hebrew word that is here used, signifieth as much as to speak or do a thing in due time] to the weary one: [that is, to poor dejected souls or drooping spirits, them do I comfort and cheer up. See Mat.11.28.] he wakeneth every morning; [Heb. In morning in morning. That is, he maketh me continually mindful of mine office by the inward working of his holy spirit, and he maketh me willing and ready to do his will] he wakeneth mine ear to hear with diligence and attention, as those do, that wish and desire to be taught. The meaning is, he maketh me to hear his word willingly, and to understand it aright: he instructeth me diligently as a master doth his scholar, making me apt to learn and obedient.]

5. The Lord LORD hath opened mine ear, etc. I am not rebellious, I turn not back. [That is, he made me willing and apt to do that which he commanded and enjoined me. See Job.14.31. Phil.2.8. Heb.10.5, etc.]

6. I give my back to them that smite (me) and my cheek to them that pluck out (mine) hair: [Or, to them that plucked out (mine) hairs, or flayed me, plucked off (my) skin. The meaning is, I suffer all harm, shame and reproach, that is offered unto me, with patience and contentment. See Matth.26.ver.27,67, etc. and chap.27.vers.20.] I hide not my face from reproaches, [or from manifold reproach] and spitting. See the Annotat. Job chap.30.on ver.10.]

7. For the Lord LORD helpeth me, therefore I am not confounded, therefore have I set my face like a flint-stones; [that is, I overcome all wrong, that is offered unto me, with patience and constancy. See the like phrase, Jerem.1.18. and 25.20. Ezech.3. vers.8,9.] for I know that I shall not be ashamed.

8. He is near that justifieth me, who will contend with me? Let us stand together: [As if Christ had said, God my heavenly father will bring mine innocence to light, to wit, partly by the miracles that shall be wrought in my death, partly by the miracles that shall be wrought in my death, partly in my resurrection from the grave, and exaltation at his right hand. Others take the first words of this verse thus: as if Christ had said, he assisteth me, and defendeth me against mine adversaries. Compare Rom.8.32.] who hath a controversy against me? [or, who hath cause to plead with me? Heb. Who is a Lord of my judgement? See Genes.14.on verse.13.] let him come hither to me. [or let him come hear to me. As if he had said, let him join and come up close to me.]

9. Behold, the Lord LORD helpeth me, who is he (that) shall condemn me? [To wit, justly. Heb. Shall make me wicked?] lo, they all [to wit, all mine adversaries] shall wax old as a garment, the moth shall eat them (up).

10. Who is there among you that feareth the LORD, [here Christ speaketh to the voice of his servant? [that is, to my voice, who am the LORDS servant, as above chap.42.1. and 49.5.] when he, [or that] walketh in darknesses, and hath no light; [that is, though he live in misery. See Psal.23.4. See also above chap.9.1.] let him trust in the name of the LORD, and stay upon his God. [that is, let him rely upon that God, that hath made a gracious covenant with him.]

11. Behold, all ye that kindled a fire, that gird yourselves about with sparks: [That is, which utter wisdom out of your own hearts, without the word of God, which alone is the light of our seet: Thinking by your own wisdom to prevent and turn away misery and calamity. Here Christ speaketh unto false Teachers, to wit, to the Scribes and Pharisees] walk in the flame of your fire, and in the sparks (which) ye have kindled; [The meaning is, do whatsoever you will or may, use all the tricks & devices that ye can invent, walk on after your own fancy and imagination, seeing ye will by no means walk in the light of Gods word, which I tender and preach unto you] that [or this] happeneth to you of mine hand, ye shall lie (down) in sorrow, [that , or this cometh to you of mine hand; whereby I do justly give you up to such perverseness and blindness of heart; therefore shall ye neither be able to escape judgement (ye shall lie (down) in sorrow) to wit, in hell torment, in sorrow and trouble of conscience. A bad conscience is a gnawing worm that never dieth.]