Isaiah 59

The Prophet sheweth that the cause was not in the Lords hand, that the Jews were not delivered, but that their sins did hinder it, ver.1, etc. Which sins are related from ver.3.to ver.9. They confess their sins, ver.9. Whereupon followeth a promise that God would deliver his people, and punish their enemies; that he would send the redeemer unto them, and govern them forever by his spirit and word, 16.etc.

1. Behold the LORDS hand is not shortened, that it should not be able to deliver: [Compare Num.11.23. above chap.50.2.] neither is his ear grown heavy, that is should not be able to hear.

2. But your iniquities make a separation between you and between your God, and your sins hide (his) face [That is, cause him to hide his face] from you that he doth not hear, [to wit, your prayers, that is, that he doth not help you.]

3. For your hands [Heb. Your palms. See above chap.1.15.] are defiled with blood, and your fingers with iniquity: our lips speak falsehood, [or lies] your tongue deviseth [or uttereth wrong.]

4. There is none that calleth for justice, [Namely so as to dehort them that deal unjustly; or to defend the innocent, or to maintain a just cause and the truth to the utmost of his power, as followeth] nor any that appeareth in judgement for the truth: they trust in vanity, and speak lies, they conceive trouble [which they would fain practise against their neighbour] and they bring forth iniquity, [or vanity: and so verse 6,7. Compare Job 15:35. Psal.7.15.]

5. They hatch Cockatrice eggs, [Heb. They split out Cockatrice eggs. That is, they have venomous and mischievous plots in hand: as the cockatrice cannot hatch anything but that which is venomous and poisonous; so there cometh nothing from the wicked but that which is hurtful] and they weave spiders webs: [that is, they lay plots to catch and devour others, as a spider catcheth flies and gnats with her web, and afterward killeth and eateth them up. See Job 8:14.] he that eateth of their eggs, [that is, he that is partaker of their plots: or he that keepeth acquaintance, or is familiar with them] must die; when it is crushed in pieces, there breaketh forth a viper, [to wit, when eggs is crushed in pieces. Others, if anyone he sprinkled therewith, or if any spread it abroad; that is, if any one will not eat it, but casteth it down, that it be spread upon the ground, then there breaketh forth a viper; that is, if anyone discover and hinder the plots of wicked men, they are incensed again him, and seek to do him a mischief.]

6. Their webs are not for good garments, [Heb. Shall not become garments. [That is, their plots shall bring them no profit] neither shall they be able to cover themselves with their works: [that is, not be able to defend themselves in time of trouble] their works are works of iniquity, and a work of cruelty [or of violence] is in their hands.

7. Their feet run to evil, [That is, they are so prone to wickedness, that when they know of any mischief to be done anywhere, they do not go, but run to it. These words the Apostle quoteth, Rom.3.15. to prove that the Jews are sinners, and are corrupt by nature as well as they Gentiles] and they make hast to shed innocent blood: their thoughts are thoughts of iniquity, destruction and breaking is in their paths. [That is, they endeavour after nothing else, then to hurt and disgrace their neighbour.

8. The way of peace they know not, etc. there is no judgement in their goings: [That is, there is no truth nor equity to be found in them. See Job 34.on ver.4.] their paths they make perverse for themselves, [that is, they make unto themselves crooked paths] whosoever goeth therein [that is, whosoever converseth with them, or followeth their wicked practise] the same doth not know peace.

9. Therefore is judgement far from us, neither doth justice overtake us: [That is, therefore God doth not execute judgement or vengeance upon our enemies, but suffered them yet daily to oppress and afflict us. So that judgement here signifieth as much as help or deliverance, as ver.11, and 14.] we wait for light, see above chap.58. the Annotat. On verse 8.] but lo, there is darkness, [that is, sorrow and adversity] for great brightness, (but) we walk in darknesses.

10. We grope for the wall like the blind. [See Job 5.on ver.14. and chap.12.ver.25. and compare Deut.28.29.] and we grope like those that have eyes: we stumble at noon day as in the twilight, we are in desolate places as dead men. [Others, in fatness, or fat places; whereof the meaning would be, we are indeed in prosperity, and in plenty of all things, in a good and fat land, yet we are as dead men in the midst of blessings, we cannot enjoy the rich blessings of God, in regard we are so distressed by our enemies.]

11. We roar all like bears, we sigh continually [Or peep, mutter, as above chap.38.14. Heb sighing we sigh] as doves: we wait for judgement, [See above on ver.9.] for salvation, (but) it is far from us.

12. For our transgressions are many before thee, and our sins testify [Heb. Our sins testify [Heb. Our sins testifieth; that is, everyone of our sins,] against us: for our transgressions are with us, [that is, within us in our consciences, we cannot deny them, they accompany and follow us every where] and our iniquities we know them.

13. Transgressing and lying against the LORD, and turning backward from our God: [See above chap.57.11.] speaking of oppression and revolt, [how they shall oppress their neighbour, and how they shall depart away from God] conceiving [to wit, in our hearts, as in a womb] and imagining [as above verse 3.] of false words from the heart.

14. Therefore judgement is turned backward, and justice standeth afar of: [See above ver.9. But others thus, and judgement is driven backward: in this sense, as being a confession and a further relation of their sad condition, as they had said, all things are amiss with us, there is neither judgement nor justice, nor truth to be found with us] for truth stumbleth in the street, [that is, truth is oppressed, no man is troubled about it, nor defendeth it] and that which is right [or equity, or uprightness] cannot enter.

15. Yea truth faileth, [That is, it is no more to be found] and he that departeth from evil maketh himself a prey: [Others, maketh himself to be accounted an unwise man] and the LORD saw it, and it was evil in his eyes, that there was no judgement.

16. Because he saw that there was no man, [To wit that helped us, or besought God for the people, or (as many understand it) that any one being but a mere man, should be able to be a mediator between God and man] he was amazed, because there was no intercessor: therefore his arm brought salvation unto him, and his righteousness it sustained him. [The meaning is, Christ by his divine power wrought salvation for his Church. See below chap.63.5.]

17. For he [To wit, the Lord] put on righteousness as an habergeon, and the helmet of salvation (he set) upon his head, and he put on the garments of vengeance (for) as a cloche. [It is spoken of God after the manner of men; as if he had said, that which moveth the Lord to redeem his people, is first, his justice or truth, and that salvation which he had promised his people. Secondly, his wrath and vengeance against his enemies. See Ezek.6.17. 1 Thess.5.8.]

18. Even according to works [Or according to deeds, or deserts] even according to them will he recompense fury to his adversaries, recompense to his enemies: to the Islands [that is, to them that dwell in the Islands that is, to foreign nations that ly far off, to wit, those that persecute the people of God. See above chap.41.1.] will he recompense (the) reward.

19. Then shall they fear the name of the LORD, [To wit, when they shall see this redemption of the people of God [from the going down, and his glory from the rising of the sun: when the enemy shall come like a stream, [the meaning is, the enemies of the Church shall indeed bring all the forces they are able to make, to ruine and destroy the people of God, falling upon the children of God like an overflowing river: but they shall be beaten back, yea smitten down to the ground by the power of our Saviour. See Psal.124.4. Rev.12.15.] the spirit of the LORD shall set up the banner against him, [that is, shall come against him with exalted banner, or shall chase him away.]

20. And there shall come a redeemer [To wit, Christ Jesus] unto Zion, [or for Zion, that is, for the elect Jews, for the true Israelites, for the faithful and penitent. Compare Rom.1.25, etc.] namely for them that turn from their transgression in Jacob, [that is, among Jacobs posterity. See above chap.10.ver.21,22.] saith the LORD.

21. As for me, this is my covenant with thee saith the LORD, my spirit that is upon thee, [To wit, upon thee, O Christ, as head of the Church, from whom spiritual gifts, as a precious balsom, run down upon all the members of thy body. Compare Psal.133.2.] and my words which I have put in thy mouth, they shall not depart out of thy mouth, nor out of the mouth of thy seed, [that is, of thine elect which are thy spiritual children. Compare Romans 9.verse 6,7,8.] nor out of the mouth of thy seeds seed, saith the LORD, from henceforth forever.