Isaiah 65
DortA prophet of the calling of the Gentiles, verse 1 and rejection of the Jews for their rebellion and idolatry, 2 and other sins, 4 But the pentent are promised that they shall de delivered, 8 but the forsakes of God are solely threatened, 11 and the servants of God comforted, 13 especially with the promise of eternal life, 17 Typified by the new Jerusalem, 18 and other types 20.
1. I am found [Heb, properly sought. Understanding with all and found, as it is said Romans 10:20. etc. this phrase; to wit, seeking for seeking and finding, Eccles.3.6 and compare Gen.12 on ver.15] of them, that asked not (for me) Heb, that asked not. This the Lord speaketh: and it is a prophesy concerning the calling of the Gentiles, and the rejection of the Jews] i am found of them that sought me not: [that is, of the Gentiles. That was aliens from the common-wealth of Israel. Ephe.2.62.] i said unto a nation that was not called by my name, [Understand here also the Gentiles that were in times past were not called the people of God. See Romans 9:24,25,26. [Behold, (here) am i, behold, (here) am i, [that is, i offer myself for your good: to wit, in and by the preaching of the gospel]
2. I have spread out mine hand all the day unto a rebellion people, [that is, i have caused the Jews to be continually called and instructed by the preaching of the prophets, and afterward by the Apostles, but they laid it not to heart. When the scripture saith that men spread forth or stretch out their hands, it signifieth praying, as Exodus 9:29 and 1 Kings 8:22. see the Annotat. There. But when it is said, that God spreadeth forth his hands, it signifieth preaching as, as here and Proverbs 1:24. see the Annotat. There (unto a rebellious) see Above chapter 1 on verse 23. The Apostle Paul following the Greek interpreter rendereth it unto a disobedient and gain-saying people, and he saith that this is spoken to Israel, Rom.10.21.] which walk in a way that is not good, [As Psal. 36.5. the word way is used sometimes in Scripture for religion, as Acts chapter 18. Ver. 25, 26. And chap.22 ver.4.] after their (own) thoughts. [it is said, Psal. 94.11. that the thoughts of a man are vanity itself. See like Psal.81.13.]
3. A people provoking me continually [to wit, by their idolatry and abomination. See 32.16 to my face: [that is, openly, boldly, impudently, contrary to Gods commandment Exodus 20:3. see above chapter 1 verse 11.] offering in gardens, [to wit, under green trees, after the manner of idolaters. See above chapter 1.29. and above chapter 66.17.] and burning incense upon bricks, [that is, upon idolatrous, alters, that were made of bricks, despising God’s golden alert which Solomon had caused to be made, 1 kings 7.48.]
4. Sitting by the graves [to enquire of the dead for the living, above chap.8.19 which abomination in the fight of God. Deuteronomy 18:11,12. Above chap.2.6 and 8.19.] thy overnight with them that are kept, [that is according to the opinion of some among the Idols or images of false Gods, which kept and protected nothing, but were to be kept and watched left they should be stolen; but other understand it of dead bodies, which those that had skill in the magic art, were wont to keep and to tarry with them in the night time, to ask counsel of them. Others, they overnight in the desert places, or in mountains] eating swines flesh, [against the express command of God to the contrary, (as being an unclean thing) Levit.11.17. Deut.14.8] and there is broth of the flesh of beasts that were forbidden, which were an abomination unto the Lord, when a man did eat them. Others, pieces of unclean, or stinking, or rotten (flesh) is in their vessels. See the annotate. Levit. 7.18. but under the above recited abominations must here be understood all manner of transgressions against the law of God]
5. Which say, [To wit, to the prophet, that goeth about to reprove them, and to exhort them to repentance] keep thee to thy self and come not near to me, [that is, tarry away from me come not near me: trouble thy self] for i am holier the thou: [or holy in comparison of thee. They are the words of boosters & hypocrites, disdain others, as if they themselves were very holy men, whereas in deed they were most unclean. See Prov.30.12. Luk.18.11. Rom.2.17] these are a smoke in my nose that is they are very loathsome unto me, therefore i will consume them in my wrath. Others, they are a smoak in mine anger, that is, they deserve great punishment which shall also befall them in mine anger. Thus smoak is taken for great punishment, above chapter 14.31. Revel.18.9, 18 and 19.3. and elsewhere besides] a fire burning all the day, [that is, burning continually. So that this is to ne understood of hell fire that burneth always, Mark 9:45, 46,48.]
6. Behold it,[to wit, the idolatrous disposition of the Jews, whereof is spoken immediately] is written before my face: to wit, that it may not be forgotten; i will surely punish it in due time, see Exod.17.14. Deut.32.34. see the Annotat. There, and Jerem.17.1] i will not keep silence, [understand this keeping of silence, not so much of being silent in words, as to keep oneself quiet indeed, as Kudg.82.9. see the Annotat. There. See also the Annotat. 1 Kings 22. On verse 3] but i will recompense, ye i will recompense into their bosom, [that is, abundantly in full measure, as Psal.78. see the Annotat. There on ver.12.]
7. Your iniquities, and the iniquities of your fathers together saith the LORD, which have burnt incense upon the mountains and have reproaches me [or has defied me] upon the hills: [to wit, by their false worship. See Psal. 106.20, 21.] therefore will i measures back their former wages [or their first wages; to wit, which they have deserved by their evil deeds. See above chapter 40 on verse 10 and 62.11.] into their bosom.
8. Thus saith the LORD, as when new wine is found in a clots of grapes, they say destroy it not, [to wit, the grape] for a blessing:] that is good wine proceeding from the blessing of God, and for which he is to be blessed and praised] is in it: so will i do it for my servant sake, [that is, because of the godly among the Jews which serve me faithfully] that i may not destroy them all [that is, that i may not destroy all the people. Others, that i may not destroy all. Here the Lord sheweth that when any man is minded to pluck up a vine, because it beareth not good fruit, yet he spareth it, if he fended but some good grapes upon it: so will the Lord likewise spare the small remnant of Israelites, because of the small number of his elect. Compare herewith above chap.17 on ver.6 and Romans 11:5.]
9. And i will bring forth [Or bring out; to wit, first out of the Babylonian captivity and secondly, out of the spiritual captivity of the devil] seed [that is, some few, as Rom.9.29. see above chap.1.9. with the Annotat] out of Jacob, [the meaning is, i will increase and bless my church] and out of Juda an inheritor of my mountains: [that is, a small company that shall possess and inherit the mountains (of my mountains) that is, of the land of Juda which was mountainous. The Church or congregations of believers, and likewise the Kingdome of heaven, are typified by the mountainous land of Canaan, especially by Mt Zion, See Ezek. 36..1,] and mine elect shall hereditarily possess it, [to wit, the land, as Matth.5.5 or Jerusalem, as below ver.19] and my servants shall dwell there.
10. And Sharon shall be a sheepfold [That is, their flocks shall feed i fruitful places, by words is signified the abundance of blessings; by which words is signified the abundance of blessings which the church ad every member thereof should receive at the hands of God. For Sharon was a fruitful and pleasant valley. See 1 Chron.5.16 and 27, 29. Cant.2.1 above chap.33.9] and the valley of Anchor [this was also a fruitful valley laying hard by Jericho. See Jos.7.26. Hos.2.15.] a resting place for Oxen, or a place where cattle shall be down and rest] for my people that have sought me.
11. But ye forsakes of the Lord, the forgetters of the mountain of my holiness, [Or ye that forget my holy mountain, that is, my temple and the true worship of God which ought to be exercised in my Temple. He speaketh to the unbelieving Jews. See Rom.10.21. see also Psal.106.21.] the preparers of a table for that hand, [the meaning is, after ye have performed your idolatrous offering, ye sit down at the table and eat of such offerings. The Hebrew word rendered here band, signifieth a band, a troop, a heap, or host. See Gen.35.11. Some understand the host of heaven, the sun, the moon, and stars. Compare Jeremiah 7:18 ad 8.2 and 19.13. Others retain the word God in the text, and understand hereby, some Jupiter, others Mars, and others fortune, others the sun, others the whole company of false Gods.] and the fillers up [or the mingles, as Prov.23.20.] of drink for that number.] that is, to the honour of the stars, that are many in number. Heb. Lament Some retain this word in the text, as if it were the name of some Idol. Others take it to be a certain number of stars altogether, and render it, for as many as may be numbered; to wit, unto as many idols as it is possible for any to number, that is unto a very great number. Some understand by this word the moon]
12. I will also number you to the sword, [Or go to, i will number you, this hath respect to the word number, ver. 11. The meaning is, go to, MAs much as ye trespass in number, i will likewise punish you in number, and as many as i do number shall perish by the sword] (so) that ye shall also bow down to the slaughter, [that is, ye shall be sain to bow down and stretch out your necks unto those that shall kill you] because i called, [to wit, by the mouth of my prophets, by whom i caused my will to be declared unto you. Compare her with Proverbs 1:24. Jeremiah 7:13,27. Below chapter 66.4 and Matthew 23:34.] but ye did not answers; i spake but ye heard not, but did that which was evil in mine eyes and choose that wherein i look no delight.
13. Therefore thus saith the Lord LORD, behold, my servants shall eat, but ye shall be hungry: behold, my servants shall drink, but ye shall be thirsty: [understand here by eating and drinking, the enjoying of the good gifts of God. See Psalm 36 on verse 9. See also Leviticus 26:10] behold my servants shall rejoice, nut shall be ashamed.
14. Behold my servants shall shout for good heart, [Heb for goodness of heart that is, for joy, see Jud. 16 on ver. 25] and ye shall howl for breaking of spirit.
15. And ye shall leave your name for a curse, [or for an oath. Oftentimes oaths were made of wishing of evil, or with cursing. In Numbers 5:21. it is said an oath of cursing. See the Annotat there. The form of such oaths of cursing was, the Lord make thee as this or that man, as appeareth Jeremiah 29:22. That is, let those plagues and curses light upon thee, which have lighted on this or that man by the just judgement of God. See on the contrary the form of blessing of this or that man. Genesis 48:20] and the Lord LORD shall flay you. [that is, every one of you] but he shall call his servants by another name. [that is, they shall be no more called Israelites, but the Christians, Acts 11:26. see Genesis 32:28. Also a new name signifieth sometimes a new and better condition, as above chapter 62.2. see the Annotations there]
16. So that whosever shall bless himself [that is, whosoever shall wish all good things, happiness and prosperity to himself. See Genesis 29. On verse 19.] on earth, the same shall bless himself in the God of Truth: [that is, in the true God. Others, in the God Amen, or in the God of Amen: whereby is meant our Lord Jesus Christ who is the true God and eternal life, 1 John 5:20 and he is called the Amen, Revel. 3.14 and in him shall all the kindreds of the earth bless themselves] and whosoever shall swear on earth, [Swearing is a part of God worship. See Psal. 63 on verse 12] the same shall swear by the God of Truth, [see the former note on the words, the God of truth] because the former troubles [that is, as well the miseries that my people have endured, as the causes thereof, to wit, their sins] shall be forgotten and because they are hid from mine eyes.
17. for behold i create [Heb. I am creating; that is, I am ready to create. See also ver. 18] new heavens, and a new earth: [the meaning is, i will renew all things in Christ; Or, i will so renew and repair the whole slate of the church, as if so be i created a new heaven and a new earth. This indeed was presently performed at the first coming of Christ, by the preaching of the Gospel, and the working of the holy ghost, who was richly imparted unto the faithful of the New Testament: but it shall not be fully accomplished until the second coming of the Lord, when he shall take up his Church into the Kingdom of heaven. See below chapter 66.22. 2 Pet.3.13. Revel. 21.1. (and a new earth that is, the earthly Gentiles shall be as it were made new by their calling to the knowledge of the Gospel. See Psal. 97.1. and 98. 3,4. Revl.21.2.] and the former things shall be no (more) remembered, neither shall (they) ascend into the heart. [that is, come into mind, or in remembrance. See the Annotat. Jerem. 3. On ver. 16. And chapter 7. On ver.31.]
18. But be you glad, and rejoice for ever (in) that which i created: [Or, (our) that which i create others, rejoice forever, ye whom i create new; to wit, in Christ Jesus. See Psalms 102:19. Ephes.2.10.] for behold i created Jerusalem a rejoicing, [That is, i will fill my Church and all the member thereof with everlasting and heavenly joy; for here mention is made of the heavenly Jerusalem] end her people [to wit, the people of the city of Jerusalem] a joy.
19. And i will rejoice over [that is, because of. Compare Deuteronomy 28:63.] Jerusalem. See above chap.62.5.] and be joyful over [that is, because of, as before] my people: and the voice of weeping shall be no more heard in her,] that is, in Jerusalem; to wit, in the heavenly Jerusalem] nor the voice of crying [For all tears shall be wiped away their eyes. See above chap.25.8 and 30.19. and Revel. 7.17 and 21.4.]
20. (there) shall be no more thence [Or, from thence [to wit, from Jerusalem] a suckling, [or, a suckling child, as above chapter 49.15.] of (few) days, Heb. A suckling of days; that is, an infant, or child that dieth when its but a year old: for days do sometime signify a year: as 1 Samuel 2:19. it is said the offering of days, for the yearly offering] nor an old man, that shall not fill his days. [To wit, those days which belong to a common age] for a young man shall die whilest they are yet children: they are somewhat old, as at 60 or 70 years of age, but few that live out their full age and attain to an hundred years: but then it shall happen to the one as to the other, to the young as to the old. They shall all fill up their days. This he comfirmeth thus, for a young man being an hundred years old, shall die: that is, a child shall not die a child, but it shall fill up the full time of its life, but a sinner of an hundred years shall accused; that is, a child shall be happier in the kingdom of Christ, then an old man in the kingdom of the world, for a child shall in the kingdom of Christ attain to a happy perfection of life: but in the kingdom of the world, a sinner when he shall seem to have attained to the perfection of life, shall be accursed. Others take it and expound it thus: (there shall be no more thence a suckling (or infant) of days, no an old man, whose days shall not be filled: but a sinner of an hundred years shall be accused: that is, the longer he shall live, the more curses he shall be subject unto]
21. and they [to wit, servant, ver. 13] shall build houses and inhabit (them): and they shall plant vineyards and eat the fruit of them. [that is, they shall be made to rejoice with all manner of blessings of God. Compare Deut.28.3, and Levit.26.4, to16. Howbeit under temporal blessings, which God propomiseth in the law must here and elsewhere be understood spiritual and eternal blessing?
22. they shall not build that another may inhabit it: they shall not plant, that another may eat it: [this verse sheweth, that they shall be freed from those curses which the law threateneth to the disobedient, Deuteronomy 28:30] for the days of my people shall be as the days of a tree, [that is, firm, stable, permanent. See Psal.52.10 and 92.13.] and more elect shall wear out [or make old or, make perpetual] the work of their hands. [that is, they shall long enjoy the work of their hands, because they shall live long.]
23. they shall not labour in vain, [Or, for vanity see Levit. 26.16, to 20] nor bring forth for trouble: [Namely so, as that their children should be slain by the enemies, or be carried away captive. See Deut. 28. Ver. 32 to 41.] for they are [or, but they shall be the seed] that is, the children] of the blessed of the LORD, and their posterity [that is their children’s children. See above chap.44.3.] with them.
24. And it shall come to pass, that before they call i will answer [for God kneweth what we have need of before we pray, Matth.6,8 Psal.145.18. and see an example, Genes. 24.15] whiles they yet speak i will hear.
25. The wolf and the shall seed together, [Heb as one] and the lion [the Hebrew word signifieth properly a renting lion] shall eat straw as an ox, that is, cruel wicked men shall be changed, and become as little as children. See Matth. 18.3 and above chapter 11 ver. 6, 7,8,9] and dust shall be the serpents meat: [Heb. Her bread. The meaning is, the serpent shall he lid in her holes and shall not seek to hurt any, but shall be contented to eat dust, as God had appointed, Genesis 3:14.] they shall do not hurt, no destroy in all my holy mountain, saith the LORD.