Isaiah 32

2 a man. That is, the King spoken of in ver. 1. To a traveller in the East, shelter from the winds of the desert, with their suffocating clouds of dust, water to quench thirst, and shade from the scorching sun, would be inestimable blessings. “Temptations keep far away from the heart that keeps near to Christ” (G. A. Smith).

4 the rash. Or, precipitate. Stammerers, hesitating. Two extremes.

5. The vile person, etc. i.e., there will be a due discrimination of character; and persons and things will be called by their right names.

7. The instruments. The means which he uses to increase his wealth.

8 by liberal things shall be stand. Or, “and to liberal things he will stand”; i.e., he will persevere in them.

12. They shall lament for the teats. “They (mase.) shall smite upon their breasts” (R.V.), in token of grief.

13 houses of joy. “Happy homes.” 14 The forts and towers. Rather, “Ophel and the watch-tower”: see note on 2 Chron. xxvii. 3.

15 the fruitful field be counted for a forest. See note on xxix. 17. Here the thought is that “the whole would be so glorious that what was now valued as a fruit-garden would be thrown into the shade by something far more glorious still, in comparison with which it would have the appearance of a wild domain” (Delitzsch). The “breath” which makes the wilderness fruitful is an emblem of the power by which moral and spiritual renovation is produced.

17 quietness and assurance. As the effusion of the Spirit produces righteousness, so the prevalence of righteousness causes universal peace amongst men: see note on Psa. lxxii. 3. For “assurance” the R.V. has “confidence.”

19. When it shall hail. Rather, as R.V., “But it shall hail, at the downfall of the forest.” The “forest” denotes Sennacherib’s army; and the “city” is either Nineveh, the metropolis of Assyria, or the ideal fortress of the world-power: comp. xxv. 2; xxvi. 5, 6.

20. Blessed are ye that sow beside all waters. Those who expect the fulfilment of these glorious promises are thus encouraged to patient obedience in the dark and difficult times that must intervene.