Isaiah 48

Isaiah 48:1

As it was - As there was another high - way from Egypt. All impediments shall be removed, and a way made for the return of God’s Israel from all parts of the world. He mentions Assyria, because thither the ten tribes were carried, whose case seemed to be most desperate.

Isaiah 48:3

In that day - When this great work of the reduction of Israel, and conversion of the Gentiles is fulfilled.

Isaiah 48:4

God - My salvation hath not been brought to pass by man, but by the almighty power of God.

Isaiah 48:5

With joy - Your thirsty souls shall be filled with Divine graces and comforts, which you may draw from God, in the use of gospel - ordinances.

Isaiah 48:10

The burden - This title is commonly given to sad prophecies, which indeed are grievous burdens to them on whom they are laid. Babylon - Of the city and empire of Babylon by Cyrus.

Isaiah 48:11

A banner - To gather soldiers together. Mountain - Whence it may be discerned at a considerable distance. Withal he seems to intimate, that their enemies should come from the mountainous country of Media. Them - To the Medes. Shake - Beckon to them with your hand, that they may come to this service, that they may go and fight against Babylon, and take it, and so enter in to the palaces of the king, and his princes.

Isaiah 48:12

Sanctified ones - The Medes and Persians, so called, because they were set apart by God, for this holy work of executing his just vengeance. Mighty ones - Those whom I have made mighty for this work. Highness - Or, as others render it, in my glory, in the doing of that work which tends to the advancement of my glory. Tho’ the Medes had no regard to God, but only to their own ends.

Isaiah 48:13

Nations - The Medes and Persians and other nations, which served under them in this war.

Isaiah 48:14

Thy come - From the ends of the earth under heaven, which is not to be understood strictly. The weapons - The Medes and Persians, who were but a rod in God’s hand, and the instruments of his anger. Land - Of Babylon.

Isaiah 48:16

Amazed - To see so impregnable a city as Babylon, so easily and unexpectedly taken. Flames - Heb. faces of flame, inflamed with rage and torment.

Isaiah 48:18

Behold - Divers words are heaped together, to signify the extremity of his anger.

Isaiah 48:19

Constellations - Which consist of many stars, and therefore give a greater sight. Darkened - All things shall look darkly and dismally; men shall have no comfort or hope. Going forth - As soon as he rises. As soon as they have any appearance or hope of amendment, they shall be instantly disappointed.

Isaiah 48:20

The world - The Babylonish empire, which is called the world, as the Roman empire afterwards was, because it was extended to a great part of the world.

Isaiah 48:21

More precious - The city and nation shall be so depopulated.

Isaiah 48:22

Therefore - A poetical and prophetical description of great horrors and confusions, as if heaven and earth were about to meet together.