イザヤ書 42:16-19 JCB

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 42:16

I will bring the blind by a way that they knew not . "The blind" here can only be captive Israel, still dim-sighted from the effect of its old sins against light, and therefore greatly needing God's guidance. God promises to "bring them" out of captivity "by a way not hitherto known to them"—the way of voluntary release by the favour of a new king (see the comment on Isaiah 42:9 ). I will make darkness light before them ; either, I will illuminate with rays of light and hope the dark... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 42:16

Light and right. "I will make darkness light before them, and crooked things straight." These words are prophecy and history also; for Christ has fulfilled these words. I. DANKNESS ILLUMINED . There was: 1 . Darkness over the face of God . 2 . Darkness over the destiny of man . But Christ has revealed the Divine fatherhood, and brought life and immortality to light. II. WRONG RIGHTENED . Crooked or warped things have been twisted or "wrung"—from which our word... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 42:16

The unrecognized path "I will bring the blind by a way that they knew not; I will lead them in paths that they have not known." The general truth here is that the all-wise God is working on our behalf in ways which are mysterious at the time. If we consider our finiteness and his infinity, our ignorance and his omniscience, we shall see that this must be so. If we consider how little we can understand of the great designs of the wisest of mankind when we have but a partial view of them, we... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 42:16

The surprising Life-Guide. "I will bring the blind by a way that they knew not." Only the figure is taken from the gracious Divine arrangements made for the return of the captives from Babylon. That is indeed prominent in the prophet's mind, but only as illustrative of God's constant dealings as the Life-Guide of his people. Let us, in any vivid and impressive way, see God's working and providing in any one instance, and we learn what he really is, and what he really does, in all... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 42:17

They shall be turned back , etc. While the people of God are led by God's hand through new paths, and are illumined with abundant light, and have their difficulties smoothed away from before them. their idolatrous oppressors will be "turned back" or suffer defeat, and be put to shame, finding no help from their idols, whose powerlessness will be openly shown, to the utter confusion of their votaries. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 42:18

Hear, ye deaf . The "deaf" are not absolutely without hearing, nor the "blind" absolutely without sight. They can "hear" and "see," if they choose to do so. When they do not see, it is because they "wink with their eyes" ( Matthew 13:15 ); when they do not hear, it is because, like the deaf adder, they "stop their ears" ( Psalms 58:4 ). This, at any rate, is the case with the majority. There may be some who have deadened their moral vision altogether, and have no longer any "ears to... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 42:18-25

ADDRESS TO CAPTIVE ISRAEL , CALLING UPON THEM TO TURN TO GOD , AND REMINDING THEM THAT THEY HAVE DESERVED THEIR AFFLICTIONS . By some critics the earlier verses of this passage ( Isaiah 42:19-21 ) are regarded as having reference to the "Servant of the Lord" depicted in Isaiah 42:1-7 , and as calling on the captive Jews to consider his voluntary humiliation, and the object of it. But this view seems to be strained. It requires "deaf" and "blind' to... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 42:18-25

The blindness of Israel. The "blindness" of Israel is a subject of continual remark in Scripture from the time of Moses ( Deuteronomy 28:28 , Deuteronomy 28:29 ) to that of St. Paul ( Romans 11:25 ). Four things may be noted of it. I. IT IS SELF - CAUSED . The Israelites "blinded themselves," and so became blind ( Isaiah 29:9 , with the comment). They "winked with their eyes," closed them against the light which shone on them from on high, and thus gradually by disuse... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 42:19

Who is blind, but my servant? or deaf, as my messenger? God's original "servant" and "messenger" to the nations was his people Israel. It was only through their default that he needed to send another and truer messenger. He now asks, having regard to their opportunities, who are so blind and deaf as they are? The object of the question is to wake a feeling of shame in the hearts of those who are not shameless among the Israelites. That I sent ; rather, whom I will send. Israel's... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 42:19-20

Spiritual blindness. "Who is blind, but my servant?" It is said, "None are so blind as those that won't see." Can any be so blind as those who have been illumined of the Spirit, and who have seen the beauties of holiness, and the deformities of sin, whilst yet they turn back to their old paths? I. THE BLINDNESS OF INDIFFERENCE . The heart has lost its first love, and the King is not "beautiful" now. Like human love sometimes, which does not know how blessed it is in its estate... read more

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 42:16

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 42:16

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 42:16

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 42:16

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 42:17

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 42:18

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 42:18-25

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 42:18-25

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 42:19

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 42:19-20

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