that kindle a fire = that are incendiaries; not the ordinary word for lighting a fire. Only in Deuteronomy 32:2 (the first occurrence). Jeremiah 15:14 ; Jeremiah 17:4 . Jer 64:2 . compass = gird. See note on Isaiah 8:9 . sparks = fiery darts. walk. This is Divine irony ( App-6 ). your = your own. read more
"Behold, all ye that kindle a fire, that gird yourselves about with firebrands; walk ye in the flame of your fire, and among the brands that ye have kindled. This shall ye have of my hand; ye shall lie down in sorrow."Wardle summarized the meaning of Isaiah 50:10,11 thus:"Let the pious Jew hear the Servant's voice, and despite his pitiful plight trust in Jehovah. Those who kindle the flames of persecution and strife shall become the victims of their own fire, and by his doom shall lie in a... read more
Isaiah 50:11. Behold, all ye, &c.— Behold, all ye who strike out fire, and place fuel around; walk in the light of your fire, and of the fuel you have kindled. It is universally agreed, that the adversaries of the kingdom of Christ are here meant, particularly the Scribes and Pharisees, and all those who were most solicitous for the destruction of Christ, and who became afterwards the principal cause of the destruction of their own nation. The prophet's metaphor, in a general view, exhibits... read more
11. In contrast to the godly (Isaiah 50:10), the wicked, in times of darkness, instead of trusting in God, trust in themselves (kindle a light for themselves to walk by) (Isaiah 50:10- :). The image is continued from Isaiah 50:10- :, "darkness"; human devices for salvation (Proverbs 19:21; Proverbs 16:9; Proverbs 16:25) are like the spark that goes out in an instant in darkness (compare Job 18:6; Job 21:17; Psalms 18:28). sparks—not a steady light, but blazing sparks extinguished in a moment.... read more
Walking in light or darkness 50:10-11This short pericope is another transition. It connects with the third Servant Song, but it introduces a new speaker and develops a different topic. The new subject is the importance of listening to the Servant and the Lord. read more
The Lord contrasted the way of sorrow, in this verse, with the way of trust, in Isaiah 50:10. The Israelites who refused to trust God and obey the Servant in their dark mission, and instead tried to escape the dark by lighting their own fires, would experience torment. They would encounter this if they refused to trust God for deliverance from the Babylonians, and they would encounter it in their larger relationship with God. The Lord would send them torment, not vindication (cf. Isaiah... read more
1. The children of Zion (Isaiah 49:20-21) are addressed. Their servitude is not irrevocable; Jehovah has not formally repudiated Zion (Deuteronomy 24:1); nor, though they had to learn by discipline, can any creditors claim His people as slaves (2 Kings 4:1): cp. Jeremiah 24:4-6; Ezekiel 37.2, 3. The imagery is from the exodus from Egypt. 2. Wherefore.. answer] These clauses emphasise the hopelessness of Israel’s case from a human point of view. Only the divine power could effect the deliverance... read more
(11) All ye that kindle a fire.—The words obviously point to any human substitute for the Divine light, and thus include the two meanings which commentators have given them: (1) Man’s fiery wrath, that worketh not the righteousness of God; and (2) man’s attempt to rest in earthly comforts or enjoyments instead of in the light and joy that comes from God.That compass yourselves about with sparks.—The words are rendered by many commentators, gird yourselves with burning darts, or firebrands,... read more
The One Helper Isaiah 50:7 I found these words when I needed them much in Isaiah, chapter fifty, verse seven: 'The Lord God will help me'. We might write this on a signet ring and stamp with it all the record of our life. There are times when we need just these simple daisy texts, spring-violet texts. They seem to have no cubic depth, and yet when we come to live them there seems to be room in their infinite space for the heavens and the earth. 'The Lord God will help me.' I like the sound of... read more
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Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Isaiah 50:4-11
The servant’s patient endurance (50:4-11)In this, the third Servant Song, the words again may have an application to the experiences of Israel among the nations. In particular they reflect the experiences of the few faithful Jews who tried to teach, warn and comfort their ungodly fellow exiles in Babylon. The song becomes even more meaningful when applied to the experiences of the Messiah himself.The servant is taught by God day by day, so that he can give teaching and encouragement to those... read more