A FRESH ASSURANCE or DELIVERANCE FROM BABYLON . Man can scarcely conceive of the deliverance which God designs; but God's thoughts are not as man's ( Isaiah 55:8 , Isaiah 55:9 ). God's word, once pronounced, is potent to effect its purpose ( Isaiah 55:10 , Isaiah 55:11 ). Deliverance from Babylon, having been promised, will take place, and will be accompanied by all manner of spiritual blessings ( Isaiah 55:12 , Isaiah 55:13 ). read more
Let the wicked ... - In this verse we are told what is necessary in order to seek God and to return to him, and the encouragement which we have to do it. The first step is for the sinner to forsake his way. He must come to a solemn pause, and resolve to abandon all his transgressions. His evil course; his vices; his corrupt practices; and his dissipated companions, must be forsaken.And the unrighteous man - Margin, “Man of iniquity.” This is a literal translation. The address is made to all... read more
For my thoughts are not your thoughts - Interpreters have differed in regard to the connection of this verse with the preceding. It is evident, I think, that it is properly connected with the subject of pardon; and the sense must be, that the plans and purposes of God in regard to forgiveness are as far above those of people as the heavens are higher than the earth, Isaiah 55:9. But in what respects his plan of pardon differs from those of people, the prophet does not intimate, and can be... read more
Isaiah 55:6-7. Seek ye the Lord, &c. Having discoursed of the office and work of Christ, and showed that he should call people and nations to himself and to God, the prophet now endeavours to persuade the people to hearken to his call, and to seek the Lord; that is, to labour to get the knowledge of God’s will, and to obtain his grace and favour, neither of which could be obtained save in and through Christ. And this exhortation is general, like that Isaiah 55:1, intended for all... read more
Isaiah 55:8. For my thoughts are not your thoughts, &c. My disposition and way differ vastly from yours. If any man injure you, especially if he do it greatly and frequently, you are slow and backward to forgive him. But I am ready to forgive all true penitents, how many, and great, and numberless soever their sins be; and my promises of mercy and pardon shall be infallibly made good to them: and therefore you need not fear to come to me, or question but you shall find mercy and... read more
God’s free provision (55:1-13)Many of the Jews had made life reasonably tolerable for themselves in Babylon. The prophet knew that they were so settled that they might not want to uproot themselves and face the hardships of life back in their desolated homeland. Many were more concerned with making life easier for themselves than with knowing God and looking to him for their provision. God warns against this self-centred attitude and invites them to trust fully in him. The blessings he gives... read more
wicked = lawless man (singular) Hebrew. rasha', App-44 . forsake. See note on Isaiah 1:4 . way . . . thoughts. Note the Introversion of lines in verses: Isaiah 55:7 and Isaiah 8:7 -. way. -7. thoughts. 8-. thoughts. -8. ways. unrighteous. Hebrew. 'aven. App-44 . man. Hebrew ' ish . App-14 . abundantly pardon. Hebrew multiply to pardon. read more
My thoughts . . . your thoughts. Note the Introversion of the pronouns. The contrast thus emphasized is not merely holiness, but vastness. read more
Isaiah 55:8-11. For my thoughts are not your thoughts— This whole period consists of two comparative sentences; the one of which sets forth the height and sublimity of the thoughts and ways of God, above the thoughts and ways of men; the other, the undoubted power of the word of God, sent forth by him to effect the salvation of mankind. The former is grounded upon the perfect knowledge of God; the other, upon his infinite power. This passage is well connected with the whole argument of this and... read more
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The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 55:8-9
God is like yet unlike man. We are made in his image. We are called to be "perfect as our Father in heaven is perfect." The hope of the future is that we "shall be like him." And yet we must keep up the conviction that we are but faint copies of him, and be is altogether better than we, the Infinite that is ever high above us, at once our inspiration and our despair. Apply God's unlikeness to us especially in the matter of redemption. I. GOD CAN FORGIVE . This man finds it hard to... read more