15. ancient—the older. honourable—the man of rank. prophet . . . lies, . . . tail—There were many such in Samaria (1 Kings 22:6; 1 Kings 22:22; 1 Kings 22:23; compare as to "tail," 1 Kings 22:23- :). read more
The corruption of Ephraim’s leaders 9:13-17"As the first stage of the judgments has been followed by no true conversion to Jehovah the almighty judge, there comes a second." [Note: Delitzsch, 1:258.] read more
By the "head," Isaiah meant the leading person, and by the "tail," the false prophet. The leaders were leading the people astray by strengthening their self-confidence rather than urging them to trust Yahweh. Typically this results in leaders saying and doing things only to lengthen their own tenure in positions of power. read more
(continued)8. Jacob.. Israel] Both names here stand for the northern kingdom, as is made clear by what follows in the next v. 9. Shall know] i.e. shall be taught by experience (Numbers 14:34).10. If the language is to be understood literally, the allusion is to the way in which the people set themselves to repair, and more than make up for, the devastation caused by invasion. But it is more likely that the prophet refers in a figure to the frequent changes of dynasty in the N. kingdom; no... read more
Divine Judgments on the Kingdom of IsraelThis section relates throughout to the kingdom of Israel. It belongs to the same period as the chapters immediately preceding, and treats of the ruin which Isaiah foresaw would shortly overtake the kingdom of the Ten Tribes: cp. Isaiah 7:16; Isaiah 8:4. The prophet traces the fall of Israel to the moral and social condition of its people. His prophecy was speedily fulfilled in the conquest of Syria and Israel by the Assyrian armies. The prophecy falls... read more
(15) The ancient and honourable . . .—Comp. Isaiah 3:2-3, for the meaning of the words. These, the prophet seems to say, were the true leaders of the people. The ideal work of the prophet was, indeed, that of a teacher who was to lead even them, but corruptio optimi pessima; and to Isaiah, as to Jeremiah, there was no class so contemptible and base as that of spiritual guides whose policy was that of a time-serving selfishness. The verse is rejected by some critics as a marginal note that has... read more
The Gift of Peace Isaiah 9:6 ; Isaiah 5:21 What a contrast these two texts present! The wicked those living apart from God have no peace; but to those who know the Incarnate Son of God to be their Saviour, He is their Peace the Prince of Peace. Let us look at Him, and then at the great inward gift that He comes to convey to us. I. Peace Inherent in Christ's Nature. Whatever Christ is, He is by nature, not by circumstance. If He is a King, He is so by nature; if He is the Redeemer, it is... read more
CHAPTER VIITHE MESSIAHWE have now reached that point of Isaiah’s prophesying at which the Messiah becomes the most conspicuous figure on his horizon. Let us take advantage of it to gather into one statement all that the prophet told his generation concerning that exalted and mysterious Person.When Isaiah began to prophesy, there was current among the people of Judah the expectation of a glorious King. How far the expectation was defined it is impossible to ascertain; but this at least is... read more
CHAPTER IIITHE VINEYARD OF THE LORD,OR TRUE PATRIOTISM THE CONSCIENCE OF OUR COUNTRY’S SINS735 B.C.Isaiah 5:1-30; Isaiah 9:8 - Isaiah 10:4THE prophecy contained in these chapters belongs, as we have seen, to the same early period of Isaiah’s career as chapters 2-4, about the time when Ahaz ascended the throne after the long and successful reigns of his father and grandfather, when the kingdom of Judah seemed girt with strength and filled with wealth, but the men were corrupt and the women... read more
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Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Isaiah 9:13-15
Isaiah 9:13-15. For the people turneth not, &c.— We have here the second crime of this refractory people, who, impenitent and stupid, regarded not the chastisement of the Lord, nor turned to him at his reproof. Therefore, in the 14th and 15th verses, a total subversion of their state and polity is denounced. The reader will observe, that the expressions, though metaphorical, are very plain from the prophet's own exposition. See chap. Isaiah 19:15. This was fulfilled when the people were... read more