I will open rivers in high places (comp. Isaiah 30:25 ). If even the "high places" had water, much more would-the low ground—the valleys—be abundantly supplied. The abundance is indicated by the fourfold designation of the water-supply, as coming from (1) rivers; read more
Water in the wilderness. "I will make the wilderness a pool of water, and the dry land springs of water." The place of the fountain is the key-note of this sermon. We are not surprised to find a fountain in the grove or the garden—there , amidst its diamond spray the birds brighten their plumage. But here the caravan halts, whilst men and women fall on their breasts and drink in the living nectar—the sweet water that never harms. We have to meditate upon this subject, however, in its... read more
I will plant in the wilderness the cedar , etc. The "glory of Lebanon," the "excellency of Carmel and Sharon" ( Isaiah 35:2 ), shall be given to the "wilderness," wherein Israel dwells. The trees named are the choicest of Syria and Palestine, viz. the cedar ( erez ) . the great glory of Libanus; the acacia ( shittah ), abundant in the Jordan valley; the myrtle ( hadas ), which grew on the hills about Jerusalem ( Nehemiah 8:15 ); the olive, cultivated over the whole country; the... read more
That they may see , etc. The change would be such that those who experienced it could not fail to recognize "Jehovah, the Holy One of Israel," as its Author. read more
I will open rivers - That is, I will cause rivers to flow (see the note at Isaiah 35:7). The allusion here is doubtless to the miraculous supply of water in the desert when the Israelites had come out of Egypt. God then supplied their needs; and in a similar manner he would always meet his people, and would supply their needs as if rivers of pure water were made to flow from dry and barren hills.In high places - The word used here denotes properly barrenness or nakedness Job 33:21; and then a... read more
I will plant in the wilderness - The image in this verse is one that is frequent in Isaiah. It is designed to show that God would furnish for his people abundant consolations, and that he would furnish unanticipated sources of comfort, and would remove from them their anticipated trials and calamities. The image refers to the return of the exiles to their own land. That journey lay through Arabia Deserta - a vast desert - where they would naturally expect to meet with nothing but barren hills,... read more
That they - The Jews, the people who shall be rescued from their long captivity, and restored again to their own land. So rich and unexpected would be the blessings - as if in a pathless desert the most beautiful and refreshing trees and fountains should suddenly spring up - that they would have the fullest demonstration that they came from God.Hath created it - That is, all this is to be traced to him. In the apocryphal book of Baruch there is an expression respecting the return from Babylon... read more
Isaiah 41:17-20. When the poor and needy seek water, &c. When my poor people are come to the greatest extremity of danger and misery, then will I appear for their relief. I will open rivers in high places Upon the hills and mountains, where, by the course of nature, there are no rivers; and fountains in the midst of valleys Or, in the valleys, namely, in such of them as are not well watered. I will make the wilderness a pool of water, &c. Those people who are like a dry... read more
The living God and idols (41:1-29)At that time Cyrus of Persia had been expanding his empire. He had conquered all the countries to the north and east, and was now threatening Babylon. The prophet imagines God calling the nations to assemble before him and asking them a question: who is it that has stirred up Cyrus to carry out this conquest? The answer: Yahweh (41:1-4).As the armies of Cyrus approach these nations the people panic, and in their distress call upon their gods for protection.... read more
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The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 41:17-29
The claims of Jehovah. The thought seems to resume the thread broken off at the beginning of the chapter. Jehovah appeals to what he has done and to what he is. I. HIS MERCIFUL DEALINGS WITH HIS PEOPLE . The scene and state of exile is brought before us. They are dwelling in the "tents of Kedar." They are in the midst of a flourishing commercial empire; yet it is to them as a desert where no water is (cf. Psalms 63:1 ). The true desert is the soul without the sense of God's... read more