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Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 55:10

As the rain … and the snow . The rain and the snow are God's ministers ( Psalms 148:8 ), and go forth from him, just as his word does. They have an appointed work to do, and do not return to him, whose ministers they are, until they have done it. It is best to translate, with Delitzsch and Mr. Cheyne, "As the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, except it hath watered the earth," etc. The writer is, apparently, aware, as the writer of Ecclesiastes is,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 55:10-11

Change and permanence in God's Word. Dr. George Dana Boardman sees, in these verses, an unconscious anticipation of two great doctrines of modem science—the doctrine of convertibility of energies, or correlation of forces; and the doctrine of conservation of energy, or indestructibility of force. "We are now taught that heat, light, electricity, magnetism, chemical affinity, etc; are modes of motion, and, as such, mutually interchangeable. And we are also taught that there is no evidence... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 55:10-13

The fruitfulness of sacred truth. It may be said that the rain and the snow do, in fact, return to the heavens whence they came, drawn up by the sun as it shines on sea and lake, on stream and river, everywhere. But not until they have done the work for which they came , not until they have "accomplished that which God pleases," until they have prospered in the purpose for which he sent them; not until they have fertilized the soil, and made it bring forth its precious fruits. The vast... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 55:11

So shall my word be. God's word is creative. With the utterance the result is achieved. Hence the sublime passage, which even heathenism could admire (Longin; 'De Sublim.,' § 9), "And God said, Let there be light: and there was light" ( Genesis 1:3 ). Hence, too, the more general statement, "By the Word of the Lord were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth" ( Psalms 33:6 ; comp. Psalms 148:5 ). But it shall accomplish; rather, unless it has... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 55:11

The vital force of the Word of God. There is a strange force in every utterance of God. In the account of creation given in Genesis we find, not only light, but all the other portions of the universe which it pleased God to make, created by an utterance—a word (see Genesis 1:6 , Genesis 1:9 , Genesis 1:11 , Genesis 1:14 , Genesis 1:20 , Genesis 1:24 , Genesis 1:26 ). God said, "Let there be," and at once there was. "He commanded, and they were created" ( Psalms 148:5 ). So... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 55:9

For as the heavens ... - This verse is designed merely to illustrate the idea in the former. There is as great a difference between the plans of God and those of people, as between the heavens and the earth. A similar comparison occurs in Psalms 103:11 - For as the heaven is high alcove the earth,So great is his mercy toward them that fear him.Compare Psalms 57:10 - For thy mercy is great unto the heavens,And thy truth unto the clouds.Also Psalms 89:2 - Mercy shall be built up forever,Thy... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 55:10

For as the rain cometh down - The meaning of this verse and the following is plain. This refers evidently, as the whole passage does, to the times which should succeed the coming of the Messiah. The hearts of people by nature are what the earth would be without the rains of heaven - barren and sterile. But God says that his truth shall certainly accomplish an effect similar to that produced by descending showers. The rain never descends in vain. It makes the earth fertile, beautiful, and... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 55:11

So shall my word be - All the truth which God reveals is as much adapted to produce an effect on the hard and sterile hearts of men as the rain is on the earth.It shall not return unto me void - It shall not return to me without accomplishing that which I intend.And it shall prosper - (See the note at Isaiah 52:13). This proves:1. That God has a design in giving his Word to people. He has as distinct an intention in his Word as he has in sending down rain upon the earth.2. That whatever is his... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Isaiah 55:10-11

Isaiah 55:10-11. For as the rain cometh down To water and refresh the earth, and render it fruitful; and the snow from heaven Which, in its season, contributes to the fertility of the earth, as well as the rain; and returneth not thither Namely, without effect, or immediately: it is not drawn up again as soon as it comes down, but abides for a convenient time upon the earth, until it do that work for which it is sent. That it may give seed and bread, &c. That it may bring forth... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Isaiah 55:1-13

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

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