I clothe the heavens with blackness . The Egyptian plague of darkness ( Exodus 10:21-23 ) is not adequate to the expressions here used. God means to assert his power of leaving all nature in absolute darkness, if he so choose—a power necessarily belonging to him who said, "Let there be light; and there was light" ( Genesis 1:3 ). I make sackcloth their covering (see Revelation 6:12 , "The sun became black as sackcloth of hair"). read more
The Lord God hath given me the tongue of the learned ; literally, the tongue of disciples; i.e. a trained tongue, a well-taught tongue. Christ "did nothing of himself; as the Father had taught him," so he spoke ( John 8:28 ). That I should know how to speak a word in season to him that is weary; rather, that I shall know how to sustain by a word him that is weary. Compare, "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest" ( Matthew 11:28 ). He... read more
The hearing ear and the helpful tongue. The whole passage ( Isaiah 50:4-9 ) is strikingly appropriate to the spirit and the work of the Messiah; and this verse as much as the rest. For it was true in no small measure: 1 . That Jesus received continual communications from the Divine Father. "The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise" ( John 5:19 ; see also John 3:11 ; John 5:30 ; John... read more
Words in season. The ability to speak suitable words, timely, wise, and helpful, is God's gift, and one of his best gifts, which we should covet earnestly. "A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in baskets of silver" ( Proverbs 25:11 ). We are often pleasantly, and often sadly, reminded how words which we spoke years ago lie in the memories of those who heard, and have exerted continuous influence for weal or woe. And there are few of us who look back over life without regret that... read more
A SOLILOQUY OF THE SERVANT OF JEHOVAH . The separateness of this passage has been maintained in the opening paragraph. That it is not of himself that the prophet here speaks, appears But if he does not speak of himself, he can scarcely speak of any other besides "the Servant," of whom he has already said much ( Isaiah 42:1-8 ; Isaiah 49:1-12 ), and of whom he has still much more to say ( Isaiah 52:13-15 ; Isaiah 53:1-12 ). read more
Jehovah and his Servant. The passage is to be compared with Isaiah 42:1-4 ; Isaiah 49:1-9 . The manner in which God is referred to is peculiarly solemn—by his double name, the Lord Jehovah. I. THE SERVANT 'S ENDOWMENTS AND TEMPER . The tongue of disciples. The "facility of well-trained scholars" ( Isaiah 8:6 ; Isaiah 54:13 )—"a discipled tongue, speaking nothing but what it has learned from God." A tongue the object of which is comfort to the weary. Not to... read more
The Lord hath opened mine ear . Some understand this of the boring of the ear for perpetual service ( Psalms 40:6 ; Exodus 21:6 ); but it is perhaps better to regard it as intended to mark a contrast between the true Servant and the professed servants, or children of Israel. They "did not hear; their ear was not opened; they were treacherous and rebellious from the womb" ( Isaiah 48:8 ). His ear was opened to receive God's word perpetually; he was not rebellious, did not turn away... read more
Signs of faithful service. Whether this is intended to point to the Person and work of the Messiah, or to that of some living prophet, it treats of the faithful servant of God; it is applicable to any one among us "that feareth the Lord, that obeyeth the voice of his servant" ( Isaiah 50:10 ). We find here marks of fidelity in holy service. I. COMING INTO THE SHADOW OF PERSECUTION . In doing this the faithful one: 1 . Follows in the train of the noblest men of ancient... read more
I gave my back to the smiters (see Isaiah 53:5 , ad fin.; and comp. Matthew 26:67 ; Matthew 27:26 ; John 19:1 ). My cheeks to them that plucked off the hair . This is a detail not historically recorded by the evangelists; but it may have had a literal fulfilment. Plucking off the hair was not unknown to the Jews as a punishment (see Nehemiah 13:25 ). I hid not my face from shame and spitting (see Matthew 26:67 ; Matthew 27:30 ). Spitting in the East marked at once... read more
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The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 50:2-3
God's power over nature. Modern pseudo-science, or "un-science," as it has been called, seems to hold that nature, having been once for all arranged and ordered by God, was thenceforth left to itself, being an automatic machine, bound to work in a certain way, needing no superintendence, and brooking no interference thenceforward. Hence miracles are regarded as impossible, or at any rate as non occurrent; and we are invited to ascribe to the combined influence of priestcraft and credulity... read more