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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Isaiah 30:18-26

The closing words of the foregoing paragraph (You shall be left as a beacon upon a mountain) some understand as a promise that a remnant of them should be reserved as monuments of mercy; and here the prophet tells them what good times should succeed these calamities. Or the first words in this paragraph may be read by way of antithesis, Notwithstanding this, yet will the Lord wait that he may be gracious. The prophet, having shown that those who made Egypt their confidence would be ashamed of... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Isaiah 30:21

And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee ,.... Which may be said in reference to the backsliding and declining state of the people, Isaiah 30:11 and is thought by some to be an allusion to schoolmasters, who stand behind their scholars, or at their backs, to guide, teach, and instruct them; and by others to shepherds following their flocks, who, when they observe any of the sheep going out of the way, call them back; or to travellers, who, coming to a place where are several ways, and... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Isaiah 30:21

When ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left "Turn not aside, to the right or to the left" - The Syriac Chaldee, and Vulgate, translate as if, instead of כי־וכי ki - read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 30:18-26

A RENEWAL OF PROMISE . The denunciations of the preceding passage ( Isaiah 30:9-17 ) had been so terrible that, without some counterpoise of promise, they must have produced a general despair. This was not the Divine purpose. Judah's probation still continued. Therefore it was necessary to let it be seen that the Divine long-suffering was not yet exhausted—there were still conditions under which God would be gracious to his people. The conditions were "crying to the Lord" ( Isaiah... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 30:19-22

Turning to God. It is the intention of God's chastisements, and their natural, though perhaps scarcely their ordinary, result, to stir the soul to penitence, and produce a turning of the heart to God. When the spirit of the man is truly touched, the steps on the path of repentance are commonly— I. THE UTTERANCE OF A CRY . " Men and brethren, what shall we do?" ( Acts 2:37 ). " Sirs , what must I do to be saved?" ( Acts 16:30 ). " Lord , what wilt thou have me to do?" ( ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 30:19-26

The blessedness of Zion. Throughout the book the idea of temporal blends with that of spiritual weal. The images are drawn from the state of temporal happiness and prosperity. Yet Zion and Jerusalem may be regarded as symbolical of the Church in general. I. JOY IN GOD . There will be "no more weeping." Tears are significant of the lot of humanity; and in the poetry of the Old Testament we hear, as Lord Bacon says, "as many hearse-like airs as carols," and the pencil of the Holy... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 30:19-26

The people of God in their prosperity. These verses are primarily applicable, and they are more or less true as they are applied, to the return of the Jews from captivity, and their residence in their own land. But they find a larger fulfillment in the condition of the Church of Christ in its last days. Possibly they anticipate the felicities of the heavenly future. We refer them to the Church in its prosperity, and conclude— I. THAT THE PEOPLE OF GOD ARE THOSE THAT HAVE... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 30:21

Thine ears shall hear a word behind thee. Kay says, "The teacher will go before his flock, marking out the way before them." But in that case, the flock would hear the word before them. Delitzsch explains better, "They (the teachers), as the shepherds of the flock, would follow the people with friendly words of admonition." Even in the East, shepherds sometimes follow their flocks (see Genesis 32:17 ). When ye turn , i.e. when ye are about to turn. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 30:21

Sins of will and sins of frailty. "When ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left." This is an evident recognition of the infirmities and wanderings of those who do, of set purpose of heart, mean to serve God. The verse is a gracious assurance that, in such times of frailty, God's people shall have due warning and correction. We may take as types of the two kinds of sin—sins of will and sins of frailty—the two persons who were present to the mind of Christ when he spoke as in ... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 30:21

And thine ears shall hear a word - A command or admonition. You shall not be left without spiritual guides and directors.Behind thee - That is, says Vitringa, the voice of conscience, as an “invisible” guide, shall admonish you. The idea, however, seems to be that if they were ignorant of the way, or if they were inclined to err, they should be admonished of the true path which they ought to pursue. The idea is taken either from the practice of teachers who are represented as “following” their... read more

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