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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Isaiah 43:1-7

This chapter has a plain connexion with the close of the foregoing chapter, but a very surprising one. It was there said that Jacob and Israel would not walk in God's ways, and that when he corrected them for their disobedience they were stubborn and laid it not to heart; and now one would think it should have followed that God would utterly abandon and destroy them; but no, the next words are, But now, fear not, O Jacob! O Israel! I have redeemed thee, and thou art mine. Though many among... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Isaiah 43:2

When thou passest through the waters; I will be with thee ,.... The Targum and Jarchi apply this to the Israelites' passage through the waters of the Red sea, as a thing past; and Kimchi to Sennacherib's army, compared to the waters of a river strong and many, Isaiah 8:7 . Jerom says, that the Jewish writers by "waters" would have the Egyptians understood; by the "rivers", the Babylonians; by "fire", the Macedonians; and by the "flame", the Romans; which is not amiss; but rather the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Isaiah 43:3

For I am the Lord thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour ,.... The Lord is the covenant God of his people, holy in himself, and the sanctifier of them, and their Saviour in time of trouble; and therefore need no doubt of his presence and support amidst all their afflictions; and besides they should call to mind past experiences of his goodness, to encourage their faith in him, as to present help and assistance: I gave Egypt for thy ransom ; he sacrificed the Egyptians instead of... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Isaiah 43:3

I gave Egypt for thy ransom - This is commonly supposed to refer to the time of Sennacherib's invasion; who, when he was just ready to fall upon Jerusalem, soon after his entering Judea, was providentially diverted from that design, and turned his arms against the Egyptians, and their allies the Cushean Arabians, with their neighbors the Sabeans, probably joined with them under Tirhakah. See Isaiah 20:1-6 ; and Isaiah 37:9 . Or as there are some reasonable objections to this opinion,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 43:1-7

A RENEWED PROMISE TO ISRAEL OF PROTECTION AND DELIVERANCE . Severe rebuke ( Isaiah 42:18-25 ) is followed, as so often in Isaiah ( Isaiah 1:25-27 ; Isaiah 4:2-6 ; Isaiah 9:1-16 , etc.), by comfort and consolation. Israel is assured that God has not cast him off, and promised the comfort of the Divine presence during the existing tribulation (verse 2), and. a speedy restoration to Palestine (verses 3-7). The scattered Israelites will be brought together from all... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 43:1-7

The love of Jehovah to Israel. "But now." The word itself hints yearning affection. There has been a conflict between Divine love and Divine wrath, and the former has gained the victory. In fact, the wrath of Jehovah was but grieved affection. Its force is now for the time spent. He will now deliver and protect, reassemble and restore his people (Cheyne). I. IT IS THE LOVE OF A PARENT . "Thy Creator, O Jacob; he that formed thee, O Israel." Of all the works of God,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 43:2

Through the waters … through the rivers ; i.e. through troubles of any kind (comp. Psalms 66:12 , "We went through fire and through water: but thou broughtest us out into a wealthy place"). There were, perhaps, special troubles to be endured connected with the final Babylonian struggle. There were certainly others connected with the tedious and dangerous journey from Babylonia to Palestine ( Ezra 8:22 , Ezra 8:31 ). There were others, again, after the Holy Land was reached, arising... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 43:2

God, in trouble. "When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee: and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee." When. Then it is certain that such experiences will come. It is only a question of time. Tribulation is common to all the children. "The same sufferings," says the apostle, "are accomplished in your brethren which are in the world." When? We do not always know when the desolating floods of life are coming, but presently they will rise to our breast and to our... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 43:2

Succor in sorrow. It is bad indeed for us when our best friends become our worst enemies. Fire and water are two of our best friends so long as we have them under control: they warm, cleanse, nourish, fertilize, convey. But when they gain the mastery' over us they overturn and. consume, they injure and destroy both property and life; they thus become striking illustrations as well as fruitful sources of trial and distress. I. THE GREATER AFFLICTIONS OF HUMAN LIFE . The terms... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 43:2

Safety for the soul in times of trouble. The first figure in this verse is a very familiar one; the second needs such explanations as are given by writers on Eastern customs. It seems that the setting of the grass and undergrowth on fire, in the East, was commonly practised to annoy enemies, and it sometimes occasioned great terror and distress. Hawkesworth relates that the wild inhabitants of New South Wales endeavoured to destroy some tents and stores belonging to Captain Cook's ship, when... read more

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