Isaiah 59:16

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Isaiah 59:16-21

How sin abounded we have read, to our great amazement, in the former part of the chapter; how grace does much more abound we read in these verses. And, as sin took occasion from the commandment to become more exceedingly sinful, so grace took occasion from the transgression of the commandment to appear more exceedingly gracious. Observe, I. Why God wrought salvation for this provoking people, notwithstanding their provocations. It was purely for his own name's sake; because there was nothing... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Isaiah 59:16

And he saw that there was no man ,.... Whose works are good, as the Targum adds; no good man, or faithful and righteous one, that had any regard to truth and justice; that was an advocate for truth, and opposed error, and set on foot a reformation; or was concerned for any of these things, and mourned over the general corruption; not that it must be thought there was not one individual person, but very few, comparatively none; since mention is made before of some that departed from evil, and... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Isaiah 59:16

And wondered that there was no intercessor - This and the following verses some of the most eminent rabbins understand as spoken of the Messiah. Kimchi says that Rabbi Joshua ben Levi proposes this objection: "It is written, 'Behold, he will come in the clouds of heaven as the son of man,' Daniel 7:13 ; and elsewhere it is written, 'He cometh lowly, and riding upon an ass,' Zechariah 9:9 . How can these texts be reconciled? Thus: If the Jews have merit, he will come unto them in the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 59:15-16

Salvation by God through man. This text contains, in part, the confession of social iniquity. "Truth faileth; and he that departeth from evil is accounted mad. There is no judgment"—that is, no social righteousness, no sense of the "right" manifestly ruling in the common relations of life. God looked down upon this degenerate and hopeless condition. He knew how far the evil spread, until the whole people was corrupted, and there was no man able to plead against the prevailing evil; no... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 59:15-17

Human hopelessness and Divine redemption. This vivid picture of the nation's demoralization, and of its incapacity to produce a citizen who could regenerate and reform, may appropriately suggest— I. THE HOPELESS CONDITION OF THE HUMAN RACE UNDER THE LONG TYRANNY OF SIN . Man had fallen so far that there was not the smallest prospect of redemption from anything he could originate. The all-seeing eye of God rested on "no man, no intercessor." Reformer there... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 59:15-21

A PROMISE OF DELIVERANCE . TO OPPRESSED ISRAEL . The godly in Israel were suffering a double oppression: The prophet promises a deliverance from both. The deliverance will be followed by the establishment of Messiah's kingdom, which will continue for ever. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 59:15-21

Jehovah as Champion of the people. I. HE IS THE INTERESTED SPECTATOR OF HUMAN AFFAIRS . He "considers in his dwelling-place" ( Isaiah 18:4 ). He "causes his ear to hear"—to judge the fatherless and oppressed, that the man of the earth may no more oppress ( Psalms 10:18 ). He is not like the gods of the Epicureans, "sitting apart, careless of mankind." He is a God who can feel pleasure in goodness and the good , displeasure in the prevalence of wrong and injustice.... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 59:16

He saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no intercessor ; i.e. God looked for some champion of the oppressed to arise; it was to be expected under the circumstances. But, alas! "there was no man." None stood up to resist the unrighteous and protect the innocent; much less did any stand up to deliver Israel from its heathen adversaries. When it is said that God " wondered " at no champion appearing, we must understand the expression as an anthropomorphism· Therefore... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 59:16

Salvation, not in man. "And he saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no intercessor." It seemed a dark hour for the world. Evidently a dead nation cannot arise of itself, any more than a dead man. It is a time of wonderment. Great men often arise for great occasions; but there is no man , that is, no mere man , equal to this occasion. But— I. " GOD IS HIS OWN INTERPRETER ." He makes plain his own mysteries alike in providence and in redemption.... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 59:16

And he saw that there was no man - That is, no wise and prudent man qualified to govern the affairs of the people. Or, that there was no man qualified to interpose and put an end to these evils; no one qualified to effect a reformation, and to save the nation from the calamities which their sins deserved. The reason why God provided a Redeemer was, that such was the extent and nature of human depravity, that no one on earth could arrest it, and save the world. A similar expression occurs in... read more

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