Isaiah 11:11-12

11, 12. The next point is, how this shall be, with Israel scattered to the four winds before Messiah comes.

Come to pass in that day Some future time, as in last verse.

Shall… again… the second time To what does this refer? Literally, the Lord shall add his hand a second time to recover. At no time before have his people been signally recovered, or redeemed, as the verb properly means, save in their recovery from Egyptian bondage.

The prophet foretells a redemption here, as a second redemption, and that, most seemingly and suitably, the counterpart of the Egyptian. As he once purchased or delivered Israel out of Egypt, so will he redeem it, recreate it, as from the seed-corn of the remnant out of all the regions here mentioned.

From Assyria… Egypt These are first named as the chief world-powers of Isaiah’s time. Appended to these are: 1.

Pathros Commonly agreed to be Upper Egypt, as distinguished from Mizraim, or more strictly, Lower Egypt. 2.

Cush A land still south of Upper Egypt. These are attached to Egypt in general land divisions. 3.

Elam Or Persia, or lands beyond the Tigris. 4.

Shinar Lands lying around Babylon. 5.

Hamath Regions to the north of the Lebanon. 6.

Islands of the sea The lands within and coastwise of the Mediterranean. These held appendage to the northernmost great world-power. But Israel was not scattered among these when Isaiah wrote. The description is, therefore, prophetical, not historical. Israel is, indeed, yet to be scattered, and the Gentiles, ideally under the above names, are in Messiah’s time to be converted, and to be the means of Israel’s recovery and redemption. So St. Paul in Romans 9:0. So also our prophet in Isaiah 6:11-13.

He shall set up an ensign, etc. The Gentiles, in consequence of the marked will of God, will at their own conversion afford all means for the reception of the dispersed Israel into Messiah’s kingdom.