Adam Clarke's Bible Commentary Verse 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 neighbours the Sabeans, probably joined with them under Tirhakah. See chap. xx. and chap. xxxvii. 9.
Or as there are some reasonable objections to this opinion, perhaps it may mean more generally that God has often saved his people at the expense of other nations, whom he had, as it were in their stead, given up to destruction. Vitringa explains this of Shalmaneser's designs upon the kingdom of Judea after he had destroyed that of Samaria, from which he was diverted by carrying the war against the Egyptians, Cusheans, and Sabeans; but of this I think he has no clear proof in history. It is not to be wondered at that many things of this kind should remain very obscure for the want of the light of history, which in regard to these times is extremely deficient.
"Did not Cyrus overcome these nations? and might they not be given for releasing the Jews? It seems to have been so from chap. xlv. 14." -Secker.
Kimchi refers all this to the deliverance of Jerusalem from the invasion of Sennacherib. Tirhakah, king of Ethiopia, had come out to war against the king of Assyria, who was there- upon obliged to raise the siege of Jerusalem. Thus the Ethiopians, Egyptians, and Sabeans were delivered into the hands of the Assyrians as a ransom for Israel. - Kimchi. I cannot help thinking this to be a very rational solution of the text.
Matthew Henry Commentary
- The character and coming of Christ. (Is. 42:1-4) The blessings of his kingdom. (Is. 42:5-12) The prevalence of true religion. (Is. 42:13-17 Unbelief and blindness reproved. (Is. 42:18-25)
Is. 42:1-4 This prophecy was fulfilled in Christ, Matt. 12:17. Let ou souls rely on him, and rejoice in him; then, for his sake, the Fathe will be well-pleased with us. The Holy Spirit not only came, but reste upon him, and without measure. He patiently bore the contradiction of sinners. His kingdom is spiritual; he was not to appear with earthl honours. He is tender of those oppressed with doubts and fears, as bruised reed; those who are as smoking flax, as the wick of a lam newly lighted, which is ready to go out again. He will not despis them, nor lay upon them more work or more suffering than they can bear By a long course of miracles and his resurrection, he fully showed the truth of his holy religion. By the power of his gospel and grace he fixes principles in the minds of men, which tend to make them wise an just. The most distant nations wait for his law, wait for his gospel and shall welcome it. If we would make our calling and election sure and have the Father delight over us for good, we must behold, hear believe in, and obey Christ.
Is. 42:5-12 The work of redemption brings back man to the obedience he owes to God as his Maker. Christ is the light of the world. And by his grace he opens the understandings Satan has blinded, and sets a liberty from the bondage of sin. The Lord has supported his church. An now he makes new promises, which shall as certainly be fulfilled as the old ones were. When the Gentiles are brought into the church, he is glorified in them and by them. Let us give to God those things whic are his, taking heed that we do not serve the creature more than the Creator.
Is. 42:13-17 The Lord will appear in his power and glory. He shall cry in the preaching of his word. He shall cry aloud in the gospel woes which must be preached with gospel blessings, to awaken a sleepin world. He shall conquer by the power of his Spirit. And those tha contradict and blaspheme his gospel, he shall put to silence and shame and that which hinders its progress shall be taken out of the way. To those who by nature were blind, God will show the way to life an happiness by Jesus Christ. They are weak in knowledge, but He will make darkness light. They are weak in duty, but their way shall be plain Those whom God brings into the right way, he will guide in it. Thi passage is a prophecy, and is also applicable to every believer; for the Lord will never leave nor forsake them.
Is. 42:18-25 Observe the call given to this people, and the characte given of them. Multitudes are ruined for want of observing that whic they cannot but see; they perish, not through ignorance, but carelessness. The Lord is well-pleased in the making known his ow righteousness. For their sins they were spoiled of all their possessions. This fully came to pass in the destruction of the Jewis nation. There is no resisting, nor escaping God's anger. See the mischief sin makes; it provokes God to anger. And those not humbled by lesser judgments, must expect greater. Alas! how many professe Christians are blind as the benighted heathen! While the Lord i well-pleased in saving sinners through the righteousness of Christ he will also glorify his justice, by punishing all proud despisers. Seein God has poured out his wrath on his once-favoured people, because of their sins, let us fear, lest a promise being left us of entering int his rest, any of us should be found to come short of it _________________________________________________
Original Hebrew כי3588 אני589 יהוה3069 אלהיך430 קדושׁ6918 ישׂראל3478 מושׁיעך3467 נתתי5414 כפרך3724 מצרים4714 כושׁ3568 וסבא5434 תחתיך׃8478
