Adam Clarke's Bible Commentary Verse 9. Wo unto him that striveth with his Maker "To unto him that contendeth with the power that formed him"] The prophet answers or prevents the objections and cavils of the unbelieving Jews, disposed to murmur against God, and to arraign the wisdom and justice of his dispensations in regard to them; in permitting them to be oppressed by their enemies, and in promising them deliverance instead of preventing their captivity. St. Paul has borrowed the image, and has applied it to the like purpose with equal force and elegance: "Nay, but, O man! who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus? Hath not the potter power over the clay, out of the same lump to make one vessel to honour, and another to dishonour?" Rom. ix. 20, 21. This is spoken says Kimchi, against the king of Babylon, who insulted the Most High, bringing forth the sacred vessels, drinking out of them, and magnifying himself against God.
Or thy work, He hath no hands "And to the workman, Thou hast no hands"] The Syriac renders, as if he had read, ûydy l[p ytyh alw velo hayithi pheal yadeycha, "neither am I the work of thy hands; " the Septuagint, as if they had reads ûl µydw yaw tl[p alw velo phaalta veeyn yaadim lecha, "neither hast thou made me; and thou hast no hands.
" But the fault seems to be in the transposition of the two pronouns; for ûl[pw uphoolcha, read wl[pw uphoolo: and for wl lo, read ûl lecha. So Houbigant corrects it; reading also wl[pw uphoolo; which last correction seems not altogether necessary. The Septuagint, in MSS. Pachom. and i. D. ii. have it thus, kai to ergon ouk eceiv ceirav, which favours the reading here proposed.
Matthew Henry Commentary
- Here are promises of the influences of the Holy Spirit. (Is. 44:1-8) A exposure of the folly of idolatry. (Is. 44:9-20) Also the deliveranc of God's people. (Is. 44:21-28)
Is. 44:1-8 Israel is here called Jeshurun, which means "the uprigh one." Such only are Israelites indeed, in whom is no guile. Those tha serve God he will own. He will help them over difficulties, and in their services. Water is the emblem of the Holy Spirit; as wate refreshes, cleanses, and makes the earth fruitful, so do his influence the soul. This gift of the Holy Ghost is the great blessing, the plentiful pouring out of which God kept for the latter days. Where God gives his Spirit, he will give all other blessings. Hereby shall be great increase of the church; thus it shall be spread to distan places. Was there any other Rock, or Protector, that could defend them None besides could foretell these things to come, of which God by his prophets gave notice. All was set in order in the Divine predictions as well as in the Divine purposes. Could any other have done so? Wh can compare with Israel's Redeemer and King?
Is. 44:9-20 Image-making is described, to expose the folly of idolaters. Though a man had used part of a log for fuel, he fell dow before an image made of the remainder, praying it to deliver him. Ma greatly dishonours God, when he represents him after the image of man Satan blinds the eyes of unbelievers, causing absurd reasonings i matters of religion. Whether men seek happiness in worldly things, or run into unbelief, superstition, or any false system, they feed of ashes. A heart deceived by pride, love of sin, and departure from God turns men aside from his holy truth and worship. While the affection are depraved, a man holds fast the lie as his best treasure. Are ou hearts set upon the wealth of the world and its pleasures? They wil certainly prove a lie. If we trust to outward professions and doings as if those would save us, we deceive ourselves. Self-suspicion is the first step towards self-deliverance. He that would deliver his soul must question his conscience, Is there not a lie in my right hand?
Is. 44:21-28 Return unto me. It is the great concern of those who have backslidden from God, like the Jews of old, to hasten their return to him. The work of redemption wrought for us by Christ, encourages to hope for all blessings from him. Our transgressions and our sins are a a thick cloud between heaven and earth: sins separate between us an God; they threaten a storm of wrath. When God pardons sin, he blot out, he dispels this cloud, this thick cloud, so that the way to heave is open again. The cloud is scattered by the Sun of righteousness; it is quite gone. The comforts that flow into the soul when sin is pardoned, are like clear shining after clouds and rain. Let not Israe be discouraged; nothing is too hard for God: having made all, he can make what use he pleases of any. Those that learn to know Christ, se all knowledge to be foolishness, in comparison with the knowledge of him. And his enemies will find their counsels turned into foolishness and themselves taken in their craftiness. The exact fulfilling the prophecies of Scripture confirms the truth of the whole, and proves it Divine origin. The particular favours God designed for his people i captivity, were foretold here, long before they went into captivity Very great difficulties would be in the way of their deliverance; but it is promised that by Divine power they should all be removed. God knew who should be the Deliverer of his people; and let his church know it, that when they heard such a name talked of, they might know their redemption drew nigh. It is the greatest honour of the greatest men, to be employed as instruments of the Divine favour to his people. I things wherein men serve themselves, and look no further, God make them do all his pleasure. And a nobler Shepherd than Cyrus does his Father's will, till his work is fully completed _________________________________________________
Original Hebrew הוי1945 רב7378 את853 יצרו3335 חרשׂ2789 את853 חרשׂי2789 אדמה127 היאמר559 חמר2563 ליצרו3335 מה4100 תעשׂה6213 ופעלך6467 אין369 ידים׃3027
