Adam Clarke's Bible Commentary Verse 1. Ho, every one that thirsteth] "Water, "says Zimchi, "is a metaphor for the law and wisdom: as the world cannot subsist without water, so it is impossible that it can subsist without wisdom. The law is also compared to wine and milk: to wine because wine rejoiceth the heart, as it is written: 'The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart,' Psa. xix. 8. It is compared also to milk, because milk is the subsistence of the child; so are the words of the law the nourishment of his soul who walks in the Divine teaching, and grows up under it." Come, buy wine and milk] In ancient times our forefathers used what is now called the old third person singular, ending in eth, for the imperative mood. We have a fine example of His in the first verses of this chapter. I shall present them as they stand in my old MS. Bible: - Alle gee thirstinge cummeth to wateris: and gee that han not sylver, goth forth and bieth, and etith. Cummeth, bieth without silver, and without eny chaungyng, wyn and mylc. Heerith gee, heering me and etith gode thinge, and deliten schal in fattnesse your soule. Bowith in your eie and cummeth to mee, heerith and liven schal your soule. And I shall smyten with gou, everlastynge covenant, the faithful mercies of David.
Matthew Henry Commentary
- The increase of the church by the conversion of the Jews and Gentiles (Is. 54:1-5) Its certain deliverance. (Is. 54:6-10) Its triumphan state is described. (Is. 54:11-17)
Is. 54:1-5 Observe the low state of religion in the world, for a lon time before Christianity was brought in. But by preaching the gospel multitudes were converted from idols to the living God. This is matte of great rejoicing to the church. The bounds of the church wer extended. Though its state on earth is but mean and movable, like tent or tabernacle, it is sometimes a growing state, and must be enlarged as the family increases. But the more numerous the churc grows, the more she must fortify herself against errors an corruptions. Thy Maker is thy Husband. Christ is the Holy One of Israel, the Mediator of the covenant made with the Old Testamen church. Long he had been called the God of Israel; but now he shall be called the God of the whole earth. And he will cleanse from sin, an cause every true believer to rejoice in this sacred union. We never can enough admire this mercy, or duly value this privilege.
Is. 54:6-10 As God is slow to anger, so he is swift to show mercy. An how sweet the returns of mercy would be, when God should come an comfort them! He will have mercy on them. God's gathering his people takes rise from his mercy, not any merit of theirs; and it is with great mercies, with everlasting kindness. The wrath is little, the mercies great; the wrath for a moment, the kindness everlasting. We ar neither to despond under afflictions, nor to despair of relief Mountains have been shaken and removed, but the promises of God neve were broken by any event. Mountains and hills also signify great men Creature-confidences shall fail; but when our friends fail us, our God does not. All this is alike applicable to the church at large, and to each believer. God will rebuke and correct his people for sins; but he will not cast them off. Let this encourage us to give the mor diligence to make our calling and election sure.
Is. 54:11-17 Let the people of God, when afflicted and tossed, thin they hear God speaking comfortably to them by these words, takin notice of their griefs and fears. The church is all glorious when ful of the knowledge of God; for none teaches like him. It is a promise of the teaching and gifts of the Holy Spirit. All that are taught of God are taught to love one another. This seems to relate especially to the glorious times to succeed the tribulations of the church. Holiness more than any thing, is the beauty of the church. God promise protection. There shall be no fears within; there shall be no fighting without. Military men value themselves on their splendid titles, but God calls them, "Wasters made to destroy," for they make wasting an destruction their business. He created them, therefore he will serv his own designs by them. The day is coming when God will reckon with wicked men for their hard speeches, Jude 1:15. Security and fina victory are the heritage of each faithful servant of the Lord. The righteousness by which they are justified, and the grace by which the are sanctified, are the gift of God, and the effect of his specia love. Let us beseech him to sanctify our souls, and to employ us in his service _________________________________________________
Original Hebrew הוי1945 כל3605 צמא6771 לכו1980 למים4325 ואשׁר834 אין369 לו כסף3701 לכו1980 שׁברו7666 ואכלו398 ולכו1980 שׁברו7666 בלוא3808 כסף3701 ובלוא3808 מחיר4242 יין3196 וחלב׃2461
