Adam Clarke's Bible Commentary Verse 7. The rams of Nebaioth shall minister unto thee] Vitringa on the place understands their ministering, and ascending or going up on the altar, as offering themselves voluntarily: ipsi se, non expectato sacerdote alto, gloriae et sanctificationi divini nominis ultro ac libenter oblaturi. "They, waiting for no priest, go and freely offer themselves to the glory and sanctification of the sacred name. " This gives a very elegant and poetical turn to the image. It was a general notion that prevailed with sacrificers among the heathen, that the victim's being brought without reluctance to the altar was a good omen; and the contrary a bad one. Sabinos petit aliquanto tristior; quod sacrificanti hostia aufugerat. Sueton. Titus, cap.
x. Accessit dirum omen, profugus altaribus tauris. "It was an omen of dreadful portent when the victim fled away from the altar. " Tacit. Hist. iii. 56. - L.
Matthew Henry Commentary
- Reproofs of sin and wickedness. (Is. 59:1-8) Confession of sin, an lamentation for the consequences. (Is. 59:9-15) Promises of deliverance. (Is. 59:16-21)
Is. 59:1-8 If our prayers are not answered, and the salvation we wai for is not wrought for us, it is not because God is weary of hearin prayer, but because we are weary of praying. See here sin in tru colours, exceedingly sinful; and see sin in its consequences exceedingly hurtful, separating from God, and so separating us, no only from all good, but to all evil. Yet numbers feed, to their ow destruction, on infidel and wicked systems. Nor can their skill of craft, in devising schemes, as the spider weaves its web, deliver of save them. No schemes of self-wrought salvation shall avail those wh despise the Redeemer's robe of righteousness. Every man who is destitute of the Spirit of Christ, runs swiftly to evil of some sort but those regardless of Divine truth and justice, are strangers to peace.
Is. 59:9-15 If we shut our eyes against the light of Divine truth, it is just with God to hide from our eyes the things that belong to ou peace. The sins of those who profess themselves God's people, are wors than the sins of others. And the sins of a nation bring publi judgments, when not restrained by public justice. Men may murmur unde calamities, but nothing will truly profit while they reject Christ an his gospel.
Is. 59:16-21 This passage is connected with the following chapters. It is generally thought to describe the coming of the Messiah, as the Avenger and Deliverer of his church. There was none to intercede with God to turn away his wrath; none to interpose for the support of justice and truth. Yet He engaged his own strength and righteousnes for his people. God will make his justice upon the enemies of his church and people plainly appear. When the enemy threatens to bear dow all without control, then the Spirit of the Lord shall stop him, pu him to flight. He that has delivered, will still deliver. A far mor glorious salvation is promised to be wrought out by the Messiah in the fulness of time, which all the prophets had in view. The Son of God shall come to us to be our Redeemer; the Spirit of God shall come to be our Sanctifier: thus the Comforter shall abide with the church for ever, John 14:16. The word of Christ will always continue in the mouth of the faithful; and whatever is pretended to be the mind of the Spirit, must be tried by the Scriptures. We must lament the progress of infidelity and impiety. But the cause of the Redeemer shall gain complete victory even on earth, and the believer will be more tha conqueror when the Lord receives him to his glory in heaven _________________________________________________
Original Hebrew כל3605 צאן6629 קדר6938 יקבצו6908 לך אילי352 נביות5032 ישׁרתונך8334 יעלו5927 על5921 רצון7522 מזבחי4196 ובית1004 תפארתי8597 אפאר׃6286
