Isa. 50 The dereliction of the Jews is not of Christ; for he hath power to save, Isa. 50:1–4; and was obedient in that work; and God is present with him, Isa. 50:5–9. An exhortation not to trust in ourselves, but in God, Isa. 50:10–11.

Thus saith the Lord: this is another sermon begun here, and continued in the next chapter. The main scope of it is to vindicate God’s justice, and to convince the Jews that they were the causes of all their calamities which they imputed to God.

The general accusation delivered in the last words he now proveth by particular instances. When I came; when I, first by my prophets, and at last by my Son, came unto them, to call them to repentance, and to redeem and deliver them, as it is explained in the following clauses of this verse.

I clothe the heavens with blackness; or, I will or can clothe &c. What I once did in Egypt, when I drew black curtains before all the heavenly lights, and caused an unparalleled and amazing darkness for three days together, to the great terror of mine enemies, so I can and will do still when it is…

God having asserted his own power, to show the groundlessness of the infidelity of the Jews, he proceeds to show what excellent and effectual means he used to bring them to repentance and salvation; which he mentions as a great aggravation of their unbelief and rebellion, which by this means was…

Hath opened mine ear; hath revealed unto me; or rather, hath given me a power and will to hear and receive his commands, as this phrase is used, Ps. 40:6, Isa. 35:5, and elsewhere. I was not rebellious; I readily did and suffered what he required of me.

I gave my back to the smiters; I patiently yielded up myself, and turned my back to those who smote me. I was willing not only to do, but to suffer, the will of God, and the injuries of men. This and the following passages were literally fulfilled in Christ, as is expressly affirmed, Matt.

For; or rather, But, as this particle is oft rendered. For God’s favour is here opposed to the injuries of men. The Lord God will help me; though as a man I am weak and inconsiderable, yet God will strengthen me to go through my great and hard work.

He is near; God, though he seem to be at a distance, and to hide his face from me, yet he is in truth at my right hand, and ready to help me. That justifieth me; that will publicly acquit me from all the calumnies of mine adversaries, who say that I am a transgressor of the law, a false teacher and…

That shall condemn me; that dare attempt it, or can justly do it. They all, mine accusers and enemies, shall wax old as a garment; the moth shall eat them up: shall pine away in their iniquity, as God threatened, Lev.

Who is among you that feareth the Lord? he now turneth his speech from the unbelieving and rebellious Jews to those of them who were or should be pious. Of his servant; of the same person of whom he hath hitherto spoken; of Christ, who is called God’s servant, Isa. 52:13, Isa.

All ye that kindle a fire, that you may enjoy the light and comfort of it, as it is explained in the following words. You that reject the light which God hath set up, and refuse the counsel of his servant, and seek for comfort, and safety, and the knowledge of God’s mind, and the enjoyment of his…