Isaiah 66

Isaiah 66:1

THe heaven is my throne, &c.] So great is my majestie, that it filleth heaven and earth: and cannot therefore be confined to any place, nor included in any Temple, as an idol may. 1 Kings 8:27. 2 Chron. 6. 18. Jeremiah 23:25. Matth. 5. 34, 35. Acts 7:49. & Acts 17:24. Controlling hereby the vain confidence of those, that trusted so much in the Temple, and the Sacrifices there performed. Jer. 7. 4, 10.

the place of my rest] As the Sanctuary is styled; and the Temple more specially, wherein God seemed to have taken up a setled abode. Chap. 11. 10. Psalms 132:14.

Isaiah 66:2

all those things hath mine hand made] All things in either were made by me; and have their being from me; Genesis 2:1. Psalms 146:6. John 1:3. Col. 1. 16, 17. Heb. 1. 2, 3. and I therefore have no need of them; but can well be without them: Psal. 50. 10, 11. and much lesse of any mans service. Psalms 16:2. Acts 17:25.

all those things have been] Or, are by it: to wit, by my hand.

But] Or, Yet, or, howbeit as Chap. 65. 20. Though I be so infinitely great, and so all-sufficient of my self. Genesis 17:1.

that is poor and of a contrite spirit, &c.] That is humble, and poor in spirit, and receiveth my word with reverence. Psalms 34:18. Ezra 9:4. & Ezra 10:3. Chap. 57. 15. Matthew 5:3. Vers. 5.

Isaiah 66:3

He that killeth an ox, &c.] Because they trusted much to their sacrifices, and externall services; he sheweth that he regarded no more the sacrifices and oblations of wicked persons, then the sacrifices of heathen people; who sacrificed men, dogs, swine and the like, things forbidden in Gods Law, as vile and abominable. Lev. 20. 2. Psal. 106. 35-38. Deuteronomy 14:8. & Deuteronomy 23:18. Or, that they were in his sight, as hatefull and abominable, as the things here mentioned. Proverbs 15:8. & Proverbs 21:27. Chap. 1. 11-14. Ezekiel 20:39.

as if he slew a man] Heb. smote. Exodus 21:12. Leviticus 24:21.

sacrificeth a lambe] Or, kid. Exodus 12:4.

as if he cut off a dogs neck] Or, beheaded: cut off the head by the neck. Heb. necked a dog: the word used here, and Deuteronomy 21:4. being derived from that which signifieth the hinder part of the neck, on which in beheading man or beast the executioners stroke is wont to light. See Jeremiah 2:27.

that burneth incense] Heb. maketh a memoriall of it. Leviticus 2:2.

as if he blessed an idol] Heb. vanitie. Such as all idols are. Jeremiah 10:15.

yea, they have, &c.] Or, since that they choose.

chosen, &c.] Chap. 1. 29. and 65. 12.

their soul delighteth] Or, they delight. Hebrews 10:38.

Isaiah 66:4

I also will choose their delusions] Or, their devises. See Jeremiah 38:19. I will discover, and lay open their lewd courses; and punish them for the same. Psalms 50:21. Or, I will deal with them, as they deal with me. Lev. 26. 28. Psalms 18:26. as they choose to do such things, as I delight not in; vers. 3. so will I choose to do such things to them, as they shall have small pleasure in; even such things as shall bring shame and terror upon them. See Chap. 65. 12. Jeremiah 34:17.

bring their fears upon them] Proverbs 10:24. Jeremiah 42:16. Ezekiel 11:8.

when I called, none did answer, &c.] Proverbs 1:24. Chap. 50. 2. & 65. 12. Jeremiah 7:13.

they did evil before mine eyes] Or, that which is evil in my sight: that is, displeasing to me. See vers. 3. Chap. 65. 12.

Isaiah 66:5

ye that tremble at his word] Vers. 2.

Your brethren that hated you, &c.] He comforteth the faithfull, against their professed, but false brethren, that maligned and impugued them for serving God sincerely: Psalms 38:20. Son 1:6. John 9:34. 2 Corinthians 11:26. and either pretended to glorifie God by casting them out: John 16:2. or derided their expectation of Gods glorious coming in judgement to right the wrongs done them. Chap. 5. 19. 2 Peter 3:3-4.

Let the LORD be glorified] Or, appear in glory. Chap. 2. 11. 2 Thessalonians 1:10. Titus 2:13.

he shall appear] Psal. 50. 1, 2. 5. 2 Thessalonians 1:7-10.

Isaiah 66:6

A voice of noise from the citie, &c.] Or, For there shal’l be heard a voice, &c. They shall shortly hear from the Citie and Temple (on which they so much relie) a dreadfull noise of fire and slaughter; who will not now hear the voice of Gods Prophets calling to them for repentance. Ezek. 9. 6, 7. & 24. 21.

that rendreth] Heb. rendring.

recompense to his enemies] Chap. 59 18.

Isaiah 66:7

Before she travailed, she brought forth, &c.] Meaning, that the deliverance and restauration of the Church should be so sudden, and contrary to expectation; Psal. 126. 1, 2. as when a woman is delivered before she looked, and that without pain. Alluding, as may seem, to the speech of the Egyptian midwives concerning the Hebrew women; Exodus 1:19. but in all likelihood, comparing their deliverance by Cyrus, done suddenly, without any labour of theirs, Ezra 1. 1, 2. Chap. 45. 13. with that from the Egyptian bondage; which was not effected without great strugling and much ado. Exodus 3:19. & 5, 9, 19, 21, 23. & 6. 9.

she was delivered] See Chap. 34. 15.

of a man-child] Heb. of a male. Exodus 13:12. Which makes the joy the greater. Luke 1:13-14. John 16:21. Either Christ himself, or manlike Christians, as well outwardly as inwardly resembling him, and one with him. Revelation 12:5. Galatians 4:19. 2 Corinthians 3:18. & 2 Corinthians 4:16. Galatians 3:16. 1 Corinthians 12:12.

Isaiah 66:8

shall the earth be made to bring forth in one day] Or, shall a land be brought forth in a day? land for nation or people. as Chap. 37. 18.

shall a nation be born at once] Intimating the multitude of those, that should suddenly be born anew and brought home to Christ by the ministery of the word in the dayes of the Gospel. Chap. 60. 22. Act. 2. 41, 47. & 4. 4. & 5. 14. & 6. 7. & 8. 1, 12. & 11. 18, 23. & 13. 44, 48. figured by those multitudes, that returned on a sudden from Babylon; as if a whole nation had been born in one day. Ezra 2:62.

Isaiah 66:9

Shall I bring to the birth, and not cause to bring forth? saith the LORD] Or, Shall I, that open the matrice, (Heb. make the breach. Chap 37. 3.) not beget? or, not cause to bring forth? Shall I, that give others power to bring forth, not breed, but remain barren, my self? or, not enable my Zion to bring forth? vers. 8.

shall I cause to bring forth, and shut the wombe, &c.] Or, am I he that cause to bring forth? and shall I shut? Genesis 16:2. Should I, that open the womb to others, shut up my Zions? and not make her fruitfull? See Gen. 20. 17, 18. & 29. 31. & 30. 22.

Isaiah 66:10

Rejoyce ye with Jerusalem] As friends and allies are wont to do, at the child-birth of one, that hath long been childlesse. Luke 1:28. or, at the recovery of one that hath been utterly decayed, and ruined in his estate. Job 42:11.

rejoyce for joy] Or, with joy: exceedingly. Chap. 61. 10.

ye that mourn for her] Or, that mourned for her: formerly; in the time of her afflictions. Chap. 61. 3.

Isaiah 66:11

That ye may suck, &c.] That ye may be spiritually nursed up by her, 1 Thes. 2. 7. 1 Timothy 4:6. and receive abundance of consolation from her. Psalms 36:8. Ezek. 14. 22, 23.

the breasts] Heb. teat. Chap. 60. 16.

with the abundance] Or, brightnes. Chap. 60. 5.

Isaiah 66:12

I will extend peace to her like a river] Or, floud. Chap. 59. 19. Prosperitie in abundance. Chap. 48. 18.

the glory of the Gentiles] Their wealth and abundance. Chap. 60. 5, 6, 9, 11, 13.

ye shall be born upon her sides, &c.] Heb. side: in her arms, on the one side: as children use to be carried. Ye shall be cherished by her, as her darlings. Genesis 30:3. & Genesis 50:23. Rth 4:16. Chap. 49. 22. & 60. 4, 16.

Isaiah 66:13

so will I comfort you] Chap. 12. 1. & 51. 3.

Isaiah 66:14

your heart shall rejoyce] Ye shall rejoyce heartily. Psalms 105:3.

your bones shall flourish like an herb] Ye shall revive and flourish again; as plants do in the spring, which in winter seemed dead: Chap. 26. 19. & 65. 22. like those dead bones, Ezekiel 37:1; Ezekiel 37:4; Ezekiel 37:11.

the hand of the LORD shall be known towards his servants] Gods goodnesse: his good hand for their good, shall evidently appear. Ezra. 7. 6. 9. & 8. 18. Chap. 61. 2. & 63. 4.

his indignation towards his enemies] Heb. he shall be wroth with his enemies.

Isaiah 66:15

and with his chariots like a whirlwind] Or, and his chariots shall be like a whirlwind. See Chap. 5. 28. Jeremiah 4:13.

to render his anger with fury] This vengeance God began to execute at the destruction of Babylon; and will continue it against the enemies of his Church to the last day; at which it shall fully and finally be accomplished. Psal. 50. 1, 3. & 97. 3. Vers. 24. Chap. 34. 2. 2 Thessalonians 1:8.

his rebuke] See Chap. 50. 2. & 51. 20. & 54. 9.

Isaiah 66:16

will the LORD plead with all flesh] Or, execute judgement upon. 2 Chron. 22. 8. or, proceed in judgement with. Jeremiah 2:35. All those, that are his and his Churches enemies. Chap. 34. 2.

Isaiah 66:17

that sanctifie themselves] That pretend holinesse, being but hypocrites. Chap. 65. 5. or, use superstitious rites of purification; such as the heathen idolaters used.

purifie themselves in the gardens] Or, for the gardens. (as Hosea 12:12.) Wherein they exercised their idolatry. Chap. 1. 29. and 65. 3.

behind one tree in the midst] Behind some one tree or other. Jeremiah 3:6. Or, one after another, in open view. Numbers 25:6. Or, in the midst of the gardens, behind Ehad; that is, behind the Temple of Ehad: or, after Ehad, whom they follow and adore. as Judges 2:11-12. Ehad, or Ahad, an idol so called, which some suppose to have been the same with Hadad, from whom the Syrian Kings had their name: 1 Kings 20:1. and both those to be names of the Sun, which the Heathen worshipped as a chief God.

eating swines flesh] Chap. 65. 4.

the abomination] Or, the shikkets: some unclean creature so tearmed: or, abominable beasts. Zechariah 9:7.

Isaiah 66:18

For I know their works and their thoughts: it shall come, that I will gather all nations, &c.] Or, As for me, since their works and thoughts are such; or, because of these their works and thoughts, the time is coming, wherein I will, &c. Or, when the time of punishing their works and thoughts is come, I will gather all nations, &c. as if he had said; Since that the Jewish people take such courses, the time shall come, that I will execute judgement upon them: and casting of such as continue therein among them; will take the Gentiles to me in their stead. Rom. 11. 11, 12, 15, 17.

and tongues] Such as speak divers languages. Acts 2:8,—11. Revelation 7:9.

see my glory] They shall be partakers of that my glory, which I formerly imparted to the Jews onely. Psalms 97:6. Chap. 40. 5. Ephesians 3:6.

Isaiah 66:19

I will set a sign among them] Or, upon them: as Nehem. 2. 12. I will set a sign upon them, to mark them out for salvation. Ezekiel 9:4. Eph. 4. 30. 2 Tim. 2. 19. Revelation 7:3. Or, I will set up among them, that is, among the convert Jews, Act. 2. 37-41. the ministery of my word, as an ensign or standard, to gather people together into the Church. Chap. 49. 22. & 62. 10.

I will send those that escape of them] Of the remnant of those, whom I yet reserve. Romans 11:5.

unto the nations] Into all parts of the world, to publish the Gospel. Matthew 28:18. Mark 16:15. Act. 8. 1, 4. & 11. 19. Romans 10:15; Romans 10:18.

Tarshish] Cilicia: or the Ocean. Chap. 23. 1.

Pul] Affrica; to the South: the same, it may be, with Put. Jeremiah 46:9.

Lud] Lydia: to the East. Genesis 10:22. Ezekiel 27:10.

that draw the bow] That affords archers of speciall note. Jeremiah 46:9.

Tubal] Sclavonie; to the North. Genesis 10:2. Ezekiel 27:13. Romans 15:19.

Javan] Greece and Italie; to the west. Genesis 10:2.

the isles] Or, countries. Chap. 20. 6. & 49. 1.

that have not heard my fame] Or, the report of me. Chap. 53. 1. That never heard of the Gospel before. Chap. 65. 1. Romans 15:19-21.

and they shall declare my glory among the Gentiles] Or, that they may. as Chap. 64. 5. Malachi 1:9. Fulfilled in the Apostles, and others first sent abroad from the Jews to the Gentiles. Luke 24:47; Luke 24:49.

Isaiah 66:20

bring all your brethren for an offering] The Gentiles made by faith the children of Abraham; and an holy people consecrate to God, as ye are Rom. 4. 11, 12. Gal. 2. 26, 29. See Chap. 60. 9. Romans 15:16. Phil. 2. 17.

upon horses and in chariots, &c.] Signifying, that no necessary means shall be wanting to bring them home unto God. Chap. 49. 22. and alluding to the helps afforded the Jews in their return from Babylon. Ezra 2:66-67.

and in litters] Or, coaches.

upon swift beasts] Heb. skipping beasts. 2 Samuel 6:14; 2 Samuel 6:16. such as dromedaries. Chap. 60. 6. Jeremiah 2:23.

to my holy mountain] Heb. my mountain of holinesse. Chap. 65. 11, 25.

Jerusalem] Or, at Jerusalem. Psalms 68:29. or, the hill of Jerusalem. Chap. 10. 32. See Jeremiah 17:3.

Isaiah 66:21

I will also take of them] Of those convert Gentiles: as Timothie, Acts 16:2. 3. Titus, Galatians 2:3. and others.

for priests, and for Levites] To be Ministers of the Gospel: to be then as the Priests and Levites formerly were. Exodus 19:6. Chap. 61. 6. 1 Pet. 29. Revelation 1:6.

Isaiah 66:22

the new heavens, and the new earth] The Kingdome of Christ. Hebrews 12:28. under which the Church shall be so renewed, that there shall be as it were a new world. Chap. 65. 17. 2 Corinthians 5. 17. 2 Peter 3:13. Revelation 21:1.

shall remain] Or, abide. Heb. stand. Chap. 10. 32. Jeremiah 32:14.

so shall your seed &c.] A continuall succession of faithfull ones to the worlds end. Jeremiah 31:36; Jeremiah 33:26.

Isaiah 66:23

from one new-moon to another, and from one sabbath to another, &c.] Heb. from new moon to his new moon, and from sabbath to his sabbath. Continually; as holding a perpetuall Sabbath without intermission; not at set times and seasons onely, as before. Numbers 10:10. Levit. 23. 3, 4. Deuteronomy 16:16. Col. 2. 16. Or, constantly; at such times as holy meetings are, without omission of any. Psalms 110:3. Luke 2. 37.

all flesh] All sorts of men: all people; as well Gentiles, as Jews. Chap. 40. 5. Joe 2:28. See Chap. 56. 7. Vers. 20.

Isaiah 66:24

look upon] Or, behold, or, see.

the carcasses of the men that have transgressed, &c.] As he shewed before what comfort the faithfull within the Church shall enjoy: so now, what calamities shall befall the wicked, and those without. Revelation 22:15. & Revelation 21:8.

for their worm shall not die] Or, how their worm dieth not. as Lamentations 1:9. See Mark 9:44.

their worm] A perpetuall torment of conscience within; that shall be continually gnawing them, and never suffer them to rest. Chap. 57 20, 21. Alluding to the worms, that breed in, and feed on dead carcasses, cast out and rotting on the face of the earth. Chap. 14. 11. Job 17:14. & Job 21:26. & Job 24:20.

neither shall their fire be quenched] Or, neither is their fire quenched. The torment of hell fire from without; in which they shall abide for ever, without ease or end. Matthew 3:12. & Matthew 10:28. & Matthew 18:8-9. Matthew 25:41; Matthew 25:46. Revelation 14:10-11. Alluding to such fires as are made for the burning of carcasses, where conveniencie of buriall is not. Chap. 9. 5. & 30. 33.

shall be] Or, are an abhorring.

into all flesh] To all the creatures: or, to the faithfull of all sorts. Vers. 13.