Isaiah 32

Isaiah 32:1

a King] Ezekiah. Yet a type of Christ; as before him, David, Ezek. XXXIV. 24.

Shall reigne] Hence some suppose this Prophecie to have been delivered in Ahaz his dayes. Some in Hezekiahs, concerning his religigious and righteous government of his people, specialy after the overthrow of Sennacherib; and his recovery out of his sicknesse.

Princes] Under Hezekiah.

Isaiah 32:2

And a man] Each one under him.

in a weary land] Where men are weary of travelling, through heat, and drought.

Isaiah 32:3

not be dim] Or closed, as those, ch. XXIX. 10. and VI. 9. Not look another way, from God, unto Idols: from the light of Gods Word, and his judgements conspicuously manifested unto them; not wilfully shut their eyes, or turne them aside from them; as those, chap. XXVI. 11.

Shall hearken] Not refuse to hear, as formerly, chap. XXVIII. 9,—13. and XLVIII. 18. but hearkeu diligently, as chap. XXI. 7. and XXIX. 18. and XXX. 21. and XXXV. 5.

Isaiah 32:4

stammerers] That did but stammer before at any good and religious speech, shall now manifest the inward alteration and change of their hearts by their ready religious speaking the language of Canaan, that which may minister grace and edification to the hearers.

Isaiah 32:5

no more called liberal] They shall no more call vice, vertue; evil, good; but they shall in singlenesse of soul call sinne, sinne, a spade, a spade.

Isaiah 32:6

For the vile person] His description.

Isaiah 32:7

Churle] His description.

Isaiah 32:8

Liberal] His description. The drift seemes to be this, That in Hezekiah’s reigne, base-minded, and evil-affected persons should not be now raised and advanced unto places of honour and authority, as in his father Ahaz his time too many had been; and too likely base and wicked Shebna: But now, only worthy men.

Isaiah 32:9

Rise up] Esay here returnes to speak of those troubles that were to come, before the establishment of the State, in maner before described.

ye women] The Court-Ladies especialy, that were faulty, as the men; and the more secure and carelesse, as lesse fore-seeing dangers to come; and yet must suffer in them alike, though lesse able to bear them then the men. Therefore Esay rouzeth up them; and by them, the men.

Isaiah 32:10

Many dayes and years] Heb. Many dayes above a year. Some use the translation in the text: and apply it to the LXX years in the Babylonish captivity: Others rather use the marginal reading; and apply it to a just and exact limitation of that calamitous time of almost two years, whiles the Assyrian abode in the land; For full two years he could not be there, considering he came in, in the fourteenth year of Hezekiah, 2 Kings XVIII. 13. And afterwards Hezekiahs life was prolonged fifteen years, chap. XXXVIII. 5. And he reigned but 29. in all, 2 Kings XVIII. 2.

Isaiah 32:12

for the teats] Which were to them as teats. Some translate, There shall be beating upon the breasts, Nahum II. 7.

Isaiah 32:13

shall come up thornes] Esay seemes here to passe from that short invasion of the Assyrian, to that greater and longer of the Chaldean Nebuchadnezzar: As if he should say, I am now farther to acquaint you with this later; and which is far worse every way, and of a far longer continuance; in this, and the next verse.

for ever] a long time, about seventy years. Of, ever, see the Observations on Deut. XV. 17.

Isaiah 32:15

Vntill the Spirit] Esay concludes, as usualy, with gracious Promises. This promise may extend also to the time of the Messias.

Isaiah 32:19

when it shall haile coming down on the forrest] God will preserve the fruits of the earth for them, that they shall not with storme and tempest be destroyed.

and the Citie shall be low in a low place] Though the Cities built there, yet shall be there secure, verse 18. even though, say some, it haile never so much; and Cities be brought never so low.

Isaiah 32:20

Blessed are ye] Gods blessing on their husbandry and labours. Appliable to Gods spiritual husbandry, in the Ministery of the Gospel.