Isaiah 49

Isaiah 49:1

ISles] that is to say, Provinces afarre off. Which have no communication with the Jewes, as the places beyond the Sea, see Isai. 41. 1. whereby are meant the Gentiles Hath called me] that is to say, God the Father shal make known his everlasting decree concerning the sending of me his Sonne, and concerning mine Office; whilest I shal yet be in the Virgins wombe, from whence I shal take flesh upon me, see Matth. 1. 20, 21. Luke 1:31.

Isaiah 49:2

Made my mouth] he shal adde to my Word and Doctrine the power of his Spirit to make it of efficacy to destroy any thing that shall oppose it, see Isaiah 11:4. 2 Thessalonians 2:8. Hebrews 4:12. Rev. 1. 16. & 2. 16. & 19. 15, 21 Hid me] that is to say, he is my defender, and Keeper in the infirmities of the flesh which I shal take upon me.

Isaiah 49:3

Servant] in regard of my humane nature, and voluntary tying of my selfe to fulfill the Law, see Isaiah 42:1. Philippians 2:6-7. Israel] I wil by thy meanes unfold, and lay open my glorious power for the safeguard and deliverance of my people before any other.

Isaiah 49:4

Then I said] the Sonne of God his words complaining to his Father of the Jewes incredulity and obstinate rebellion against his word, which he hath so faithfully preached My judgement] the Italian, my right] that is to say, God knoweth with what uprightnesse, and in what perfection I have accomplished his worke. And therefore he wil crowne me with eternall glory though my labour hath beene in vaine with the most part of the people.

Isaiah 49:5

To bring Jacob] namely, that I should reconcile Jacob unto him, by meanes of his faith and conversion to me Israel] though the body of the Nation doe remaine in its naturall errors, Isai. 53 6. My strength] that is to say, my glory. Or, his divine vertue shall not therefore be taken away from me; but shal rather shew it selfe so much the greater, in calling of all Nations, whereby my glory shal also increase.

Isaiah 49:6

The preserved] namely, this poore Nation, preserved unto Christs time, and delivered out of so many calamities. Others to restore the desolations of Israel.

Isaiah 49:7

To him] namely, to Christ, contemned and hated by the Jewes: and who voluntarily submitted himselfe to humane power, into whose hands they delivered him, see Psalms 22:7. Isaiah 53:3. Kings] that is to say, I wil cause Kings and Princes to acknowledge thee, and submit themselves to the command which I shal give thee, by the preaching of the Gospel Because of]because they shal see God maintaine thy vocation, and Crowne thy perfect obedience with glory, according to the loyalty of his justice.

Isaiah 49:8

Have I heard thee] that is to say, I the Father wil assist thee with mine eternal and divine power, when as being fully appeased with my Church, I shal spread over all the World the fruition of that salvation which thou hast acquired; that by thy perpetual intercession towards me, my worke of grace may be accomplished, without any hinderance Preserve thee] not so much in respect of thine owne person, as in respect of thy Kingdom and Gospel For covenant] that is to say, a Mediator, and foundation of the covenant of grace To establish] figurative terms taken from the peoples deliverance, and return from Babylon.

Isaiah 49:9

They shall] namely, mine elect, being thus freed from sin, and the world, shal by my blessing be borne up in the way of their celestial calling, and shal be preserved from all evil.

Isaiah 49:11

I will make] I wil cause men to come from all parts of the World to my Church, and wil take away all things as may hinder their conversion.

Isaiah 49:12

Of Sinim] according to some they are a people towards the South, where the wildernesse of Sin was, Genesis 10:17. Others think they were a Nation on the furthermost Eastern parts, called formerly Sina, now China.

Isaiah 49:14

Zion] namely, the ancient Church in her greatest afflictions.

Isaiah 49:16

Graven thee] I wil ever remember thee and take care of thee, see Son 8:6.

Isaiah 49:17

Thy children] thy former desolations shal be restored, and recompensed by the calling of the Gentiles, sodainly converted, and joyned to thee in Spirit, by the preaching of the Gospel. And thou shalt be delivered from all thine enemies.

Isaiah 49:18

All these] namely, the multitude of the converted Gentiles Clothe thee] thou shalt by them be made renowned and glorious.

Isaiah 49:19

Thy waste] a figurative description of the unspeakable number of new members, which shal be joyned to the Church under the Gospel.

Isaiah 49:20

The children] namely, the Gentiles converted and regenerate in the Church The other] namely, the carnall Jewes.

Isaiah 49:21

Desolate] that is to say, without a husband, which is God Who by the Babylonian captivity had in a manner made a divorce with the Jewish Church.

Isaiah 49:22

I will lift up] I wil by my power cause Nations and Kingdomes to joyne themselves to the Church, and contribute their favour and assistance for the upholding and increasing of it.

Isaiah 49:23

They shall bow] they shal submit themselves to Christs faith and Kingdom administred by thee. Or, they shal doe homage to Christ present in the middest of thee.

Isaiah 49:24

Shall the prey] an exaggeration of the Churches miraculous deliverance out of the hands of most powerful enemies, who had good right to be Lords over it by reason of the victory which God had granted them over his people. And by this figure is also signified the Churches Redemption from the divels tyrannie, who worked with power, Luke 11:21-22. as executioner of Gods just vengeance.

Isaiah 49:26

Feed them] that is to say, they shal consume and destroy one another, Isaiah 9:20.