Isaiah 38

Isaiah 38:2

The word - Or, the matter or thing, as this Hebrew word commonly signifies; the prophecy or vision.

Isaiah 38:3

In the last days - In the times of the Messiah. For Christ’s institutions were to continue to the end of the world. The mountain - The temple of the Lord which is upon mount Moriah; which yet is not to be understood literally of that material temple, but mystically of the church of God; as appears from the flowing of all nations to it, which was not to that temple, nor indeed was fulfilled ’till that temple was destroyed. Exalted - Shall be placed and settled in a most conspicuous and glorious manner, being advanced above all other churches and kingdoms.

Isaiah 38:4

The law - The new law, the doctrine of the gospel, which is frequently called a law, because it hath the nature and power of a law, obliging us no less to the belief and practice of it, than the old law did.

Isaiah 38:6

The light - Take heed that you do not reject that light which is so clear that even the blind Gentiles will discern it.

Isaiah 38:7

Therefore - For the following reasons. Thou - Wilt certainly forsake and reject. Thy people - The body of that nation. Because - Their land is full of the idolatrous manners of the eastern nations, the Syrians and Chaldeans. Philistines - Who were infamous for those practices. They please - They delight in their company, and conversation, making leagues, and friendships, and marriages with them.

Isaiah 38:8

Treasures - They have heaped up riches, and still are greedily pursuing after more.

Isaiah 38:10

The great man - Men of all ranks fall down and worship idols.

Isaiah 38:11

Enter - Such calamities are coming upon you, that you will be ready to hide yourselves in rocks and caves of the earth, for fear of the glorious and terrible judgments of God.

Isaiah 38:13

The day - The time of God’s taking vengeance upon sinners.

Isaiah 38:14

The cedars - The cedars and oaks on the mountains shall be either thrown down by furious winds or earthquakes, or torn in pieces by thunder and lightning; and the stately houses built with cedars and oaks, shall be destroyed.

Isaiah 38:15

Hills - To which men used to betake themselves in times of danger.

Isaiah 38:16

Wall - To which you trusted for your defence.

Isaiah 38:17

Tarshish - The ships of the sea, as that word is used, Psal 48:7, whereby you fetched riches from the remote parts of the world.

Isaiah 38:20

They - The idolatrous Israelites.

Isaiah 38:21

Shall cast - Into the meanest and darkest places, in which moles and bats have their abode.