Bible Commentary

Isaiah 54:16

The Pulpit Commentary on Isaiah 54:16

The Pulpit Commentary · Joseph S. Exell and contributors · Public domain

Behold, I have created, etc. The Church is encouraged to fear no danger by being reminded that all power to do hurt is from God. Whether it be the smith that forges a weapon, or the waster that destroys and lays waste whole countries, or any other worker of woe to man, all are equally brought into being, and sustained in life, by God.

None can do a hurt that God does not allow. The smith that bloweth the coals. In ancient times the smith worked his metal into shape by the help of a blow-pipe, which he blew himself (see Rosellini, 'Monumenti Civili,' pl.

51, fig 4, and pl. 52, fig. 4). For his work; or, for its work: i.e. destruction. The waster; i.e. the conquering king, such as Tiglath-Pileser, Sargon, Sennacherib, Nebuchadnezzar, Cyrus.

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commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Isaiah 54:1-17SECTION IV.—A RENEWAL OF PROMISES TO ISRAEL, COMBINED WITH EXHORTATION (CH. 54-56:8). EXPOSITIONJoseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Isaiah 54:1-17The future of the Church. "The person addressed is the ideal Zion, who is practically identical with the ideal or spiritual Israel." I. HER FRUITFULNESS. Nothing to an Israelitish mind can suggest more forcibly the idea…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryMatthew Henry on Isaiah 54:11-17Let the people of God, when afflicted and tossed, think they hear God speaking comfortably to them by these words, taking notice of their griefs and fears. The church is all glorious when full of the knowledge of God; f…Matthew HenrycommentaryThe Prosperity of the Church; The Prosperity of Zion. (b. c. 706.)THE PROSPERITY OF THE CHURCH; THE PROSPERITY OF ZION. (B. C. 706.) Very precious promises are here made to the church in her low condition, that God would not only continue his love to his people under their troubles as…Matthew HenrycommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Isaiah 54:11-17THE GLORY OF THE NEW JERUSALEM, AND THE HAPPINESS OF ITS INHABITANTS. Hitherto Israel has been addressed; now the direct object of address is Jerusalem. The eye of the prophet passes, however, with a glance, from the ac…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Isaiah 54:16The Divine control of evil forces. "I have created the waster to destroy." This is an assurance which we, with our theological notions of the sphere of Satan, find it very difficult to realize. We cannot associate God d…Joseph S. Exell and contributors