Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
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Isaiah
Book: Isaiah
Chapter: 43
Overview:
God's unchangeable
Love for his people.
(1-7) Apostates and
idolaters addressed.
(8-13) The deliverance from
Babylon, and
the
Conversion of the
Gentiles.
(14-21) Admonition to repent of
Sin.
(22-28)
1-7 God's favour and good-will to his people speak abundant
comfort to all believers. The new
Creature, wherever it is, is
of
God's forming. All who are redeemed with the
Blood of his
Son, he has set apart for himself. Those that have
God for them
need not fear who or what be against them. What are
Egypt and
Ethiopia, all their lives and treasures, compared with the
Blood of
Christ? True believers are precious in
God's sight,
his delight is in them, above any people. Though they went as
through
Fire and water, yet, while they had
God with them, they
need fear
No evil; they should be born up, and brought out. The
Faithful are encouraged. They were to be assembled from every
quarter. And with this pleasing object in view, the
Prophet
again dissuades from anxious fears.
8-13 Idolaters are called to appear in defence of their idols.
Those who make them, and trust in them, are like unto them. They
have the shape and faculties of men; but they have not common
sense. But
God's people know the power of his
Grace, the
sweetness of his comforts, the kind care of his
Providence, and
the
Truth of his promise. All servants of
God can give such an
account of what he has wrought in them, and done for them, as
may lead others to know and believe his power,
Truth, and
Love
14-21 The deliverance from
Babylon is foretold, but there is
reference to greater events. The
Redemption of sinners
By
Christ, the
Conversion of the
Gentiles, and the recall of the
Jews, are described. All that is to be done to rescue sinners,
and to bring the believer to
Glory, is little, compared with
that wondrous work of
Love, the
Redemption of
Man.
22-28 Those who neglect to
Call upon
God, are weary of him. The
Master tired not the servants with his commands, but they tired
him with disobedience. What were the riches of
God's
Mercy
toward them? I, even I, am he who yet blotteth out thy
transgressions. This encourages us to repent, because there is
forgiveness with
God, and shows the freeness of Divine
Mercy.
When
God forgives, he forgets. It is not for any thing in us,
but for his mercies' sake, his promise' sake; especially for his
Son's sake. He is pleased to reckon it his honour. Would
Man
justify himself before
God? The attempt is desperate: our first
Father broke the
Covenant, and we all have copied his
Example.
We have
No reason to expect
Pardon, except we seek it
By Faith
in
Christ; and that is always attended
By true
Repentance, and
followed
By newness of
Life,
By Hatred of
Sin, and
Love to
God.
Let us then
Put him in remembrance of the promises he has made
to the penitent, and the satisfaction his Son has made for them.
Plead these with him in wrestling for
Pardon; and declare these
things, that thou mayest be justified freely
By his
Grace. This
is the only way, and it is a sure way to peace.