Westminster Annotations, Isaiah · Chapter 56
CHAP. LVI.
Vers. 1. KEep ye judgement] Or, equitie. God here sheweth, what he requireth to be exercised by them, both before, and after their delivery and return from captivitie. Chap. 55. 12. works of merciemercy and equitie, 2 Sam. 8. 15. 1 Chron. 18. 14. Psal. 99. 4. Mic. 6. 8. Zech. 18. 16, 17. the fruits of faith and repentance. Matth. 3. 8. Dan. 4. 27. Gal. 5. 6. Tit. 3. 8.
my salvation is near] Psal. 85. 9. Chap. 46. 13. & 51. 5. Matth. 3. 2. Mark 1. 15.
my righteousnesse] Which I shall shew, both in performance of my promises to you; and in executing judgement upon your oppressours. Chap. 1. 17. & 51. 5.
V. 2. that layeth hold on it] Or, holdeth this fast. Vers. 4. Jer. 8. 5.
keepeth the sabbath] Put here for the whole exercise of religion and piety, as Jer. 17. 21, 22. to be adjoyned to, and go along with the former duties. Vers. 1.
V. 3. Neither let the sonne of the stranger] Let none deem himself uncapable of Gods grace in regard of his countrey, or of his outward state and condition: for God will refuse none, that shall sincerely embrace his service. Act. 1. 34, 35. Rom. 2. 10, 11. 1 Cor. 12, 13. Gal. 3. 28. Col. 3. 11. Chap. 54. 5.
I am a drie tree] Barren; and without possibilitie of issue.
V. 4. unto the eunuchs] Act. 8. 27, 37.
choose] Psal. 119. 30.
the things that please me] Isa. 38. 3. 1 John 3. 22.
take hold of my covenant] Or, hold fast my covenant: Vers. 2, 6. are carefull to observe and keepe covenant with me. Psalm 103. 18.
V. 5. in mine house] In my Church, 1 Tim. 3. 15. among my people. Vers 6.
a place] Heb. hand; as Chap. 57. 8.
a name better then of sonnes and of daughters] Better then that name, that is by issue of either sex here on earth continued. Num. 27. 4. 2 Sam. 18. 18. for they shall be called my people, Hos. 2. 23. and my children, 2 Cor. 6. 18.
an everlasting name] Heb. a name of eternity. Chap. 63. 12.
that shall not be out off] As that by issue continued, it failing, oft is. 1 King. 14. 10. Psal. 109. 13. See Chap. 55. 13.
V. 6. taketh hold of my covenant] Or, holdeth fast my covenant. Who not onelyonly entreth into covenant with me, but is carefull also constantly to observe what thereby he hath obliged himself unto. Vers. 2. 4. Jer. 11. 6.
V. 7. will I bring to my holy mountain] Heb. my mountain of holinesse. Mount Zion; a type of the Church. Chap. 2. 2. & 11. 9. Ezek. 20. 40.
their burnt-offerings and their sacrifices shall be accepted upon mine altar] Their spirituall sacrifices, of themselves, of praise, of prayer, of beneficence, Psal. 50. 23 & 69. 30, 31. & 141. 2. Rom. 12. 1. 2 Cor. 8. 5. Phil. 4. 18. Heb. 13. 15, 16. shall be accepted. Psal. 51. 17, 19. Mal. 1. 11. & 3. 4. Rom. 15. 16. being offered upon the true altar, Christ. Heb. 13. 10, 15. Chap. 60. 7. See Jerem. 33. 18.
mine house shall be called an house of prayer] Matth. 21. 13. Mark 11. 17. Luk. 19. 46. Or, shall be an house of prayer: as Chap. 54. 5. Matth. 5. 9.
for all people] Not for the Jews alone, but for all other people indifferently, without exception or exclusion of any. Rom. 10. 12, 13.
V. 8. befides those that are gathered unto him] Heb. to his gathered, to wit, Gods dispersed ones, among other people. John 10. 16. and 11. 52.
V. 9. All ye beasts of the field] Here seemeth to begin an other prophecie, or sermon: and the four ensuing verses to belong to the Chapter following.
All ye beasts] Heb. Every beast: as Chap. 43. 20.
of the field] The enemies of the people of God; Psal. 80. 13. called upon here to come and destroy them for their wickednesse. Jer. 12. 9.
V. 10. His watchmen are blinde] Their prophets or rulers, as well ecclefiasticall as civill; Chap. 62. 6. Jer. 6. 17. Ezek. 3. 17. & 33. 2, 7. that should watch the approach of the enemie, are blinde; Chap. 42. 19. and any enemie therefore may safely and quietly come in upon them. See Ezek. 34. 5, 8.
all ignorant] Hos. 4. 6.
they are all dumb dogs, &c.] The same prophets, who as wakefull mastives should give warning of the thiefs approaching to the house, or the wolves to the flock; are either dumb, or drunk, or fast asleep.
they cannot bark] By admonishing the people of their sinnes: Chap. 58. 1. and forewarning them of evils imminent for the same. Ezek. 3. 18. 19.
sleeping] Or, dreaming. or, talking in their sleep. or, snorting.
V. 11. greedy dogs] Heb. strong of appetite. Prov. 23. 2.
which can never have enough] Heb. know not to be satisfied: as Jer. 6. 15.
shepheards cannot understand] Ezek. 34. 23. Heb. know not to understand: as Amos 3. 10.
all look to their own way] Chap. 53. 6. Phil. 2. 21.
V. 12. Come ye, say they] They incite and incourage the people to evill courses, which they ought to have withdrawn them from.
I will fetch] Heb. take: as Gen. 18. 7.
to morrow shall be as this day, and much more] We are well yet, and shall be better to morrow: as scoffing at the menaces of Gods prophets. Chap. 22. 13. Or, continuing in their excesse day after day; and inciting others to joyne with them therein. Prov. 23. 35.