Bible Commentaries
Isaiah 59

Verses 1-21

1, 2. An answer to the implied objection that the promises of restoration have not yet been fulfilled.

3. Cp. 1:15.4. RV ’None sueth in righteousness.. in truth.’ The allusion is to unjust prosecutions.

5. Cockatrice]

RM ’adder.’ He that eateth, etc.] i.e. the man who falls in with their plans is ruined thereby, and he who opposes them is confronted with a still greater danger.

6. Their schemes cannot even benefit themselves.

9. The prophet and the people confess their sins. Light] i.e. deliverance.

10. Grope.. wall] seeking guidance: cp. Deuteronomy 28:29. We are .. dead men] RV ’among them that are lusty we are as dead men.’

11. Mourn] i.e. moan (Isaiah 38:14).

12. With us] i.e. present in our thoughts.

14. The street] the open space in the city where business is done, and cases are brought before the judges.

15. Injustice arouses God’s indignation.

Faileth] RV ’is lacking.’ Judgment] justice.

16f. Cp. Isaiah 63:5.;

17. The attributes of Jehovah, which come out clearly in His interposition, are figured as His armour. St. Paul’s imagery (Ephesians 6:14.) is based on this passage.

18. Islands] put for distant lands generally. The judgment affects the world at large as well as Israel.

19. When.. against him] RV ’for he shall come as a rushing stream, which the breath of the Lord’ (i.e. a strong wind) ’driveth.’

20. Redeemer] i.e. Jehovah, who is so called elsewhere: cp. Isaiah 41:14; Isaiah 43:1. This was fulfilled at Christ’s first coming, when He was accepted by the faithful few in Israel. But St. Paul (Romans 11:26) applies the promise to the time when Israel, which did not accept the gospel, shall be restored again to God’s Church, so that its final fulfilment is yet in the future. Zion] i.e. the faithful remnant of the nation, as the next clause explains.

21. My spirit, etc.] The faithful remnant is to be the inspired organ of Jehovah’s revelation.