Ver. 1. But now, thus saith the Lord.] Here the prophet comforteth those with the gospel whom he had frighted with the law, saith Oecolampadius. That created thee, O Jacob.] By a new creation, especially. (Isaiah 29:23 Ephesians 2:10 2 Corinthians 5:17) Magna sunt opera Dei creatoris, Dei recreatoris longe maxima. The work of redemption is far beyond that of creation. And he that formed thee, O Israel.] As the potter formeth to himself a vessel of honour, and distinguisheth it from other vile and sordid vessels; so have I dealt by thee. I have redeemed thee.] A mercy much celebrated in this book, and for very great reason. I have called thee by thy name.] Which was no small favour. See Exodus 33:17 Ps 147:4. Some think he alludeth to his giving Jacob the name of Israel, when he had wrestled with God and prevailed. Thou art mine.] I have adopted thee, which is no small honour. (1 John 3:1) Meus es tu, you are mine, may very well be the new name spoken of, (Revelation 2:17 Hosea 2:23) better than that of sons and of daughters, (Isaiah 56:5) See it displayed 1 Peter 2:9. Augustine.
Ver. 2. When thou passest through the waters.] Fire and water, we say, have no mercy when once they get above us; extreme calamities are hereby denoted. (Psalms 66:12) But God’s gracious presence kept the bush from burning—burn it did, but was not consumed, through “the good will of him that dwelt in it” saith Moses (Deuteronomy 33:16) -the Israelites in the Red Sea from drowning. (Exodus 14:28,29) His presence made the fiery furnace a gallery of pleasure; the lion’s den a house of defence; the Leonine prison a delectable orchard, as that Italian martyr phrased it; the fiery trial a bed of roses, as another, Tua praesentia, Domine, Laurentio ipsam craticulam dulcem feeit. Jerome of Prague and other martyrs sang in the very flames. Blessed Bilney, being condemned to be burned for the testimony of Jesus, when he was comforted by some against the extremity of the fire, put his hand toward the flame of the candle burning before them, and feeling the heat thereof, Oh, said he, I feel by experience, and have learned by philosophy, that fire by God’s ordinance is naturally hot. But yet I am persuaded by God’s Holy Word, and by the experience of some spoken of in the same, that in the flame they felt no heat, and in the fire no consumption. I constantly believe, that howsoever the stubble of this my body shall be wasted by it, yet my soul and spirit shall be purged thereby; a pain for the time, wherein notwithstanding followeth joy unspeakable; and here he much treated on this text, “Fear not, when thou passest through the waters,” &c. So that some of his friends there present took such sweet benefit therein that they caused the whole said sentence to be fair written in tables, and some in their books, the comfort whereof in varions of them was never taken from them to their dying day. Acts and Mon., fol. 923.
Ver. 3. I gave Egypt for thy ransom.] Quasi victimam piacularem a Sennacheribo mactandam loco Iudcea, in exchange for thee; so the Septuagint render it. This was done when Tirhakah, king of Egypt and Ethiopia, was beaten by Sennacherib, who was then making towards Jerusalem, which he had already devoured in his hopes. (Isaiah 37:9) Thus, “The righteous is delivered out of trouble, and the wicked cometh in his stead.” (Proverbs 11:8) Saul and his people were afflicted by the Philistines, that David might escape. (1 Samuel 23:27,28) The Canaanites were rooted out, to make room for the Israelites. Charles V, and Francis, the French king, after a mutual agreement to root out Lutheranism, fall together by the ears, and the Church all the while hath her halcyons. So the Turks and Persians are at deadly feud, to the great safeguard of Christendom; and the Popish party are as a bulwark between those Mohammedans and the Protestants.
Ver. 5. I will bring thy seed from the east.] From all coasts and quarters. This was a type of the Church in the New Testament; see Matthew 8:11 Joh 11:52 Joh 10:16 Ga 3:28; this was also a type of the last resurrection. See Revelation 20:13.
Ver. 6. I will say to the north, Give up.] I will do it with a word of my mouth, Ipse dixit, et facta sunt. He himself said and is was done. Bring my sons from far, and my daughters.] That is, say some, my stronger and also weaker children, of what size or sex soever. Souls have no sexes. Oecolamp.
Ver. 7. Even every one that is called by my name,] i.e., My sons and my daughters, (Isaiah 43:6 2 Corinthians 6:18) such as have Christian for their name, and Catholic for their surname. I have created him for my glory.] See on Isaiah 43:1. Yea, I have made him,] i.e., Advanced him, as 1 Samuel 12:6. Feci, i.e., magnum effeci. -Pisc.
Ver. 8. Bring forth the blind people.] Such as were blind and ignorant, but now are enlightened. And the deaf.] Such as were cross and rebellious, but now are tractable and obsequious. (Isaiah 42:7,16)