Isaiah 41:8-10 - Hawker's Poor Man's Commentary

I beg the Reader to pause over these blessed verses, and inquire, with me, whether it be not the Lord Jesus that is here spoken to by Jehovah, when beholding him as the Husband and Head of his Church and people? There can be no doubt that such is the case in that similar passage, Isaiah 49:3. for there the Lord Jesus is surely the Speaker. And, indeed, those blessed promises which follow, must confirm it. For all the promises of the Bible are first made to the Person of Christ, and then in Him, they are all yea and amen, to his people. And, if we accept the passage in this delightful view, what beauty and glory do we discover in it? Reader! think what condescension there must be in thy Lord, that there should be a communication of names between Christ and his people, as well as an union and interest in all that Christ hath, as Redeemer. Was it not enough, thou dear Lord, that thy Church should be called by thy name; but wilt thou he called by her's? Is this the manner of men, O Lord God? No, surely! It is indeed customary for women to take the name of their husbands, but it is peculiar to the love and condescension of our Jesus, to call himself Israel, to show his love and oneness with his spouse, the Church; 2 Samuel 7:18-19. When the Reader hath duly pondered the gracious promises, made by Jehovah, to this glorious Israel of ours, even our Christ, to whom they were certainly made, and in whom they were certainly fulfilled, with all their precious yeas and amens: (see some more of the same kind, Psalms 89:20-29; and then see the reasons for them, Hebrews 5:7-10) when the Reader has satisfied his mind on this grand point, let him then remember, for his personal comfort and interest in the same, that what, is given to Christ, as the Head of his Church, is given also to his people in him, as his body; and from an union with him, they are interested in every one. See in proof, 1 Corinthians 3:21-23; 2 Corinthians 1:20.