Isaiah 11:11-14 - Coke's Commentary on the Holy Bible

And it shall come to pass, &c.— Another event of the kingdom of the Messiah is, the calling of the dispersed Jews, the outcasts of Israel, the dispersed of Judah, and their general collection to the church. The period is difficult: it divides itself into two parts: the first describing the benefit itself of this vocation and collection, and its manner; Isaiah 11:11-12 and the second, the state of the people restored. There can be no doubt of the subject of this prophesy. It certainly refers to the Jews; but there is more difficulty in determining the period to which this prophesy refers. There were two collections of the dispersed Jews after the delivery of this prophesy: the one from the Babylonish captivity; the other of those who were dispersed among the Gentiles, and who were called to the faith at the first preaching of the Gospel: a third will hereafter follow, as we learn from other prophesies; and that universal, of the whole Jewish race to the communion of Christ in the latter days. See Romans 11:25-26 and it seems that the prophet in this place more immediately refers to this last and general calling of the Jews; which, according to him, is evidently to happen after the calling of the Gentiles: this appears probable from a variety of parallel passages in the prophets, and from the emblem made use of; wherein this deliverance of the Jews under the Messiah is compared by the prophet to their great and entire redemption out of Egypt. See Isaiah 11:15. It is my opinion, therefore, says Vitringa, that this prophesy, in its first sense, with respect to its incipient completion, is to be referred to the first time of establishing the kingdom of Christ out of Canaan; but in its second sense, with respect to its perfect completion, to the end of time. The reader must observe here, in proof of what has been advanced above, that the prophet's ideas respecting this future and spiritual deliverance, are wholly taken from the temporal deliverances of the Jews out of Assyria and Egypt. In the 13th and 14th verses the state of the converted Jews is set forth; first, That all envy shall be extinguished among them, and a true brotherly love shall fill their souls; and secondly, that, joined to the Gentiles, they shall strenuously defend the cause of Christ and his kingdom against the enemies and opposers of it. The sense of the 14th verse can be understood in no other than a spiritual and mystical sense, to signify that those who are called by the Gospel, and converted to Jesus Christ, full of zeal for his glory, shall labour with all their might to reduce to the obedience of Christ all the people bordering upon the Jewish nation, and who were formerly enemies to it; such as the Philistines, Ammonites, Moabites, Arabs, and Syrians; either confounding them by the clear demonstration of the truth, or, by rational convictions and the grace of God, subjecting them to the obedience of Christ, and his church. See 2 Corinthians 10:4.Matthew 11:12. They shall fly upon the shoulders of the Philistines toward the west, is a metaphorical expression, signifying literally, that the Jews and Ephraimites with a sudden and quick motion, like that of birds, should invade the Philistines, who were situated towards the East, and subdue them. Lowth renders the passage, They shall invade the borders of the Philistines westward. The history of the church manifestly proves the completion of this prophesy in part; and other prophesies respecting the state of the Jews evidently lead us to expect the perfect completion in God's good time.