Isaiah 64 - Wesley's Explanatory Notes

Rent — A metaphor taken from men, that when they would resolutely help one in distress, break and fling open doors and whatever may hinder. Flow down — That all impediments might be removed out of the way: possibly an allusion to God's coming down upon mount Sinai, in those terrible flames of fire.

Fire — Come with such zeal for thy people, that the solid mountains may be no more before thy breath, than metal that runs, or water that boils by the force of a vehement fire. Known — That thine enemies may know thy power, and that thy name may be dreaded among them.

Terrible things — This may relate to what he did among the Egyptians, tho' it be not recorded, and afterward in the wilderness. Looked not for — Such things as we could never expect. Mountains — Kings, princes, and potentates, may metaphorically be understood by these mountains.

Besides thee — This is to be applied to all the wonderful works, that God at all times wrought for his people: and thus they are a plea with God, that they might well expect such things from him now, that had done such wonderful things for their fathers. Waiteth — This may be taken with reference both to the state of grace and glory, those incomprehensible things that are exhibited through Christ in the mysteries of the gospel.

Meetest — As the father the prodigal. Worketh — That rejoices to work righteousness. Continuance — To those that work righteousness. Be saved — In so doing, in working righteousness.

Unclean — Formerly there were some that feared thee; but now we are all as one polluted mass, nothing of good left in us by reason of an universal degeneracy. And all — The very best of us all are no better than the uncleanest things. Taken — Carried away to Babylon, as leaves hurried away by a boisterous wind.

That calleth — That call upon thee as they ought. Take hold — Either to stay thee from departing from us, or to fetch thee back when departed.

Our father — Notwithstanding all this thou art our father both by creation, and by adoption, therefore pity us thy children.

Thy people — Thou hast no people in covenant but us, and wilt thou not leave thyself a people in the world?

Pleasant things — The king's palace, and the houses of the nobles, and other pieces of state and magnificence.

Wilt thou — Do none of these things move thee to take vengeance? Thy peace — Wilt thou be as one that regards not?