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Isaiah 65:1-25 open_in_new
1. Render, 'I have offered answers to those who asked not; I have been at hand to those who sought me not.. a nation that hath not called upon my name.' The v. refers to the Israelites who neglected Jehovah's appeals so often made. St. Paul (Romans 10:20) applies the passage by inference to the heathen world.
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Isaiah 65:3 open_in_new
Gardens] the scenes of idolatrous rites in the pre-exile period (Isaiah 1:29; Isaiah 57:5). Upon altars, etc.] RV 'upon bricks,' i.e. perhaps the tiled roofs of houses (2 Kings 23:12).
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Isaiah 65:4 open_in_new
Monuments] RV 'secret places.' The v. alludes to the custom of sleeping in sepulchres or vaults of idol temples to learn the future through dreams. Eat swine's flesh] i.e. in sacrificial meals (Isaiah 66:17); it was forbidden by the Law as unclean (Leviticus 11:7; Deuteronomy 14:8). Broth, etc.] referring to a sacrificial feast of unclean food.
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Isaiah 65:5 open_in_new
Which say, etc.] The words are uttered by those initiated into heathen mysteries, and who therefore considered themselves peculiarly sacred.
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Isaiah 65:6 open_in_new
It (i.e. their sin) is written] cp. Jeremiah 17:1.
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Isaiah 65:7 open_in_new
Upon the mountains] cp. Isaiah 57:7; Hosea 4:13.
Therefore.. work] RV 'there will I first measure their work.' Jehovah must first of all punish these deeds.
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Isaiah 65:8 open_in_new
The meaning is that as a few good grapes often save a cluster from being destroyed, so Israel shall be preserved through the faithful remnant.
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Isaiah 65:10 open_in_new
Sharon] the maritime plain on the W. of Palestine and the valley of Achor near Jericho on the E., are put for the whole land.
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Isaiah 65:11 open_in_new
Ye are they that] RV 'ye that.'
Prepare a table] alluding to rites such as are described in Jeremiah 7:18. That troop] Heb. Gad, i.e. 'Fortune' (RV): cp. Joshua 11:17. Furnish, etc.] 'fill up mingled wine unto Meni' (i.e. 'destiny'). 'Meni' and 'Gad'.in the clause preceding are names of heathen deities.
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Isaiah 65:12 open_in_new
Number you] RV 'destine you.'
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Isaiah 65:15 open_in_new
Ye shall leave, etc.] So fearful will their fate be that their name will be used in imprecation. Jeremiah 29:22 exactly illustrates what is meant.
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Isaiah 65:16 open_in_new
The meaning is that men will recognise the faithfulness of Jehovah.
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Isaiah 65:17 open_in_new
The same language is in NT. applied to God's final interposition and restoration of all things (2 Peter 3:13; Revelation 21:1). Nature itself will be transformed to be in harmony with regenerate Israel: cp. Isaiah 11:6-9.
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Isaiah 65:20 open_in_new
The future, in the prophet's view, will be marked by a return to patriarchal longevity (Genesis 5), the power of death being not altogether removed, but limited. Those who die at 100 will be reckoned as but children, or as prematurely cut off for their sins.
21, 22. Reversal of the curse (Deuteronomy 28:30).
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Isaiah 65:25 open_in_new
Together with the coming golden age for humanity the prophet anticipates a transformation of the lower creation, as in Isaiah 11:6 : cp. Romans 8:19. Dust, etc.] the serpent will be content with the food God assigned to it (Genesis 3:14).