Verses 9, 10. That they may be ashamed. Who hath formed a god "That every one may be ashamed, that he hath formed a god"] The Bodleian MS., one of the first extant for its antiquity and authority, instead of ym mi, at the beginning of the tenth verse, has yk ki, which greatly clears up the construction of a very obscure passage. Doederlein approves of this reading. The Septuagint likewise closely connect in construction the end of ver. 9 with the beginning of ver. 10; and wholly omit the interrogative ym mi, which embarrasses the sentence: aiscunqhsontai oi plassontev qeon, kai glufontev pantev anwfelhť "But they shall be confounded that make a god; and they who engrave unprofitable things; " agreeably to the reading of the MS. above mentioned.

Is. 44:1-8 Israel is here called Jeshurun, which means "the uprigh one." Such only are Israelites indeed, in whom is no guile. Those tha serve God he will own. He will help them over difficulties, and in their services. Water is the emblem of the Holy Spirit; as wate refreshes, cleanses, and makes the earth fruitful, so do his influence the soul. This gift of the Holy Ghost is the great blessing, the plentiful pouring out of which God kept for the latter days. Where God gives his Spirit, he will give all other blessings. Hereby shall be great increase of the church; thus it shall be spread to distan places. Was there any other Rock, or Protector, that could defend them None besides could foretell these things to come, of which God by his prophets gave notice. All was set in order in the Divine predictions as well as in the Divine purposes. Could any other have done so? Wh can compare with Israel's Redeemer and King?

Is. 44:9-20 Image-making is described, to expose the folly of idolaters. Though a man had used part of a log for fuel, he fell dow before an image made of the remainder, praying it to deliver him. Ma greatly dishonours God, when he represents him after the image of man Satan blinds the eyes of unbelievers, causing absurd reasonings i matters of religion. Whether men seek happiness in worldly things, or run into unbelief, superstition, or any false system, they feed of ashes. A heart deceived by pride, love of sin, and departure from God turns men aside from his holy truth and worship. While the affection are depraved, a man holds fast the lie as his best treasure. Are ou hearts set upon the wealth of the world and its pleasures? They wil certainly prove a lie. If we trust to outward professions and doings as if those would save us, we deceive ourselves. Self-suspicion is the first step towards self-deliverance. He that would deliver his soul must question his conscience, Is there not a lie in my right hand?

Is. 44:21-28 Return unto me. It is the great concern of those who have backslidden from God, like the Jews of old, to hasten their return to him. The work of redemption wrought for us by Christ, encourages to hope for all blessings from him. Our transgressions and our sins are a a thick cloud between heaven and earth: sins separate between us an God; they threaten a storm of wrath. When God pardons sin, he blot out, he dispels this cloud, this thick cloud, so that the way to heave is open again. The cloud is scattered by the Sun of righteousness; it is quite gone. The comforts that flow into the soul when sin is pardoned, are like clear shining after clouds and rain. Let not Israe be discouraged; nothing is too hard for God: having made all, he can make what use he pleases of any. Those that learn to know Christ, se all knowledge to be foolishness, in comparison with the knowledge of him. And his enemies will find their counsels turned into foolishness and themselves taken in their craftiness. The exact fulfilling the prophecies of Scripture confirms the truth of the whole, and proves it Divine origin. The particular favours God designed for his people i captivity, were foretold here, long before they went into captivity Very great difficulties would be in the way of their deliverance; but it is promised that by Divine power they should all be removed. God knew who should be the Deliverer of his people; and let his church know it, that when they heard such a name talked of, they might know their redemption drew nigh. It is the greatest honour of the greatest men, to be employed as instruments of the Divine favour to his people. I things wherein men serve themselves, and look no further, God make them do all his pleasure. And a nobler Shepherd than Cyrus does his Father's will, till his work is fully completed __________________________________________________________________

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