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Expanded Comments |
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| 1 Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God. |
Comfort ye my people – Natural Israel. E357; R1325:4, R5568:2, R2605:4
Because the "double" is completed, we may speak the words of comfort. SM398:1; R599:5, R1405:3, R4110:3, R5503:2, R5234:6, R2296:6, R2361:5, R2526:1
It is not our expectation that the Jews would return to Palestine as Christians. R4764:4
God's attitude toward the Jews is typified by Joseph's full forgiveness of his brethren, recognizing that their crucifixion of Messiah was merely a carrying out of the divine purpose. R5234:6
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| 2 Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem; and cry unto her, that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned, that she hath received of Jehovah's hand a double for all her sins. |
Speak ye – The Church. R1378:6
Earnest Christians armed with the power of divine truth. R1379:2
Zionism from a prophetic standpoint seems to stir the Jewish heart as the subject never did politically. R4764:5
Were it not for a share in the work of gathering out the Bride, we would be in Jerusalem to do a part in the great work of turning away blindness from Jacob. R1395:5
Preaching to the Jews the return of divine favor as a people before they believe in Christ; and that, with this favor, would come the opening of their blinded eyes to recognize in Christ Jesus the Sun of Righteousness. R1325:4
Comfortably – A new message for Israel of the return of divine favor. R1325:4
To Jerusalem – From 1878 AD onward. B227, B258, R2361:4, R5568:2, R4110:3
The natural seed. R1378:6
One of the signs of a new dispensation would be the sprouting, or indication of life, hope, promise. amongst the Jews. R5503:2
Thirty years ago I attempted to tell Israel the good tidings but God's set time for Israel to hear was still future. I am still waiting for God's own time and way for the fulfilment of Isa. 40:1,2 (1910). SM480:1
Not that Jerusalem is going to hear at first. Q379:3
That her warfare – Her appointed time of waiting (margin). C258, C288; R1043:4, R2605:4
The time of their national death and torment. R2605:4
They will leave their hadean state (national death) and torment and become the first of the nations to be blessed. HG387:4
Her time of sorrow. OV78:2
"That is determined shall be poured upon that desolate one (or cast off people)" till her cup be full of sorrow. (Dan. 9:27) B72
They were sentenced to a "double" or repetition of their already long period of waiting, during which God would show them no favor, manifest no interest in them. R1202:4
Is accomplished – The time is evidently not far distant when their national hope will be rehabilitated and they shall rejoice again as a people. PD53/65
After divine wrath has burned out their national transgression, even searching them out to the very lowest oblivion (sheol). (Deut. 32:22) E357
Every evidence of the return of divine favor to fleshly Israel is an evidence that divine favor to spiritual Israel is gradually drawing to a close. R2361:6
As in many other prophecies, the standpoint of the future is taken and the things are spoken of as accomplished facts. R1754:6
Her iniquity is pardoned – "His blood be upon us and upon our children." (Matt. 27:24) R2786:4
She hath received – Where their double of waiting for the Kingdom expired; the Kingdom did come in 1878 AD. R1202:4; SM400:1; CR104:3, 5
Therefore the "rich man" (Israel) will walk out of his fiery troubles over the bridge of God's promises yet unfulfilled to that nation. (Luke 16:19-31) R2605:1
As divine favor was gradually taken from Israel, so we expect the return of favor will be gradual. SM401:1, SM403:2
LORD'S hand double – Her double, kophel, as of a thing folded in the middle; "I will recompense their iniquity and their sin double unto them." (Jer. 16:18) B227, B218
The period of Israel's disfavor, from AD 33 to 1878, was to be of the same length, 1845 years, as the period of her favor from the death of Jacob to the death of Christ. B219; R1202:1
The second portion, of two equal parts. R1378:6, R5235:1; HG53:2; CR141:2; CR104:2; SM398:1, SM400:1
The period of their blindness is the second part of the "double." With the fulfilment of that "double" their blindness will begin to vanish and "all the blind eyes shall be opened." SM398:T, CR105:4
Since that time we have seen a marked beginning and the gradual progress of the turning away of blindness from fleshly Israel. R1405:3
Since 1878, the star of Judaism has been rising. R5568:2, R5920:6, R599:5
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| 3 The voice of one that crieth, Prepare ye in the wilderness the way of Jehovah; make level in the desert a highway for our God. |
The voice of him – Verses 3 to 7 are God's message to Christendom. R4721:2
In John 1:19-27 John the Baptist claimed to be the fulfilment. R1736:3
The message of John the Baptist was typical of the message of God through his consecrated people to nominal Churchianity and the world. HG457:3; E44
Foreseeing Israel's rejection of John's testimony; the Lord had in mind the Gospel Church as another antitypical Elias. R1687:6, R1379:2
The same voice that speaks to the Jews words of comfort warns Christians that we are on the eve of strenuous times. HG457:2
Prepare ye – If the kings of earth and the financial and ecclesiastical princes would promptly and thoroughly establish righteousness in the earth, Messiah's Kingdom would be introduced peaceably. HG457:5
The way of the LORD – Of Jehovah, making his footstool glorious. E43
The Kingdom of Messiah, offered typically to the Jews eighteen centuries ago, is now about to be inaugurated in power and great glory. HG457:3
Make straight – John did not fulfil all of the prophecy, clearing the way and preparing for Messiah's Kingdom. R4113:4
A highway – Highway of holiness. (Isa. 35:8,9) R1248:2, R1772:6
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| 4 Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low; and the uneven shall be made level, and the rough places a plain: |
Every valley – Of despair and discouragement. R1772:6
The meek and humble. R1379:2
Be exalted – The humble lifted out of degradation. R4113:5; HG457:6
Every mountain – Of difficulty. R1772:6
Kingdom. R5575:4
And hill – Smaller governments of earth. R5575:4
Be made low – The conditions of society will be leveled. R4113:5, R332:4; HG457:6
The great ones in politics, theology and finance feel confident that the valleys and hills of society will never come to a level. R1379:4
In consequence of this gradual leveling of society the final adjustment to the requirements of the Kingdom will be proportionately less than in an autocracy. HG458:2
The Income Tax is a part of this leveling. HG458:2
By the great time of trouble. It will doubtless be a short and sharp work. HG458:2
The city of Quito, Ecuador, the highest city in the world, has subsided 76 feet in the past 122 years; this prophecy may also have a literal fulfilment. R1215:3
And the crooked – The perverse. R332:3
The crooked ruts in which the present evil order of things is running. R1379:2
The rough places – Errors, inconsistencies, false doctrines and stumbling-stones. R1379:3
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| 5 and the glory of Jehovah shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together; for the mouth of Jehovah hath spoken it.
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And the glory – The blessing and salvation. T84
"And the glory of the Lord appeared unto all the people." (Lev. 9:23) T83
The majesty of his righteous character and government. R1379:3, R2463:1
Of the LORD – Jehovah. No conflict here for it can be said with propriety that Messiah will sit upon the Throne, or Kingdom of Jehovah. HG458:2
Shall be revealed – In the Millennial age. T83; R2371:2, R3345:6, R5032:2
Through The Christ. (Rom. 16:27) R385:1*, R1394:5
After the suffering of Christ (Head and Body) shall be complete. R2581:1
When the day of trouble ends, then he who spoke to the raging Sea of Galilee will likewise, with authority, command the raging sea of human passion, saying "Peace! Be Still!" A171
The full blessing of God will come to earth again. R4973:2
And all flesh – The whole world of mankind. T83; R2402:4, R3345:6
Not merely the Jews. A59
The dead as well as the living. R2402:4
Shall see it – Appreciate it. R1379:3
Recognize God's gracious love more and more each day. T83
Now we must "walk by faith, and not by sight"--but the world will walk by sight. OV129:5
The burning of "the fire of God's jealousy" and the breaking of "the rod of iron" will be the new missionary method by which the glorified Church will bring in "everlasting righteousness." (Zech. 3:8, 9; Rev. 2:27) R2462:6
Even though they call for the rocks and mountains to cover them that they may remain in the dark. (Hos. 10:8) R192:6*
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| 6 The voice of one saying, Cry. And one said, What shall I cry? All flesh is grass, and all the goodliness thereof is as the flower of the field: |
All flesh is grass – Sinful flesh, which cannot please God. R208:6
There was a time when Adam and Eve held daily communion with God before sin entered, when they that were in the flesh could please God. R208:6
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| 7 the grass withereth, the flower fadeth, because the breath of Jehovah bloweth upon it; surely the people is grass. |
The grass withereth – "The wages of sin is death." (Rom. 6:23) R208:6
Spirit of the LORD bloweth – It will require only a breath from the Lord to scatter all the might and power and glory of earthly institutions. R1379:4
The spirit of righteousness, sent forth, will cause the day of trouble in which all humanity will wither as grass. HG458:5
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| 8 The grass withereth, the flower fadeth; but the word of our God shall stand forever. |
The flower fadeth – All who oppose his plan will fade in the great Day of Wrath which will burn as an oven. R1379:4
Word of our God – Many professed teachers are heartily opposed to Bible study. R4857:6
Shall stand for ever – Shining more and more brightly down to the very end of this Gospel age. R4858:1
It is possible to endeavor to destroy God's Word, though all such efforts will fail. R2401:1
Attempts to destroy it may include: rejecting it, speaking of its truths irreverently, neglecting it, forbidding it, persecuting its advocates, misrepresenting it or skipping over and ignoring certain of its teachings. R2401:4
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| 9 O thou that tellest good tidings to Zion, get thee up on a high mountain; O thou that tellest good tidings to Jerusalem, lift up thy voice with strength; lift it up, be not afraid; say unto the cities of Judah, Behold, your God! |
O Zion – The one true Church, represented by its last living members, the only ones who know and can proclaim the tidings of Restitution. R1379:5
Get thee up – Into the glorified spiritual condition. R1379:5
O Jerusalem – The faithful ones of fleshly Israel will come into prominence by reason of the leaders God will raise up. R1379:5
Be not afraid – When men's hearts are failing them for fear, God's people may rejoice that their redemption is near. R1379:4
Cities of Judah – All who shall then be in covenant relationship with God. R1379:5
Behold your God – Is here. R1379:5
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| 10 Behold, the Lord Jehovah will come as a mighty one, and his arm will rule for him: behold, his reward is with him, and his recompense before him. |
The Lord GOD – Adonai Jehovah. E46
Will come – To administer appropriate future rewards and punishments. R723:4, R2613:5
With strong hand – Against the strong one, Satan. R1379:5
And his arm – The Lord Jesus. E47, R1379:5[R1379:13]
Reward is with him – Not having been previously given. R2613:5
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| 11 He will feed his flock like a shepherd, he will gather the lambs in his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and will gently lead those that have their young. |
He shall – To feed the flock is the Lord's province. F283
Feed his flock – The Little Flock, all that follow him. R1379:5
Using such human instrumentalities as are sufficiency humble. F283
Like a shepherd – The lambs and sheep make one flock, and there is but one shepherd who superintends and cares for all. R118:3*
The Lord's care for even the weakest of the flock in the day of his presence. R633:4
Gather the lambs – The weakest ones of his true sheep. R1379:6
Though scattered over the hills of sectarianism, he calls his own sheep together into one fold, one Church, as it was at first. R633:4
Gently lead those – Such teachers and evangelists as are of the Lord's true sheep. R1379:6
That are with young – "Woe unto them that are with child and to them that give suck in those days." (Matt. 24:19) R1379:5
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| 12 Who hath measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, and meted out heaven with the span, and comprehended the dust of the earth in a measure, and weighed the mountains in scales, and the hills in a balance? |
In a balance – Very moderate language in his description of the majestic power and greatness of the Creator. R5210:3; SM468:1
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| 13 Who hath directed the Spirit of Jehovah, or being his counsellor hath taught him? |
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| 14 With whom took he counsel, and who instructed him, and taught him in the path of justice, and taught him knowledge, and showed to him the way of understanding? |
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| 15 Behold, the nations are as a drop from a bucket, and are accounted as the small dust of the balance: behold, he taketh up the isles as a very little thing. |
Small dust – Man is so small in the sight of the great Creator that we wonder that God should have any interest at all in humanity. R4972:2
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| 16 And Lebanon is not sufficient to burn, nor the beasts thereof sufficient for a burnt-offering. |
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| 17 All the nations are as nothing before him; they are accounted by him as less than nothing, and vanity. |
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| 18 To whom then will ye liken God? or what likeness will ye compare unto him? |
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| 19 The image, a workman hath cast it, and the goldsmith overlayeth it with gold, and casteth for it silver chains. |
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| 20 He that is too impoverished for such an oblation chooseth a tree that will not rot; he seeketh unto him a skilful workman to set up a graven image, that shall not be moved. |
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| 21 Have ye not known? have ye not heard? hath it not been told you from the beginning? have ye not understood from the foundations of the earth? |
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| 22 It is he that sitteth above the circle of the earth, and the inhabitants thereof are as grasshoppers; that stretcheth out the heavens as a curtain, and spreadeth them out as a tent to dwell in; |
Sitteth – Highly figurative and poetic language, not proving the firmament to be a solid structure. R1812:2
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| 23 that bringeth princes to nothing; that maketh the judges of the earth as vanity. |
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| 24 Yes, they have not been planted; yes, they have not been sown; yes, their stock hath not taken root in the earth: moreover he bloweth upon them, and they wither, and the whirlwind taketh them away as stubble. |
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| 25 To whom then will ye liken me, that I should be equal to him? saith the Holy One. |
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| 26 Lift up your eyes on high, and see who hath created these, that bringeth out their host by number; he calleth them all by name; by the greatness of his might, and for that he is strong in power, not one is lacking. |
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| 27 Why sayest thou, O Jacob, and speakest, O Israel, My way is hid from Jehovah, and the justice due to me is passed away from my God? |
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| 28 Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard? The everlasting God, Jehovah, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary; and there is no searching of his understanding. |
Neither is weary – He is ever active and his strength is equal to his activity. R1283:6*
God's rest is in the strength of his nature, the security of his position, the satisfaction of his work, and the certainty of his success. R1283:6*
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| 29 He giveth power to the faint; and to him that hath no might he increaseth strength. |
He giveth power – Let your faith grow strong by meditation upon the promises. R5381:5*
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| 30 Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: |
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| 31 but they that wait for Jehovah shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; they shall walk, and not faint. |
They that wait – Time is necessary for the working out of his kind providences in our individual affairs; for God works on philosophical principles for lasting and blessed results. R1840:5
Renew their strength – By again going over the proofs of our faith the Lord will strengthen our heart. R5712:6
By the voice of God's truth speaking to his people today. R4741:5
"As the days of a tree are the days of my people." (Isa. 65:22) R1649:5
As eagles – Living high above the world, farseeing; having eyes adapted to looking at the light; representing intelligently earnest Christians. R229:4
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