fortunes occupy the foreground, but the welfare of the wider world is never forgotten. Israel's salvation is but the first step to the salvation of the world. It was first "for Jacob my servant's sake" that Cyrus was called to the overthrow of Babylon (45:4), but ultimately that across the world from east to west men might acknowledge Jehovah (456), that to him every knee might bow and every tongue swear (45:23). Not even the songs open a wider or more brilliant prospect than that. But the final conversion of the heathen receives in the last song peculiarly pathetic and significant expression. It takes the form of a confession that the sins for which Jehovah's servant suffered so tragically were not his own, but theirs (Chap. 53).1 In this penitent appreciation of the Servant and his sufferings, the conversion of the heathen world is practically attested, and the prophet's dream is ideally fulfilled. The Servant is now vindicated, his mission is accomplished, the world is converted; and in this crowning song the prophet's most daring hopes find an embodiment as beautiful as it is immortal. Throughout the Servant songs, Israel is ideally conceived. They are not a description, but a splendidly original interpretation, of her sufferings and destiny. Doubtless the nation never did, as a nation, fulfil the wonderful programme sketched for her in these songs by one of her greatest sons; and it was a true instinct that led the New Testament Church to see in it an adumbration of the sufferings, the work, and the triumph of our Lord (Mat. 12:18-21; Acts 8: 32-35, etc.). IV. THE STYLE OF DEUTERO-ISAIAH The style of Chaps. 40-55 is very different from that of Isaiah himself. Isaiah is incisive; this writer tends to 1 In vss. I-II, the heathen (cf. 52: 15) appear to be the speakers. See the commentary. an agreeable diffuseness - agreeable, because he too, like Isaiah, is a great master of the music of human speech, and can express the few great thoughts which stir him with endless variety. Both display great powers of imagination; but in this, as in other respects, "Isaiah is very bold," the writer of these chapters is less daring, more soft and tender. Especially does his imagination kindle when he thinks of his beloved Zion and the glory that he anticipates for her in the near future. Nowhere has this received more beautiful expression than in the noble picture of mother Zion, welcoming back, with wonder in her eyes, the multitude of her scattered children. They are so many that the old city is too small for them, and she cannot bring herself to believe that these thronging hosts are hers (49: 18-21). The poet is calling upon the city to lift up her eyes and behold the returning children she had never thought to see again : Lift up thine eyes round about and behold How they gather together. And thou shalt be gaily adorned with them, As a bride with her girdle. And thou shalt have scarce room enough for them all When far off are the spoilers. Then this cry shall resound in thine ears from the sons Whom thou long wast bereft of: "This place is too strait and too narrow for me, Give me more room to dwell in." Then indeed shalt thou marvel and say in thine heart, "Who hath borne me these children? For all unfruitful and childless am I : Who hath brought up these children ? As for me, I was lonely and desolate; say, Who then are these children ?" ANALYSIS OF CHAPTERS 40-55 JEHOVAH THE OMNIPOTENT IS ABOUT TO USHER IN THE DAY OF ISRAEL'S DELIVERANCE (Chaps. 40-48) 1. Jehovah is Lord of nature and history (chaps. 40 and 41). (1) Redemption is nigh (40: 1-II). (2) The sovereignty and omnipotence of God as seen in nature (40:12-31). (3) The sovereignty of God as seen in history, and especially in the rise of Cyrus (chap. 41). 2. The servant (Israel), his task and destiny (42:1-44:23). (1) The servant's task (42: 1-9). (2) The new song (42:10-13). (3) Jehovah at last bestirs himself (42:14-17). (4) A call for responsiveness on Israel's part (42 : 18-25). (5) Jehovah will show his love for Israel by gathering her exiles home (43: 1-7). (6) Israel is Jehovah's witness to the world (43: 8-13). (7) The deliverance from Babylon more wonderful than the deliverance from Egypt (43: 14-21). (8) Israel's restoration is due not to her own merits, but to Jehovah's free grace (43: 22-44: 5). (9) Israel's God is sovereign and eternal (44: 6-8). (10) The folly of idolatry (44: 9-20). (11) Let the world rejoice over Israel's redemption (44: 21-23). 3. Cyrus and the overthrow of Babylon (44: 24-48: 22). (1) Jehovah calls Cyrus and bestows upon him a career of victory, for Israel and the world's sake (44: 24-45: 8). (2) Murmurs against Cyrus (45:9–13). (3) The heathen acknowledged the uniqueness of Israel and her God (45: 14-17). (4) Jehovah desires the salvation of the whole world (45: 18-25). (5) The downfall of Babylon's gods (chap. 46). (6) The downfall of Babylon (chap. 47). (7) The summons to depart from Babylon (chap. 48). THE RESTORATION OF ISRAEL AND THE FUTURE GLORY OF ZION (Chaps. 49-55) 1. The Servant discouraged, but at last triumphant (49: 1–13). (1) The Servant: his seeming failure and his great destiny (49: 1-6). (2) Israel's happy return and restoration (49:7-13). 2. The consolation of Zion (49: 14-50:3). (1) Wasted Zion will be rebuilt and filled again with people (49: 14-21). (2) Three words of consolation (49: 22-50:3). 3. The Servant tried but trusting (50:4-11). 4. Words of encouragement and promise (51: 1–52 : 12). (1) Deliverance is near and sure (51: 1–16). (2) Jerusalem's affliction: her speedy redemption and glory (51 17-52 12). 5. The humiliation and exaltation of the servant (52: 13-53:12). (1) The Servant: his sufferings and his great glory (52: 13-53: 1). 6. The future glory of Jerusalem (chap. 54). (1) The new Jerusalem will be large and populous, and blessed with the steadfast favor of God (54: 1-10). (2) The new Jerusalem will be fair and impregnable (54:11-17). 7. Invitation to embrace the impending salvation (chap. 55). (1) The blessings in store for Israel (55: 1-5). (2) The wonderful salvation is near: forth then from Babylon (55:6-13). |