42  The person and office of Christ appointed by the Father, Isa 42:1-9.
A new song to God for his gospel, among the Gentiles, Isa 42:10-16.
The idolatry of the Heathen, and obstinacy of the Jews, Isa 42:17-25.

42:5 He - This description of God's infinite power, is seasonably added, to give them assurance of the certain accomplishment of his promises.

42:6 Called thee - To declare my righteousness, or faithfulness.With - hold - Will give thee counsel and strength for the work. Give thee - To be the mediator in whom my covenant of grace is confirmed with mankind. The people - Of all people, not only of Jews but Gentiles. A light - To enlighten them with true and saving knowledge.

42:8 The Lord - Heb. Jehovah: who have all being in and of myself, and give being to all my creatures. The everlasting, and unchangeable, and omnipotent God, who therefore both can, and will fulfil all my promises.

42:9 I tell you - That when they come to pass, you may know that I am God, and that this is my work.

42:10 Sing - Upon this new and great occasion, the salvation of the world by Christ. From the end - All nations from one end of the earth to another. Ye - You that go by sea carry these glad tidings from Judea, where Christ was born, and lived, and died, and published the gospel, unto the remotest parts of the earth.

42:11 The wilderness - Those parts of the world which are now desolate and forsaken of God, and barren of all good fruits. Kedar - The Arabians: who were an Heathen and barbarous people, and are put for all nations. Mountains - Who are commonly more savage and ignorant than others.

42:12 The islands - In the remotest parts of the world, as well as in Arabia, which was near to them.

42:13 Go forth - To battle. Stir up - He shall stir up his strength, and anger against the obstinate enemies of his Son and gospel. Roar - As a lion doth upon his prey, and as soldiers do when they begin the battle.

42:14 Long - I have for many ages suffered the devil and his servants, to prevail in the world, but now I will bring forth and accomplish that glorious work which I have long conceived in my mind; yea, I will suddenly destroy the incorrigible enemies of my truth.

42:15 Hills - My most lofty and flourishing enemies.Dry up - I will remove all impediments out of the way.

42:16 The blind - The Gentiles. By a way - By the way of truth, which hitherto has been hidden from them, yea, I will take away all hindrances; I will direct then in the right way; I will enlighten their dark minds, and rectify their perverse wills and affections, until I have brought theirs to the end of their journey.

18 We have an account in this chapter of another interview between God and Abraham, probably within a few days after the former, as the reward of his chearful obedience to the law of circumcision.Here is,

1. The visit which God made him, Gen 18:1-8.
   
2. The matters discoursed of between them,
   1. The purposes of God's love concerning Sarah, Gen 18:9-15.
      
   2. The purposes of God's wrath concerning Sodom.
      1. The discovery God made to Abraham of his design to destroy Sodom, Gen 18:16-22.
         
      2. The intercession Abraham made for Sodom, Gen 18:23-33.
         

18:21 I will go down now and see - Not as if there were any thing concerning which God is in doubt; but he is pleased thus to express himself after the manner of men.

18:23 Abraham drew near - This expression intimates, A holy concern.A holy confidence; he drew near with an assurance of faith, drew near as a prince, Job 31:37.

18:27 Behold now, I have taken upon me to speak unto the Lord, who am but dust and ashes - He speaks as one amazed at his own boldness, and the liberty God graciously allowed him, considering God's greatness, he is the Lord; and his own meanness, but dust and ashes. Whenever we draw near to God, it becomes us reverently to acknowledge the vast distance that there is between us and Him. He is the Lord of glory, we are worms of the earth.

18:30 Oh let not the Lord be angry - The importunity which believers use in their addresses to God is such, that if they were dealing with a man like themselves, they could not but fear that he would be angry with them. But he with whom we have to do is God and not man, and he is pleased when he is wrestled with. But why then did Abraham leave off asking when he had prevailed so far as to get the place spared if there were but ten righteous in it? Either,

1. Because he owned that it deserved to perish if there were not so many: asthe dresser of the vineyard, who consented that the barren tree should be cut down if one year's trial more did not make it fruitful, Luk 13:9. Or,
2. Because God restrained his spirit from asking any farther. When God hathdetermined the ruin of a place, he forbids it to be prayed for, Jer 7:16.

18:33 Abraham returned into his place - To wait what the event would be; and it proved that his prayer was heard, and yet Sodom not spared, because there were not ten righteous in it.

16 

16:17 The high - way - Their common road, in which they walk, tho' through frailty or temptation they slip into the bypath of sin.From evil - From the evil of sin, and consequently from the evil of punishment. Keepeth - That takes heed to walk in that high - way.

16:20 Good - He who orders his affairs with discretion.

16:21 The wise - He who is truly wise, shall be so accounted by others.Sweetness - Eloquence added to wisdom. Increaseth - Both in himself, for while a man teaches others, he improves himself; and others, who by this means are induced to hear and receive his instructions.

16:22 The instruction - Their most grave and serious counsels are foolish.

16:23 Teacheth - Directs him what to speak, and keeps him from speaking foolishly. Addeth - Enables him to speak learnedly and wisely.

16:27 Diggeth up - Prosecutes his evil designs with great industry.His lips - His tongue is set on fire of hell.

16:30 Shutteth - That his thoughts may be more intent.Moving - Which is the gesture of one whose thoughts are deeply engaged.

16:32 Is better - Of a more gallant and generous spirit, and more valiant and victorious.

16:33 The lot - As the ancient practice was in deciding doubtful things.The event of which though casual to men, is directed by God's providence.

17 

17:4 False lips - To false accusations and calumnies, which give him occasion and encouragement to do mischief.

17:7 Excellent speech - Discourse of high and excellent things.

17:8 A precious stone - Pleasant and acceptable; and withal dazzles his eyes. Whithersoever - To whomsoever it is presented. But this, as also many of her proverbs, are to be understood of most men, not of all.

17:9 Covereth - That conceals as far as he may, other mens faults.

17:11 Rebellion - Against God. Messenger - Or, a cruel angel, the angel of death, the devil, or some bloody men employed by God to avenge his quarrel.

17:12 Folly - In the heat of his lust or passion.

17:14 Letteth out - By cutting the bank of a river. Leave off - Avoid the occasions, and prevent the beginning of contention.

17:16 A price - Opportunities and abilities of getting it.No heart - Neither discretion to discern the worth of wisdom, nor any sincere desire to get it.

17:17 Was born - Was sent into the world for this, that he might comfort and relieve his brother in adversity.