Isa 9:4, 10:24, 14:29 | JFB | STEP | 4. The occasion of the "joy," the deliverance not only of Ahaz and Judah from the Assyrian tribute ( ), and of Israel's ten tribes from the oppressor ( ), but of the Jewish Christian Church from its last great enemy. hast —the past time for the future, in prophetic vision; it expresses the certainty of the event. yoke of his burden —the yoke with which he was burdened. staff of . . . shoulder —the staff which strikes his shoulder [MAURER ]; or the wood, like a yoke, on the neck of slaves, the badge of servitude [ROSENMULLER ]. day of Midian — ( ). As Gideon with a handful of men conquered the hosts of Midian, so Messiah the "child" ( ) shall prove to be the "Prince of peace," and the small Israel under Him shall overcome the mighty hosts of Antichrist (compare ), containing the same contrast, and alluding also to "the Assyrian," the then enemy of the Church, as here in Isaiah, the type of the last great enemy. For further analogies between Gideon's victory and the Gospel, compare . As the "dividing of the spoil" ( ) was followed by that which was "not joy," the making of the idolatrous ephod ( ), so the gospel victory was soon followed by apostasy at the first, and shall be so again after the millennial overthrow of Antichrist ( ), previous to Satan's last doom ( ).

Isaiah 9:4

4. The occasion of the "joy," the deliverance not only of Ahaz and Judah from the Assyrian tribute (2Ki 16:8), and of Israel's ten tribes from the oppressor (2Ki 15:19), but of the Jewish Christian Church from its last great enemy.

hast—the past time for the future, in prophetic vision; it expresses the certainty of the event.

yoke of his burden—the yoke with which he was burdened.

staff of . . . shoulder—the staff which strikes his shoulder [MAURER]; or the wood, like a yoke, on the neck of slaves, the badge of servitude [ROSENMULLER].

day of Midian— (Jud 7:8-22). As Gideon with a handful of men conquered the hosts of Midian, so Messiah the "child" (Isa 9:6) shall prove to be the "Prince of peace," and the small Israel under Him shall overcome the mighty hosts of Antichrist (compare Mic 5:2-5), containing the same contrast, and alluding also to "the Assyrian," the then enemy of the Church, as here in Isaiah, the type of the last great enemy. For further analogies between Gideon's victory and the Gospel, compare 2Co 4:7, with Jud 7:22. As the "dividing of the spoil" (Isa 9:3) was followed by that which was "not joy," the making of the idolatrous ephod (Jud 8:24-27), so the gospel victory was soon followed by apostasy at the first, and shall be so again after the millennial overthrow of Antichrist (Re 20:3, 7-9), previous to Satan's last doom (Re 20:10).

Isaiah 10:24

24. Therefore—Return to the main proposition, Assyria's ultimate punishment, though employed as God's "rod" to chastise Judea for a time.

O my people—God's tenderness towards His elect nation.

after the manner of Egypt—as Egypt and Pharaoh oppressed thee. Implying, too, as Israel was nevertheless delivered from them, so now it would be from the Assyrian Sennacherib. The antithesis in Isa 10:26 requires this interpretation [MAURER].

Isaiah 14:29

29. Palestina—literally, "the land of sojourners."

rod . . . broken—The yoke imposed by Uzziah (2Ch 26:6) was thrown off under Ahaz (2Ch 28:18).

serpent's root—the stock of Jesse (Isa 11:1). Uzziah was doubtless regarded by the Philistines as a biting "serpent." But though the effects of his bite have been got rid of, a more deadly viper, or "cockatrice" (literally, "viper's offspring," as Philistia would regard him), namely, Hezekiah awaits you (2Ki 18:8).