Matthew Henry on Isaiah 44:9-20
Often before, God, by the prophet, had mentioned the folly and strange sottishness of idolaters; but here he enlarges upon that head, and very fully and particularly exposes them to contempt and ridicule. This discourse is intended, 1. To arm the people of Israel against the strong temptation they would be in to worship idols when they were captives in Babylon, in compliance with the custom of the country (they being far from the city of their own solemnities) and to humour those who were now their lords and masters. 2. To cure them of their inclination to idolatry, which was the sin that did most easily beset them and to reform them from which they were sent into Babylon. As the rod of God…
Read the whole note in the consoleJamieson-Fausset-Brown on Isaiah 44:16
part . . . part--not distinct parts, but the same part of the wood (compare Isa 44:17).
eateth--that is, cooks so as to eat (Isa 44:19).
I have seen--I feel its power.
John Gill on Isaiah 44:16
He burneth part thereof in the fire,.... To warm himself with, as before:
with part thereof he eateth flesh; that is, with part of it he dresses flesh, and makes it fit to eat; unless the meaning is, with part of it he makes tables and trenchers to eat meat off of; but the former sense seems most likely, and agrees with what follows:
he roasteth roast, and is satisfied; he roasts his meat with it, and eats it when roasted, and is highly pleased and delighted with it, and he eats of it to his satisfaction:
yea, he warmeth him, and saith, Aha; an expression of joy and delight, being before a good fire in winter time:
I am warm, I have seen the fire; have felt it, and enjoyed the comfort of…
Read the whole note in the consoleJohn Calvin on Isaiah 44:14-17
He shall cut down for himself: The Prophet expresses not only the zeal and furious eagerness of idolaters, but also their rebellion and obstinacy; for when he says that they cut down cedars and plant pine-trees, he shews that they persevere very long in their madness, and are not prompted by any sudden impulse to manufacture gods. "Not only," says he, "do they choose trees that are already grown, but they even plant and water and cultivate them, and wait till they have come to their full size, so as to be fit material for making an idol."
When we read these things, and are instructed concerning this shocking madness, let us know that God lays his hand upon us, so to speak, in order to draw…
