No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue [that] shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This [is] the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness [is] of me, saith the LORD.
17. Israel therefore has no cause to fear any material weapon, and even the Satanic weapon of false accusations, which assail her righteous standing before God, she shall be able to foil.
every tongue thou shalt condemn ] i.e. shew to be in the wrong (cf. ch. Isa 50:8 f.).
This is the heritage &c. ] A concluding summary. “This,” viz., all the blessings just enumerated, peace, righteousness, security, triumph over opposition.
of the servants of the Lord ] The title “servants of Jehovah” (in the plural) has not hitherto been used in the prophecy (with the doubtful exception of ch. Isa 44:26, where it denotes the prophets). It is possible that its occurrence here forms a link of connexion between this chapter and the last. The ideal represented by the Servant of Jehovah is now reproduced in each individual member of the new Israel; they are all of the spiritual seed which was promised to him, and the salvation they enjoy is the fruit of the travail of his soul (Isa 53:10-11). It is noteworthy, at all events, that while from this point the Israelites are spoken of as servants of Jehovah, the ideal Servant is never again mentioned.
and their righteousness is of me ] Rather, and (this is) their righteousness from me. The righteousness, or justification, bestowed on them by Jehovah (cf. Psa 24:5) is manifested in such blessedness as has just been spoken of.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
No weapon that is formed – No instrument of war, no sword, or spear; no instrument of persecution or torture that is made by the smith, Isa 54:16.
Shall prosper – On the meaning of this word, see the notes at Isa 52:13. The sense here is, that it shall not have final and ultimate prosperity. It might be permitted for a time to appear to prosper – as persecutors and oppressors have done; but there would not be final and complete success.
And every tongue – No one shall be able to injure you by words and accusations. If a controversy shall arise; if others reproach you and accuse you of imposture and deceit, you will be able ultimately to convince them of error, and, by manifestation of the truth, to condemn them. The language here is derived probably from courts of justice (see the notes at Isa 41:1); and the idea is, that truth and victory, in every strife of words, would be on the side of the church. To those who have watched the progress of discussions thus far on the subject of the true religion, it is needless to say that this has been triumphantly fulfilled. Argument, sophism, ridicule, have all been tried to overthrow the truth of the Christian religion. Appeals have been made to astronomy, geology, antiquities, history, and indeed to almost every department of science, and with the same want of success. Poetry has lent the charm of its numbers; the grave historian has interwoven with the thread of his narrative covert attacks and sly insinuations against the Bible; the earth has been explored to prove that He who made the world and revealed its age to Moses was mistaken in its age; and the records of Oriental nations, tracing their history up cycles of ages beyond the Scripture account of the creation of the world, have been appealed to, but thus far in all these contests ultimate victory has declared in favor of the Bible. And no matter from what quarter the attack has come, and no matter how much learning and talent have been evinced by the adversaries of the Bible, God has raised up some Watson, or Lardner, or Chalmers, or Buckland, or Cuvier, or Wiseman, to meet these charges, and to turn the scales in favor of the cause of truth. They who are desirous of examining the effects of the controversy of Christianity with science, and the results, can find them detailed with great learning and talent in Dr. Wisemans Lectures on the connection between Science and Revealed Religion, Andover, 1837.
This is the heritage – The inheritance which awaits those who serve God is truth and victory. It is not gold and the triumph of battle. It is not the laurel won in fields of blood. But it is, the protection of God in all times of trouble; his friendship in all periods of adversity; complete victory in all contests with error and false systems of religion; and preservation when foes rise up in any form and endeavor to destroy the church, and to blot out its existence and its name.
And their righteousness is of me – Or rather, this is the righteousness, or the justification which they obtain of me; this is that which I impart to them as their justification. The idea is not that their righteousness is of him, but that this justification or vindication from him is a part of their inheritance and their portion.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Isa 54:17
No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper
Worthless weapons
I.
GLANCE AT THE WEAPONS WHICH HAVE BEEN USED AGAINST THE CHURCH COLLECTIVELY.
1. The first weapon that we notice is an old one–Infidelity. Nothing can be more palpable than this–humanity refuses to be infidel.
2. Behold another of these hostile implements is the weapon of persecution. A weak weapon, nevertheless.
II. AS REGARDS THE CHURCH INDIVIDUALLY NO WEAPON THAT IS FORMED AGAINST IT SHALL PROSPER.
1. The weapon of slander shall not prosper.
2. The weapon of doubt.
3. The weapon of death. (T. R. Stevenson.)
The godly mans heritage
I. THE ARMOURY OF SATAN. The enemy of souls is likened by our Lord to a strong man armed; He commands principalities and powers; skilled in hostilities, He has different modes of attack; He employs a great variety of weapons.
1. Persecution. And yet, when we estimate the results of persecution, we have to confess it has not prospered. It has been mightily restrained, and its remains have been turned to the praise of God. It has purified the Church, and given new impetus to the truth. Sometimes it has united the despised forces of Zion, so that their strength has been greatly increased.
2. Temptation. With this weapon the archer sorely wounded our first parents, and he has ever since too successfully hurled it against their progeny. But it does not prosper; it strips us of self-confidence, eradicates pride, drives us for safety to the Hiding Place, and presses upon us the constant necessity for that shield of faith which quenches all the fiery darts of the wicked. You cannot afford to despise temptations; but you need not despair under them while you call in the aid engaged to you.
3. False teaching. Clothed as an angel of light, the tempter first instilled error into the mind of Eve, before he could produce disobedience. It is no light affliction to have the minds view of Divine truth perverted. Various, however, as are the shades of false teaching, they do not prosper–they flourish for a time like grass upon the housetops, but they fill no mans bosom with harvest sheaves. The Word of God outlives them all. Each of those weapons was directed with fullest force against the Son of God.
II. THE WORLDLY MANS MALICE. Every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. The slightest whisper of suspicion is greedily sought after, if it cast but a shadow on the character of any saint, and it, is repeated till it grows to calumnious dimensions, and eateth as doth a canker. The worst manifestation of this malignant plague is that which makes its appearance within the Church: when those who should be the guardians become the assailants of a brothers character, and prejudice and suspicion displace confidence and charity. In the ease of the true Christian, integrity of life will disappoint all the aspersions of the wicked.
III. THE GODLY MANS VINDICATION. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness is of Me, saith the Lord. What an inheritance it is! It comprises all the blessings contained in Gods Word; and the fulfilment of all His gracious, promises. (W. G. Lewis.)
The Christians heritage
I. THE CHRISTIANS EXPERIENCE.
1. Weapons are formed against him. No Christian need expect aught else. As Israels experience in the wilderness, so the Christians in the world.
2. Tongues rise against him. From the days of Cain it has been so, and will be so to the end. So they treated the Lord, and so they will treat His disciples.
II. THY CHRISTIANS SECURITY.
1. No weapon shall prosper. The Christians enemies may be mighty, malignant, crafty, constant; but more mighty, more wise, more watchful, more indefatigable and loving is his protector.
2. Every tongue he shall condemn.
(1) He shall do it himself by well-doing (1Pe 2:15).
(2) God shall do it for him.
(3) It shall be done sufficiently on earth (Psa 37:6).
(4) Perfectly in eternity (Job 19:25).
See also Zec 3:1-10. Let Christians see to it that they so live that men speaking evil of them shall do it falsely, and God shall fully vindicate them. Who has this security? and in answer see–
III. THE CHRISTIANS CHARACTER. The servants of the Lord. This security is described as–
IV. THY CHRISTIANS HERITAGE; and this description may teach us–
1. That while the Christian is a servant, he is also a son and heir.
2. That his security is a thing not of merit, but of inheritance. It is a legacy secured to him by the death of Christ. It is the Fathers good pleasure to give them the kingdom.
3. We may be sure that a heritage from God is a certain possession. He is without variableness or shadow of turning.
V. THE CHRISTIANS TITLE. Perhaps this last clause had been better translated uniformly with previous one: And this is their righteousness (justification) from Me. But taking it as we have It, we may interpret it as teaching us
1. That the Christians justification is of God. It is the righteousness which is of God by faith.
2. That the Christians sanctification is of God. It is He who worketh in him to will and to do of Gods good pleasure.
3. That boasting is excluded. What hast thou that thou hast not received?
4. That security is perfect; for if God justify, who can condemn Rom 8:34)? and if God sanctify, He will perfect that which concerneth us. This clause thus explains as well as ratifies the promise, and, farther, it tells us how we may secure this promise for ourselves. Righteousness we have not by nature, righteousness we cannot attain of ourselves–but righteousness we may receive from God. (D. Jamison, B. A.)
Their righteousness is of Me, saith the Lord
Justification through imputed righteousness
In these words, which are spoken of all true believers, more particularly, we may observe–
I. THE FOUNDATION OF THEIR ACCEPTANCE WITH GOD, AND OF ALL THE GLORIOUS PRIVILEGES THAT THEY ENJOY OR ARE ENTITLED TO. It is a righteousness; such a righteousness as answers all the demands of the Divine law, a righteousness with which God is well pleased.
II. HOW BELIEVERS BECOME POSSESSED OF THIS RIGHTEOUSNESS, They have it not of themselves. It is not a righteousness wrought out by them or inherent in them, but a righteousness which they have of God. God, in the person of the Father, devised and provided it; God, in the person of the Son, wrought it out for them. It is also through the gracious operation of the Holy Spirit, enabling them to believe the report of the Gospel, and receive Christ exhibited and freely offered to them in it, that they come to be actually possessed of this righteousness.
III. THE INTEREST THAT BELIEVERS HAVE IN THAT RIGHTEOUSNESS WHICH IS THE GROUND OF THEIR JUSTIFICATION. It is called their righteousness. Though it is not theirs originally or subjectively, it is theirs really. It is theirs by the free gift of God.
IV. THE CERTAINTY OF THE GREAT AND IMPORTANT TRUTH ASSERTED IN THE TEXT, namely, that the righteousness of believers, or that righteousness by which they are justified, and on which their title to everlasting life and all the blessings of salvation is wholly founded, is a righteousness which they have not of themselves, but of God, or by His free gift and gracious imputation. This is what Jehovah Himself declares and attests in the plainest manner: Their righteousness is of Me, saith the Lord. (D. Wilson.)
The excellent properties and qualities of that righteousness by which believers are justified
It is–
1. A perfect righteousness.
2. A Divine righteousness.
3. A justice-satisfying righteousness.
4. A law-magnifying righteousness.
5. A God-glorifying righteousness.
6. A righteousness that is freely given to the unworthy and the guilty.
7. An everlasting righteousness. (D. Wilson.)
Fuente: Biblical Illustrator Edited by Joseph S. Exell
No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and as they cannot do any thing against thee without my leave, so I assure thee I will not suffer them to do it; and if any smith shall make any weapons to be employed against thee, he shall not succeed in it.
And every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn; and I will deliver thee not only from the fury of the war, but also from the strife of tongues, from all the threatenings, and boasts, and reproaches of thine enemies, and from all the claims and pretences which they have of any right and power over thee. So thine enemies shall neither prevail against thee by violence, nor by pretences of justice.
This is the heritage; this blessed condition described in this chapter is the portion allotted to them by me.
Their righteousness; either,
1. The reward or fruit of their righteousness, as righteousness is used, Psa 112:3,9. Or,
2. Their right or the righteous administration of all their concerns, whereby they are preserved from all manner of oppressions, as righteousness was used, Isa 54:14. Is of me; I give it, and I will continue it to them; and who then can take it away from them?
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
17. tongue . . . condemnimagefrom a court of justice. Those who desire to “condemn” theethou shalt “condemn” (Exo 11:7;Jos 10:21; Psa 64:8;Rom 8:1; Rom 8:33).
righteousness . . . of me(Isa 45:24; Isa 46:13).Rather, “(this is) their justification from Me.” Theirenemies would “condemn” them, but I justify and vindicatethem, and so they condemn their enemies.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper,…. All weapons of war, as the Targum, which are made with a design to hurt and destroy the people of God, shall be rendered useless; not one of them shall prosper to the advantage of their enemies, or so as to answer their design; nor to the hurt and prejudice, ruin and destruction, of the saints:
and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment; that shall raise any calumny upon thee, or bring any charge against thee, or enter into a lawsuit with thee, litigate a point with thee in any court of judicature, or claim, in right and law, a power, authority, and dominion over thee, as the pope of Rome does over the consciences of men:
thou shalt condemn; disprove and roll off the calumny, refute the charge and accusation, put to silence the clamours and pretences of wicked men, carry the cause against them, and shake off the yoke of bondage they would bring them under; and, instead of being condemned by them, condemn them. By “weapon” may be meant all the attempts made by force to ruin the interest and church of Christ in the world, such as the bloody persecutions of the Roman emperors, who, though they made sad havoc of the professors of Christianity, and designed hereby to have rooted it out of the world, and thought they should have accomplished it, yet could not do it; so far from it, that the Christians yet more and more increased, insomuch that it became a common saying, that the blood of the martyrs was the seed of the church; also the wars of the Papists with the Albigenses and Waldenses, and all the cruel methods they have taken by fire and faggot, and the bloody inquisition, to hinder the growth of what they call heresy; yet all have been in vain, a reformation has taken place, and many nations have embraced the truth, and shook off the yoke of Popery; together with all their efforts since to crush the Protestant interest; and though the kings of the earth will be stirred up, and gather together to the battle of the Lord God Almighty, they will not succeed, but be overcome and slain, and the beast and false prophet at the head of them will be taken and cast alive into the lake of fire: and by the “tongue” may be designed the edicts of the Pagan emperors, forbidding the exercise of the Christian religion, and threatening the preachers and professors of it with imprisonment, confiscation of goods, and death itself; and the anathemas, bulls, and interdicts of the popes of Rome, as well as the reproaches, scandals, and calumnies uttered by the emissaries of that church against all that depart from it; together with the errors and heresies of false teachers of all sorts in all ages of the world, which, though levelled against the faith and doctrine of the church of Christ, have not been able to subvert it, nor ever will:
this is the heritage of the servants of the Lord; this, with all that is said in this chapter, is the part, portion, and privilege, that such shall enjoy who serve the Lord Christ, and not antichrist; they shall be treated rather as sons than as servants, and have an inheritance assigned them; not only protection from all enemies, and absolution from all charges, but they shall receive the reward of the inheritance in heaven, that which is incorruptible and undefiled, and reserved there, since they serve the Lord Christ:
and their righteousness is of me, saith the Lord; the vindication of their righteousness, of their cause, and of their character; or the reward of their righteous works in a way of grace; even all that righteousness and true holiness that is in them, and that righteousness which is imputed to them, and by which they are justified, are from the Lord; by which they are secured from all the charges of law and justice, and, from all the accusations of men and devils, and which will answer for them in a time to come, and acquit them at the bar of God before men and angels; see Ro 8:33.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
17. Every weapon. He again infers what has been already said, that wicked men, even though they exert themselves to the utmost, will gain nothing; for their attacks are guided and restrained by the secret, purpose of God. He makes use of the word “every,” meaning by it that wicked men will have the means of attempting many and diversified methods for destroying the Church, but that their efforts shall be vain and fruitless, (75) for the Lord will restrain them. Heaven permits them, indeed, to a great extent, in order to try the patience of believers; but, when God thinks proper, he strips them of their strength and armor.
And every tongue. After having spoken of the “weapons” with which wicked men attack the Church, he expressly mentions the “tongue;“ because no other “weapon” is so deadly and destructive. Not only do they revile, and slander, and defame the servants of God, but, as far as lies in their power, they extinguish the truth of God, and alienate the hearts of men from it; which ought to distress us more than if life were taken from us a hundred times. Besides, good and upright men find slander to be more distressing, and to inflict more severe pain than any bodily stroke; and, therefore, there was good reason for mentioning this deadly “weapon.”
That shall rise up against thee in judgment. When he says that tongues “rise up in judgment,” he means that wicked men are so daring and insolent, that they openly attack and annoy the children of God. He adds that this is done “in judgment;“ because they hold out plausible pretexts, which give them the appearance of having a just cause. In like manner, the Papists, when they call us heretics, schismatics, and dogs, plead against us, as it were, “in judgment,” and wish to be regarded as the defenders of catholic truth, though they maintain falsehood and idolatry. And yet so plausible are the pretexts by which their slanders are covered, that they produce very strong hatred against us among those who are ignorant of our cause. But although they assail us by arms, and by the “tongue,” and by “weapons” of every kind, yet, relying on this prediction, let us hope that we shall be victorious; for victory is here promised to us, and, since we are certain of it, we ought to fight valiantly and with unshaken courage.
This is the inheritance. He shows that the Lord has granted this to believers, as it were, by a right of “inheritance,” so that they shall never be deprived of it; for, as no title is more certain than that of an heir, so he shows that there is nothing of which the Lord’s servants ought to be more certain than of his constant guardianship and preservation, by which he defends them against all dangers.
And their righteousness from me. “Righteousness” here denotes what is conveyed by us in the ordinary expression, ( Leur droit ,) “Their right.” In a word, he means that the Lord will defend his people, so as to protect their innocence. Whenever, therefore, we are attacked and injured by men, let us learn to betake ourselves forthwith to the Lord; for, when we seek other assistance, the consequence is, that we are deprived of his guardianship and protection.
(75) “ Mais tout s’evanouira comme fumee.” “But all shall vanish away like smoke.”
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
THE CHRISTIANS HERITAGE
Isa. 54:17. No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper, &c.
I. THE CHRISTIANS EXPERIENCE.
1. Weapons are formed against him. No Christian need expect aught else. As Israels experience in the wilderness, so the Christians in the world. The devil will try to hinder his progress, &c The world, too, in various waysby its cares, snares, &c. The law in his members also will war against the law of his mind. He must fight his way, fight the good fight of faith, fight under the banner Jehovah-Nissi, fight, putting on the whole armour of God.
2. Tongues rise against him. From the days of Cain it has been so, and will be so to the end. Christians need not think it strange if they are mocked, maligned, misrepresented, all manner of evil said against them. So they treated the Lord, and so they will treat His disciples (Joh. 15:9). But while this shall be, more or less, the experience of every Christian, learn, over against it
II. THE CHRISTIANS SECURITY.
1. No weapon shall prosper. His enemies may be mighty, &c; but more mighty, wise, watchful, indefatigable and loving is his protector. He is perfectly safe. This does not mean, however, that he is not to use expedientsto watch and pray, to resist and strive.
2. Every tongue he shall condemn. (I.) He shall do it himself by welldoing (1Pe. 2:15).
(2.) God shall do it for him.
(3.) It shall be done sufficiently on earth (Psa. 37:6).
(4.) Perfectly in eternity (Job. 19:25).
3. Let Christians see to it that they so live that men speaking evil of them shall do it falsely, and God shall fully vindicate them.
But now the question comes, Who has this security? and in answer see
III. THE CHRISTIANS CHARACTER. The servants of the Lord. Only real Christians, to whom this security is given, i.e., those whose faith is a real root within and bears corresponding fruit without. Many arrogate such promises as this who have no right to them. They only who keep the precepts reap the promises. We must be servants if we would be safe. It is he who serves that the Lord preserves; none other (Mat. 7:21).
This secunty is further described as
IV. THE CHRISTIANS HERITAGE. This description may teach us
1. That while he is a servant, he is also a sonson and heir. Each believer may say with John (1Jn. 3:1-2).
2. That his security is a thing not of merit, but of inheritance. It is a legacy secured to him by the death of Christ (Luk. 12:32).
3. We may be sure that a heritage from God is a certain possession (Jas. 1:17).
V. THE CHRISTIANS TITLE.
1. The Christians justification is of God (Php. 3:9).
2. His sanctification is of God (Php. 2:13).
3. Boasting is excluded. What hast thou that thou hast not received?
4. His security is perfect. If God justify, who can condemn? (Rom. 8:34.) And if God sanctify, He will perfect that which concerneth us. This clause thus explains as well as ratifies the promise, and, further, it tells us how we may secure this promise for ourselves. Righteousness we have not by nature; we cannot attain it of ourselves; but we may receive it from God. Let us seek it by faith in Christ, and He will be the Lord our righteousness, and then this glorious heritage is ours. What a different one from that of the wicked (Job. 20:1-29).David Jamison, B.A.: The Homiletic Quarterly, vol. iv. p. 538.
WORTHLESS WEAPONS
Isa. 54:17. No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper
Old castles contain many relics of the past, and on the walls hang many weapons of ancient date. To such a place the Church may be likened. A divine and secure citadel, it contains not a few victorious trophiessigns of its enemies defeat.
I. Some of the weapons that have been used against the Church collectively.
1. The first that we notice is very old. It was employed against Noah, Job, David, all who have been called to do great things for God. What is its name? Infidelity. But it has not prospered. Humanity refuses to be infidel. Sinners abound, not sceptics. Atheism, like physical deformity, is the exception, not the rule. The soul must have something to live upon. Again and again the foes of Christianity have become its converts in their very attempts to destroy it: Athenagoras, Gilbert West, Lord Lyttelton.
2. Behold another of these hostile implements. Its edge is keen; it gleams with cruel hate; there are crimson stains on it. Its name? Persecution. It has inflicted frightful, gaping wounds; it has taken many an innocent life; history is full of records of its merciless deeds. But it is a weak weapon, nevertheless. It has purified the Church oftentimes, by driving away the hypocrites and leaving the true believers; it has increased the Church by scattering abroad its preachers, who in new fields have made fresh converts; but it has not destroyed the Church. It has not prospered.
II. But the promise is true of the individual believer as well as of the Church. How hopeful, how happy, ought every believer to be! The soul of the good man is invulnerable.
1. The weapon of SLANDER shall not prosper. At one time or another all Gods servants are attacked by it. But in the end none of them is any the worse for it. God will take care of the reputations of His people. Are you slandered? Do as David did (Psa. 119:6). So you may smile at your calumniators. The hour of your vindication is at hand (Psa. 37:5-6).
2. The weapon of DOUBT shall not prosper. Like other men, the believer is assailed by doubts; but they do but cause him, as they did John the Baptist (Mat. 11:2-3), to apply to Christ for their solution; and by Him he is settled and grounded in the truth, to which he clings the more firmly because he remembers how nearly he lost it.
3. The weapon of DEATH shall not prosper. He who trusts in Gods mercy through the substitution of Jesus Christ need not be alarmed at this weapon. You probably recollect handsome, brave Sir Walter Raleighs remark when he put his finger on the edge of the horrible axe which was speedily to end his life: It is a sharp medicine, but it is a cure for all ills.T. R. Stevenson: Christian World Pulpit, vol. iii. pp. 244.
The meaning of this is that the Church of God cannot be destroyed.
I. GODS CHURCH HAS ALWAYS ENCOUNTERED OPPOSITION.
It has been persecuted. Its Divine origin has been and is disputed. There have always been enemies that have sought its destruction, &c.
That the Head of the Church should expose His truth to attack at all, is strange at first sight. But,
1. Opposition tests the sincerity of discipleship.
2. Keeps alive the evidence for the truth, which otherwise might drop out of recollection.
II. GODS CHURCH HAS SURVIVED OPPOSITION.
Thus this word has been hitherto fulfilled. [1686]
[1686] The language here is derived probably from courts of justice, and the idea is, that truth and victory, in every strife of words, would be on the side of the Church. To those who have watched the progress of discussions thus far on the subject of the true religion, it is needless to say that this has been triumphantly fulfilled. Argument, sophism, ridicule, have all been tried to overthrow the truth of the Christian religion. Appeals have been made to astronomy, geology, antiquities, history, and indeed to almost every department of science, and with the same want of success. Poetry has lent the charm of its numbers; the grave historian has interwoven with the thread of his narrative covert attacks and sly insinuations against the Bible; the earth has been explored to prove that He who made the world and revealed its age to Moses was mistaken in its age; and the records of Oriental nations, tracing their history up cycles of ages beyond the Scripture account of the creation of the world, have been appealed to; but thus far, in all these contests, ultimate victory has declared in favour of the Bible. And no matter from what quarter the attack has come, and no matter how much learning and talent have been evinced by the adversaries of the Bible; God has raised up some Watson, or Lardner, or Chalmers, or Buckland, or Cuvier, or Wiseman, to meet these charges, and to turn the scales in favour of the cause of truth.Albert Barnes, D.D., Commentary, in loco.
1. Through persecution it has been preserved.
2. Notwithstanding enfeebling influences it has been preserved. It has often been exposed to bad air. For malism and superstition. Yet it has more adherents to-day than ever, and is growing.
3. Notwithstanding the attitude of scepticism and unbelief. Changes its front at different periods. Sometimes the literary history of the Bible is attacked; sometimes the reality of its facts; sometimes its miracles; some times its supposed incompatibility with scientific doctrines. Hitherto, however, it has always stood its ground, and emerges from every conflict stronger than before.
All this proves
1. That the Gospel, which is the life of the Church, is commended by the strongest evidence.
2. That the Gospel is perpetuated by supernatural influences. Gibbon elaborated five secondary causes of the rapid and extensive propagation of the Gospel in the first centuries. They are true as far as they go. But he slurs over in a sentence a cause still greater, namely, the power of the Holy Spirit. This is a continuous miracle. Conversion is always the work of God. Every fresh convert is a fresh evidence of the truth.
3. That Gods Church and cause shall be maintained until its mission is accomplished. Notwithstanding all difficulty, all opposition, all new forms of unbelief, it shall fulfil this prophecy in the future as it has in the past.J. Rawlinson.
Fuente: The Preacher’s Complete Homiletical Commentary Edited by Joseph S. Exell
(17) Every tongue that shall rise . . .The thought implied is that war comes as the punishment of guilt, and that it is preceded by the cry of accusation. Many such cries had risen up against the old Jerusalem (Isa. 5:7). There should be none such heard against the new.
This is the heritage.The solemn asseveration indicates the close of a distinct section.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
17. No weapon against thee shall prosper An address of encouragement to Zion. No tongue entering into contest with thee shall prevail. Opposition, physical, ethical, spiritual, shall be discomfited Such is the heritage of God’s people namely, his infallible promise, and his power to maintain and completely fulfil it.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
DISCOURSE: 980
THE SAINTS HERITAGE
Isa 54:17. No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment, thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord; and their righteousness is of me, saith the Lord.
THE Scriptures uniformly suppose men to be, not only in a state of sin, but, to a certain degree, in a state of misery also, being more or less agitated with fightings without, and fears within. The very people of God themselves are not exempt from this common lot. The difference between them and others consists not in a freedom from trouble, but in consolations and supports which they alone enjoy. They have a God to go to; a God who tenderly sympathizes with them in all their troubles, and in all their afflictions is himself afflicted [Note: Isa 63:9.]. From Him they receive the most consolatory promises, and generally in language that precludes a possibility of their doubting to whom those promises are made. Are they under the actual pressure of the deepest sorrow? He addresses them as in that very state, and characterizes them by the very tribulations which they endure. O thou afflicted, tossed with tempest, and not comforted, behold, I will interest myself in all thy concerns; and no weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper.
These words will lead me to set before you,
I.
The heritage of Gods servants
Three things are here specified as their unalienable portion;
1.
Protection from danger
[From the very beginning, they have been objects of hatred both to men and devils, who have combined their efforts for their destruction. From the days of Cain, the followers of Abels piety have been persecuted by their envious and malignant brethren; whilst Satan, as a roaring lion, has gone about, seeking to devour them
But we need not fear the assaults of either: for God has engaged, in reference to his Church at large, that the gates of hell shall not prevail against it [Note: Mat 16:18.]; and, in reference to every individual believer, that none shall pluck them out of his hand [Note: Joh 10:28-30.]. It is not his will that one of his little ones should perish [Note: Mat 18:14. Luk 12:32.].]
2.
Vindication from calumny
[What efforts have been made to destroy the character of Gods people may be seen in the account given of them by Haman to Ahasuerus: There is a certain people scattered abroad, and dispersed among the people, in all the provinces of thy kingdom; and their laws are diverse from all people, neither keep they the kings laws: therefore it is not for the kings profit to suffer them. If it please the king, let it be written that they may be destroyed [Note: Est 3:8-9.]. They still, as formerly, are a sect that is everywhere spoken against; nor is there any manner of evil which will not be laid falsely to their charge [Note: Mat 5:11.], But God does often, in a wonderful way, interpose for them, to the vindicating of their character, and the confusion of all their enemies [Note: 1Sa 24:17.]. Indeed, the very people who most bitterly traduce them, often venerate them in their hearts; even as Herod feared John, from an inward conviction that he was a just and holy man [Note: Mar 6:20.]. But, however God may suffer his people to be treated as the filth of the world and the off-scouring of all things [Note: 1Co 4:13.] even to their dying hour, there is a time coming when he will appear in their behalf: and, if man have his day, God will have his day also [Note: 1Co 4:3-5. See the Greek.]; and will bring forth their righteousness as the light, and their judgment as the noon-day [Note: Psa 37:5-6. Isa 66:5.].]
3.
Justification from all sin
[In two ways will God justify his people: the one is, by an authoritative attestation from the mouth of their Judge; the other, by putting upon them that very righteousness whereby they shall be justified. The Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ, has wrought out a righteousness which shall be unto all and upon all them that believe [Note: Rom 3:22.]: and when they are arrayed in this, God sees in them no iniquity [Note: Num 23:21.], because he has blotted it out from the book of his remembrance, and cast it all behind him, into the very depths of the sea [Note: Mic 7:19 and Isa 38:17.]. If it be sought for ever so diligently, it cannot be found [Note: Jer 50:20.]; for they are before God without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, yea, holy, and without blemish [Note: Eph 5:27.]. This is the blessed heritage of all Gods servants; and all of them in due time shall possess it.]
That we may the better estimate their felicity, let us notice,
II.
Their security for the possession of it
It is altogether of God, as our text declares; and all the perfections of God are pledged for their ultimate possession of it. It is secured to them by,
1.
The power of God
[Respecting this, there is particular mention made in the preceding context. God warns his people that they must expect persecution from an ungodly world. Behold! they shall surely gather together, but not by me: whosoever shall gather together against thee, shall tall for thy sake. But how shall the conspiracy of Gods enemies be defeated! How? God himself tells us: I have created the smith that bloweth the coals in the fire, and that bringeth forth his instrument for his work: and I have created the waster to destroy. Has He then created both the man who made the weapon, and the man that uses it; and can he not controul both the one and the other, so that the weapon shall effect only what he sees fit to permit? Let the servants of God, then, consider this: their enemies are all in the hands of God, even of their God; and they can have no power whatever, except that which is given them from above. What need then have the saints to fear? Who can get access to those whom God hides in the secret place of his tabernacle? or, Who can, with any effect, be against them, when He is for them? His name is a strong tower; and the righteous, who have run to it, are safe.]
2.
The goodness and veracity of God
[They have given themselves to him, as his servants: and will he forget them? Will He who maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust, refuse protection to those who have exposed themselves to sufferings for his sake? He has promised to them, that he will render to them according to their works: and has He said, and will he not do it? has He spoken, and will he not make it good? He would even account himself unrighteous, if he were to forget their works and labours of love, which they have shewed towards his name [Note: Heb 6:10.]. We may be sure, therefore, that, if tried in the fire, they shall come out of it purified as gold; and that, however tempted, they shall never perish, but shall have eternal life.]
Now let me ask,
1.
Who, besides the saints, possesses any such heritage as this?
[If we had crowns and kingdoms, they were not worthy to be compared with this ]
2.
Who ever confided in this promise, and was disappointed of his hope?
[Your fears may have been great, and your conflicts severe: but were you ever forsaken of your God? No: you must all bear testimony to his fidelity, even as Israel did of old; for ye know in all your hearts, and in all your souls, that not one thing hath failed of all the good things which the Lord your God spake concerning you: all are come to pass unto you, and not one thing hath failed thereof [Note: Jos 23:14.].]
Fuente: Charles Simeon’s Horae Homileticae (Old and New Testaments)
REFLECTIONS
READER! shall we not join this hallelujah, for redemption to the Gentile church, when we, as poor Gentiles, have, or ought to have, so much interest in it? Hath Jehovah indeed vouchsafed salvation, and granted repentance unto life, to the Gentiles also; and shall not we glorify God, for the unspeakable gift? Do you not know, have you not felt, hath not God the Holy Ghost opened your eyes to see, that we were once afar off, aliens to the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenant of promise, having no hope, and being without God in the world? And are we now brought nigh by the blood of Christ; married to Jesus, and made heirs of God, and joint heirs with Christ? And shall we not sing the song of salvation to God, and to the Lamb? Oh! for grace to enter into the full personal enjoyment of this sweet scripture, and to take part with the Gentile Church, breaking out on the right hand and on the left, and to feel interested in all that concerns Zion.
And oh! thou blessed, glorious, gracious Husband of thy people! we would hail thee as our maker, redeemer, surety, husband, friend! Thou art indeed the Holy One of Israel, the God of the whole earth! Thou art indeed, in one and the same moment, our Ishi, our Jesus; for thou hast said, I am married unto you, saith the Lord; and I will take you, one of a city, and two of a family, and I will bring you to Zion. Bring all thy redeemed, Lord, where thou thyself art, to behold thy glory, for thou hast said, where I am, there shall my servant be.
And do thou, blessed Jesus, until thou comest to take all thy ransomed home, fulfil all those gracious promises, to our soul’s joy. Noah’s waters shall no more cover the earth, neither shall the Lord be angry with his redeemed in Jesus. Though mountains melt at thy presence, thy people shall behold thy face with joy. Jesus will teach, Jesus will comfort, Jesus will be the portion of his afflicted. Hearken, ye enemies of the cross, hearken to what our God hath said, in these sweet promises, and give over all your fruitless attempts to hurt his anointed. No weapon shall be formed to hurt them; for the smith, the maker of weapons is under the control of our God. Both the heritage and the righteousness of God’s people are in himself; how then can any fail? Be wise now, therefore, O ye enemies of my God, for he that is his peoples portion, will be his people’s glory and defense. Let every foe hear, and tremble; whosoever shall gather together against any of Christ’s little ones, shall fall for Christ’s sake! Hallelujah! Amen.
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Isa 54:17 No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue [that] shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This [is] the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness [is] of me, saith the LORD.
Ver. 17. No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper. ] But shall be, as the poets feign of Ajax’s sword, which so long as he used against men, his enemies, served for help and defence; but after he began to abuse it to the harm of harmless beasts, it turned into his own bowels.
And every tongue thou shalt condemn.
This is the heritage.
And their righteousness.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
weapon. Same word as instrument (Isa 54:16).
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
weapon: Isa 54:15, Psa 2:1-6, Eze 38:9, Eze 38:10, Mat 16:18, Joh 10:28-30, Rom 8:1, Rom 8:28-39
every: Isa 50:8, Job 1:11, Job 2:5, Job 22:5-30, Job 42:7, Psa 32:6, Zec 3:1-4, Rev 12:10
the heritage: Isa 58:14, Psa 61:5, Dan 3:26, Dan 6:20, Rom 6:22, Rom 6:23
and their: Isa 45:24, Isa 61:10, Psa 71:16, Psa 71:19, Jer 23:6, Rom 3:22, Rom 10:4, 1Co 1:30, 2Co 5:21, Phi 3:9, 2Pe 1:1
Reciprocal: Gen 31:7 – God Gen 39:14 – he came Deu 7:24 – there shall Jos 10:21 – none Jos 24:10 – General 1Sa 18:11 – cast the javelin 1Sa 19:10 – he slipped 1Sa 23:17 – shall not 1Sa 26:25 – prevail 2Ch 13:12 – ye shall not Est 4:14 – then shall Job 5:21 – be hid Job 35:14 – yet Psa 24:5 – righteousness Psa 27:3 – war Psa 31:18 – the lying Psa 37:6 – he shall Psa 64:3 – whet Psa 109:31 – to save Psa 119:111 – Thy testimonies Isa 41:11 – all they Jer 15:21 – deliver Jer 22:7 – I Jer 30:16 – General Eze 32:27 – their weapons of war Zec 12:9 – I will Mat 12:41 – rise Mar 14:6 – Let Luk 11:31 – rise Act 6:10 – able Act 18:10 – and no Act 28:21 – We Rom 3:21 – righteousness Rom 4:6 – imputeth Rom 6:18 – servants Rom 8:31 – If Rom 8:33 – Who 1Pe 1:5 – kept 1Pe 4:19 – a faithful Rev 7:3 – the servants
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Even though opponents might arise, they would be ineffective against God’s invincible people. Hard steel or a hot tongue, two forms of antagonism that represent all forms of it, would not prosper. Yahweh’s vindication of His people would be the heritage of His servants in that peaceful era. That heritage would include restoration to intimacy with God (cf. Isa 54:1-10), and, for Israel, fulfillment of the promises in the Abrahamic Covenant (Gen 12:1-3; Gen 12:7).
"Beginning here and throughout the rest of the book, Israel is referred to as servants (pl.), and the Servant who restores his people to the covenant and brings justice to the nations is not referred to again as such [contrary to the AV]. . . .
"The purpose then in the shift to the plural at this point seems to be to finalize the distinction between the ’servant’ of the Lord, who receives benefits, and the ’Servant’ of the Lord, who makes those benefits possible." [Note: Oswalt, The Book . . . 40-66, pp. 431, 432.]
The historical setting for the fulfillment of this prophecy is the time following the Servant’s full redemption of His people. This full redemption will take place at His second advent. Even though Jesus Christ died for our sins and defeated Satan during His first advent, He has not yet destroyed the effects of sin in the creation, including humanity, or punished Satan. He will do this at His second advent. Thus, the joy Isaiah described in this chapter will come to fruition during the Millennium, and thereafter, throughout eternity.
"If all the future blessings promised in Scripture to the nation of Israel are to be fulfilled spiritually in the church, as many allege, why are not those same interpreters willing to take upon themselves all the curses pronounced against Israel? Scarcely anyone is willing to do this." [Note: A. Martin, Christ in . . ., part 2, p. 22.]