Isaiah 59:16-18

16 And He saw that there was 1no man, And was astonished that there was no one to intercede; Then His 2own arm brought salvation to Him, And His righteousness upheld Him.
17 He put on 3righteousness like a breastplate, And a 4helmet of salvation on His head; And He put on 5garments of vengeance for clothing And wrapped Himself with 6zeal as a mantle.
18 7According to their deeds, so He will repay, Wrath to His adversaries, recompense to His enemies; To the coastlands He will make recompense.

Isaiah 59:16-18 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO ISAIAH 59

As the former chapter declares the hypocrisy and formality of professors of religion; this expresses the errors and heresies, immorality and profaneness, which shall prevail before the spiritual reign of Christ, or the latter day glory begins; which is so fully described in the next chapter. Reasons are given of God's withdrawing his presence from a professing people, which were not want of power and readiness in him, but their own sins and transgressions, Isa 59:1,2 which are enumerated, such as murder, rapine, lies Isa 59:3-8 for which the judgments of God were upon them, darkness, distress, and misery, of which they were sensible, Isa 59:9-11 and confess their sins and transgressions, Isa 59:12,13 and lament their wretched state and condition, which was displeasing to God, Isa 59:14,15 who is represented as appearing for their salvation; moved to it by their want of help, and the oppression of their enemies, in which he shows his power, justice, zeal, grace, and goodness, Isa 59:16-18 the consequence of which shall be the conversion and salvation of many, owing to the efficacy of the divine Spirit, and to the spiritual coming of the Redeemer, Isa 59:19,20, and the chapter is closed with a promise of the continuance of the Spirit of God, and the Gospel of Christ in his church, unto the end of the world, Isa 59:21.

Cross References 7

  • 1. Isaiah 41:28; Isaiah 63:5; Ezekiel 22:30
  • 2. Psalms 98:1; Isaiah 52:10; Isaiah 63:5
  • 3. Ephesians 6:14
  • 4. Ephesians 6:17; 1 Thessalonians 5:8
  • 5. Isaiah 63:2, 3
  • 6. Isaiah 9:7; Isaiah 37:32; Zechariah 1:14
  • 7. Job 34:11; Isaiah 65:6, 7; Isaiah 66:6; Jeremiah 17:10

Footnotes 3

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