So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my
mouth
My good word, as the Targum; this may either be understood of
Christ, the eternal Word, who is called the Word of God, and may
be said to go forth out of his mouth, being spoken of by all his
holy prophets, since the world began, whose coming was like the
rain or snow, ( Hosea 6:3 ) , he came
from heaven, from his Father there, and as a free gift of his,
and in consequence of a decree, as the rain does; the manner of
his coming, like that, was suddenly, gratefully, and with great
efficacy, watering his people with his grace, through the
ministry of the word, and making them fruitful; and though he
returned to heaven again, yet not empty, without fruit and
effect; he produced a large harvest of souls, and procured all
blessings of grace for them, and accomplished the whole will and
pleasure of God, in effecting the salvation of his people; and
the pleasure of the Lord prospered in his hand: or else it may be
interpreted of God's word of promise; the promises are made in
heaven, and come from thence as the rain and snow do; are the
gifts of God's grace; are very refreshing and reviving, as rain
to the earth; and are always effectual, being yea and amen in
Christ Jesus; and being made good, fulfil purposes, or the good
will and pleasure of God; particularly promises concerning
Christ, pardon and peace through him; such as are given forth in
this chapter: or rather it may be meant of the word of the
Gospel, which is of God; comes from heaven; is a blessing grace;
falls according to divine direction here and there; tarries not
for the expectations, desires, or deserts of men; falls in great
plenty; and is a blessing wherever it comes: it is the means of
softening the hard hearts of men; of cooling the conscience set
on fire by the law, and allaying the heat of divine wrath there;
and of refreshing and reviving drooping, disconsolate, and weary
souls: it is the means of the first buddings of grace in the
Lord's people, and of the larger exercises and flourishings of
it, and of all fruitfulness in good works: it is productive of
seed to Christ the sower, and fruit to his ministers who labour
under him, and of bread to the eater, the believer, whom it
furnishes with the bread of life to feed upon by faith: it
shall not return to me void;
it is accompanied with a divine energy; it is the power of God to
salvation: but it shall accomplish that which I
please;
in the conversion of sinners, and comfort of saints: and it
shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it:
whether it be the savour of life unto life, or the savour of
death unto death; whether for the quickening of sinners, and
reviving of saints; or whether for the hardening of men, and
leaving them without excuse to perish in their sins, both in the
Jewish and Gentile world.
Isaiah 55:11
