Behold, the Lord's hand is not shortened, that it
cannot
save
It is not for want of power in the Lord, that he has not as yet
destroyed the enemies of his people, antichrist, and the
antichristian states, and saved them out of their hands, and made
them to triumph over them; or brought on the glorious state of
the church, and fulfilled the promises of good things, suggested
in the latter part of the preceding chapter. His hand is as long
as ever, and as able to reach his and their enemies in the
greatest height of power, or at the greatest distance, and to do
every good thing for them; his power is as great as ever, and not
in the least abridged or curtailed. Neither his ear heavy,
that it cannot hear:
the prayers of his people, their cries unto him on their fast
days, of which he seemed to take no notice, complained of (
Isaiah 58:3 )
, this is not owing to any want of attention in him, or of
readiness to hear prayer made unto him; for he is a God hearing
and answering prayer, and is ready to help his people in every
time of need, who apply to him in a proper and suitable manner;
his eyes are upon them, and his ears are open to their cries. And
this is introduced with a "behold", as requiring attention, and
deserving the notice and consideration of his people. The Targum
is,
``behold, not through defect of hand (or power) from the Lord ye are not saved; nor because it is heavy to him to hear, that your prayer is not received.''
