Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Isaiah 63:12
That led [them] by the right hand of Moses with his glorious arm, dividing the water before them, to make himself an everlasting name?
12. Render with R.V. That caused his glorious arm to go at the right hand of Moses &c.; accompanying him with its wonder-working power symbolized by the “rod of God” (Exo 17:9). The reference in the latter part of the verse is not, as some have thought, to the bringing forth of water from the rock (ch. Isa 48:21; Exo 17:1-7) but to the passage of the Red Sea.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
That led them by the right hand of Moses – (See the notes at Isa 41:10-13; Isa 45:1).
Dividing the water before them – Exo 14:21.
To make himself an everlasting name – He designed to perform a work which, it would be seen, could not be performed by any false god or by any human arm, and to do it in such circumstances, and in such a manner, that it might be seen everywhere that this was the true God (compare the notes at Isa 45:6). The deliverance from Egypt was attended with such amazing miracles, and with such a sudden destruction of his foes, that none but the true God could have performed it. Egypt was at that time the center of all the science, civilization, and art known among mankind; and what occurred there would be known to other lands. God, therefore, in this signal manner, designed to make a public demonstration of his existence and power that shall be known in all lands, and that should never be forgotten.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Isa 63:12
That led them
God and His people
I.
GOD LEADS HIS PEOPLE BY INSTRUMENTS WHICH HE CHOOSES AND QUALIFIES,
II. HE DEFENDS THEM WITH THE ARM OF HIS POWER.
III. HE REMOVES EVERY DIFFICULTY THAT INTERCEPTS THEIR COURSE.
IV. HE GLORIFIES HIS OWN NAME IN THEIR DELIVERANCE. (J. Lyth, D. D.)
To make Himself an everlasting name
Gods glorious and everlasting name
(with Isa 63:14 : to make Thyself a glorious name ):–Manschief end is to glorify and enjoy God. Gods greatest and highest object is to make to Himself a glorious and an everlasting name. Since God is God it must be so: for He is full of love and kindness to His creatures, and He cannot more fully bless His creatures than by making Himself known to them. Everything that is good, true, holy, excellent, loving, is in God. God may well desire to make to Himself a name–that is to say, to make Himself known–because He is worthy to be known. This knowledge of God is the heaven of the perfect. It is the help of the growing. Men can only get holier and better as they know more of God. It is also the great hope of sinners. If you knew Him better, you would fly to Him. If you understood how gracious He is, you would seek Him. If you could have any idea of His holiness, you would loathe your self-righteousness. If you knew anything of His power, you would not venture to contend with Him. If you knew anything of His grace, you would not hesitate to yield yourself to Him.
I. GODS DESIGN HAS BEEN ACCOMPLISHED. From everlasting He was God most glorious; He existed, but He had as yet no name. For a name is that by which any one is revealed, and until His power called into being the hosts of heaven, God was God alone, and there were none to whom He could be known. Then the angels lifted high His praise in their songs, and bowed low before His throne. In creation His name was manifested and magnified. But our subject is how God has made His name glorious amongst men.
1. The text speaks of God as making to Himself a great and glorious name, in redeeming Israel.
2. As God got to Himself a great name at the Red Sea, He has done much more by the great work of salvation in the gift of Jesus.
3. HIS design has been accomplished in the saints in glory.
II. GODS DESIGN IS BEING ACCOMPLISHED. In many ways the grand work is still going forward. God is carrying out His gracious plan. This purpose is being fulfilled–
1. In sparing the provoking.
2. In turning the rebellious to Himself.
3. In forgiving the guilty.
4. In purifying the unholy.
5. In preserving the tempted.
6. In using weak instruments.
7. In doing great things for His people by sending very wonderful seasons of refreshing and reviving to His Church.
III. GODS DESIGN IS VERY DELIGHTFUL.
1. Because it hides pride from men.
2. Because it opens a great door for sinners.
3. Because it gives comfort to strugglers.
4. Because it sustains in trying times.
5. Because it answers our chiefest prayers. Hallowed be Thy name, etc. (C. H Spurgeon.)
Fuente: Biblical Illustrator Edited by Joseph S. Exell
The right land, viz. the strength and power that God gave to Moses, expressed by the right hand, that being usually esteemed the stronger, Psa 16:8; 20:6. Or, the rod in his right hand; by which understand also all the wonders that he did for them in Egypt.
With his glorious arm; or that arm wherewith God gained to himself so much glory, being always present at the assistance of Moses, Deu 4:34; or Mosess right hand, led by Gods glorious arm, as parents lead their children, that God may have all the glory in the using of his instruments.
Dividing the water; the Red Sea, Exo 14:21, and also Jordan, Jos 3:15,16. To make himself an everlasting name; with reference both to his power and providence, as respecting either his aim and end in doing what he did, or the effect of it when it was done, it got him renown.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
12. The right hand ofMoses was but the instrument; the arm of God was the realmover (Exo 15:6; Exo 14:21).
dividing the water(Neh 9:11; Psa 78:13).
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
That led them by the right hand of Moses with his glorious arm,…. That is, through the Red sea, as the next clause shows: this was done by the right hand of Moses, and the rod in it, to which Kimchi thinks respect is had; who, by divine order, lifted up his rod, and stretched out his hand over the sea, and divided it, and so led the people through it: but, lest this should be attributed to Moses and his rod, the glorious arm of the Lord is made mention of, which held and guided the right hand of Moses, and from whence came all that power that was exerted on this occasion. Aben Ezra interprets this of the Angel of the Lord, that went before them: it seems to design the arm of omnipotence, which was gloriously displayed, Ex 15:6:
dividing the water before them; the waters of the sea, so that they rose up as a wall on each side them, through which they passed as on dry land: to make himself an everlasting name? or to get himself everlasting honour and glory, as he did on Pharaoh, his chariots, and his horsemen, Ex 14:17 and which wonderful action of his has been and ever will be spoken of to the glory of his name, which was the end he had in view.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
12. Who led them. Here he goes on to describe the miraculous deliverance of the people, who were led out of Egypt under the guidance of Moses; and he goes on to relate the complaints which might occur to the minds of the afflicted Jews. Here we see two things connected; namely, the right hand of Moses and the arm of God’s majesty. The Lord employs the labors and ministry of men in such a manner that his praise and glory must not be in any degree diminished or obscured; for, while these things are transacted under Moses as the leader, everything is ascribed to God. Just as, when the ministers of the Gospel are said to “forgive sins,” (Joh 20:23,) which nevertheless belongs to God alone, does this detract from his authority and majesty? Not at all; for they are only his instruments, and lend their labor to God, to whom the undivided praise ought to be rendered. And indeed, what could the hand of a single man have accomplished, if it had not been wielded by the arm of God?
Accordingly, he expressly adds the design, that God performed miracles at that time, in order that he might gain for himself an everlasting name; and if we are not at liberty to deprive him of this, it will not be lawful to transfer to man even the smallest portion of praise.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
(12) With his glorious arm.Literally, with the arm of His glory, or majesty. This, the arm of the Unseen Guide, is thought of as accompanying the leader of Israel, ready to grasp his hand and support him in time of need.
Dividing the water.The words may include the passage of the Jordan, but refer primarily to that of the Red Sea. (Comp. Psa. 77:16; Psa. 106:9.)
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
Isa 63:12. That led them, &c. That made his glorious arm pass along at the right hand of Moses, &c. See Deu 33:27. Exo 14:16. Psa 16:8.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
Isa 63:12 That led [them] by the right hand of Moses with his glorious arm, dividing the water before them, to make himself an everlasting name?
Ver. 12. That led them by the right hand of Moses with his glorious arm. ] Or, That made his gallant arm to go at Moses’ right hand.
Dividing the water before them.
a Funccius.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
arm. Reference to Pentateuch (Exo 15:16). App-92.
dividing the water. Reference to Pentateuch (Exo 14:21, the same word).
everlasting name. See note on Isa 44:7.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
with: Exo 15:6, Exo 15:13, Exo 15:16, Psa 80:1
dividing: Exo 14:21, Jos 3:16, Neh 9:11, Psa 78:13, Psa 114:5-7, Psa 136:13-16
to make: Isa 55:13, Exo 14:16, Exo 14:17, Rom 9:17
Reciprocal: Exo 3:10 – General Exo 3:15 – this is my name for ever Exo 3:19 – General Exo 6:1 – with a strong Exo 9:16 – that my Exo 14:29 – walked Exo 16:6 – the Lord Deu 4:37 – with his Deu 8:15 – led thee Deu 26:8 – the Lord Jos 4:23 – which he dried Jos 24:6 – Egyptians 2Sa 7:23 – make him 1Ki 8:42 – thy strong hand 1Ch 17:20 – according 1Ch 17:21 – make thee Neh 9:10 – didst Psa 44:3 – thy right Psa 77:20 – General Psa 103:7 – He made Psa 105:27 – They Psa 114:3 – sea Isa 11:16 – like as it was Isa 51:10 – dried Isa 63:14 – to make Isa 63:16 – General Isa 64:2 – to make Jer 31:32 – in the Jer 31:35 – which divideth Jer 32:20 – and hast Hos 12:13 – General Zep 3:17 – is mighty Mat 8:26 – and rebuked Mat 14:31 – stretched Luk 1:51 – showed Act 7:35 – a ruler
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Then God had manifested His power through Moses, His right-hand-man in the Exodus. The Lord had divided the waters of the Red Sea and had divided the waters of the Jordan River. He had thereby earned an everlasting reputation among His people and even among the nations.