Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Isaiah 8:17
And I will wait upon the LORD, that hideth his face from the house of Jacob, and I will look for him.
17. that hideth his face ] A very common expression for Jehovah’s anger: Deu 31:17 f.; Mic 3:4; Jer 33:5; Psa 13:1; Psa 44:24; Job 13:24, &c. The special mark of displeasure which Isaiah has in view is the cessation of those admonitions and warnings which Jehovah had sent through him to the people.
will look for him ] Better: will hope in Him. The counsel which the nation and the king rejected becomes the rule of the prophet’s own life.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
And I will wait upon the Lord – This is the commencement of a new subject. The prophet had closed his former message; but had seen that in regard to the great mass of the nation, his exhortation had been in vain. He now says, that having delivered his message, he would patiently look to God alone. His hope was in him, though the nation looked elsewhere; and though calamities were coming, yet he would still trust in God only.
That hideth his face – This is a figurative expression, denoting the withdrawing of his favor and protection. He would leave them, and give them to deserved punishment; compare Job 23:9; Job 13:24; Psa 44:24; Psa 10:1; Psa 104:29.
And I will look for him – I will expect aid from him, and will believe that his promises of final protection will yet be fulfilled; compare Hab 2:3 :
For the vision is yet for an appointed time,
But at the end it shall speak, and not lie:
Though it tarry, wait for it;
Because it will surely come, it will not tarry.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Isa 8:17
And I will wait upon the Lord
Waiting upon the Lord
In the practice of this becoming resolution, Jehovah is the object of–
1.
Intense desire.
2. Diligent attention.
3. Earnest expectation.
4. Constant dependence.
In this all-important exercise, humility and hope, patience and perseverance, are happily combined with an agreeable serenity of mind, which stands in direct opposition to turbulence of spirit and uneasy emotions of soul. It cheeks every opposite passion, and preserves the mind in a pleasing tranquillity, satisfied with the sovereign good pleasure of God, and attentive to the diligent improvement of all the means appointed for attaining the end in view. In every change, affliction, and trial it disposes wholly to rely upon God, for all the blessings He hath promised to bestow, in the season He sees most proper to confer them. Hence, in the last clause of this verse, the same resolution is thus expressed, I will look for Him. (R. Macculloch.)
Waiting on the Lord in desertion and gloom
I. THE CHARACTERISTIC APPELLATION OF JEHOVAH. The God who hideth Himself.
II. THE IMPLIED MYSTERIOUSNESS OF HIS DEALINGS WITH HIS PEOPLE.
III. THE RESOLVE OF THE BELIEVER UNDER THIS VISITATION. (G. Smith, D. D.)
Fuente: Biblical Illustrator Edited by Joseph S. Exell
And, or, as this particle is rendered Jer 2:32,35, and elsewhere, yet, notwithstanding this dreadful prophecy concerning the unbelief and rejection of Israel,
I will wait upon the Lord; I will refer myself and this matter unto God, casting my care upon him, and expecting the accomplishment of his promise in sending the Messiah, and in conferring upon me and all believing Israelites, all his mercies and blessings, to be procured by and through his blood and merits.
That hideth his face; that now doth, and threateneth that he will hereafter, withdraw his favour and blessing as this phrase signifies, Psa 10:1; 27:9, and oft elsewhere.
From the house of Jacob; from the family or people of Israel.
I will look for him with an eye of faith and expectation, till his time cometh.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
17. IWhatever the rest of thenation may do, I will look to Jehovah alone.
that hideth . . . facethoughHe seems now to withdraw His countenance from Judah(the then representative of “the house of Jacob”). Let uswait and trust in, though we cannot see, Him (Isa 50:10;Isa 54:8; Hab 2:3;Luk 2:25; Luk 2:38).
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
And I will wait upon the Lord,…. Or “for the Lord” x; for the coming of Christ, the Immanuel, who would be a sanctuary to some, and a stone of stumbling to others, and whose doctrine in the meanwhile would be bound up and sealed; faith in, and expectation of the Messiah’s coming, are often signified by waiting for him,
Isa 25:9:
that hideth his face from the house of Jacob; to whom the promise of him was made, from whom he should descend, to whom he should be sent, and whom he would redeem. This is not to be understood of his deserting of his people, and withdrawing his gracious presence from them, to show his displeasure at them, and resentment of their conduct, which is sometimes the sense of this phrase; but as descriptive of Christ before his assumption of human nature, when he was “Deus absconditus”, the hidden God, as some render the words in
Isa 45:15 until he was manifest in the flesh; and which is therefore called his “appearing”, 2Ti 1:10:
and I will look for him; the prophet here speaks in his own person, and in the person of the church who in that, and in succeeding ages, as well as before, were looking by faith for the coming of Christ, and redemption by him, Lu 2:38 though some understand this of Christ, expressing his satisfaction in the few disciples he had among the Jews, and determining to wait for the accomplishment of divine promises hereafter, when he should have a larger number; the Lord for the present hiding his face from the Jewish nation, and giving them to a spirit of judicial blindness; which sense well agrees with what goes before, and follows after.
x “praestolabor Dominum”, Montanus; “expectabo Dominum”, V. L.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
Whilst offering this prayer, and looking for its fulfilment, he waits upon Jehovah. “And I wait upon Jehovah, who hides His face before the house of Jacob, and hope for Him.” A time of judgment had now commenced, which would still last a long time; but the word of God was the pledge of Israel’s continuance in the midst of it, and of the renewal of Israel’s glory afterwards. The prophet would therefore hope for the grace which was now hidden behind the wrath.
Fuente: Keil & Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament
17. Therefore I will wait for the Lord. (132) I have chosen to render the particle ו ( vau) by therefore; for the Prophet recovers himself, after having received from the Lord the consolation which we have just now seen. “Seeing that the Lord is pleased to have disciples to whom his doctrine is sealed, I will wait for him, though he hath hid his face from Jacob, that is, hath rejected and cast off his people.” This is a remarkable passage, and, by meditating continually on it, we must be greatly encouraged; for though it may seem as if the whole world had revolted, still we ought boldly to persevere; and even though God hath hid his face from his people, and they who professed his name have been cast off, still we ought to wait for him with unshaken hope. This is the only remedy that is left to us.
The word wait is exceedingly emphatic; as if he had said, “Still I will not turn aside from God, I will persevere in faith.” He increases the force of it by adding, I will look for him; for the occurrence of any offense is wont to make our faith waver and faint, and it is most grievously shaken when we see that we are deprived of allies, and that there are open enemies who boldly take to themselves the name of the Church. Offenses commonly turn us aside from God, and perplex us in such a manner that we call in question the truth of the word. This consolation is therefore highly necessary, whether the Church is oppressed by outward calamities, or thrown into confusion by the treachery of the multitude.
(132) And I will wait for the Lord. — Eng. Ver.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
WAITING ON THE LORD IN DESERTION AND GLOOM
Isa. 8:17. And I will wait upon the Lord, &c.
I. The characteristic appellation of Jehovah. The God who hideth Himself [866]
[866] For details and suggestions under this division, see outline: THE HIDDEN THINGS OF GOD, chap. Isa. 45:15.
[867] For details and suggestions under this division, see outline: THE HIDDEN THINGS OF GOD, chap. Isa. 45:15.
[868] For details and suggestions under this division, see outline: THE HIDDEN THINGS OF GOD, chap. Isa. 45:15.
II. The implied mysteriousness of His dealings with His people. It is not merely from Babylon or Egypt, from Tyre or Nineveh, that He hides His face, but from the house of Jacob.
1. The persons referred to may be regarded as typical of the Church. Though descended from Abraham, they were called the house of Jacob, to denote that they were a chosen peoplea praying people (this at least was true of the best men among them)a people in whom God delighted.
2. With these persons He dealt in a manner contrary to what we should have expected. Looking only at the relation in which He stood to them, we should have expected that the light of His countenance would have gladdened them continually. Yet He hid Himself; and He frequently hides himself not only from the world, but from the Church; not only from the wicked man, but from the believer. Yet here is a difference: in the one case it is total and constant, in the other it is but partial and temporary. In the one case it is in anger, in the other it is in love (Rev. 3:19).
3. The modes in which He hides Himself.
(1) In the cloud of providential darknessaffliction, bereavement, &c. (Isa. 1:10).
(2) In the withholding of the conscious enjoyment of religion (Job. 15:11; Job. 22:2) [869]
[869] For various suggestions and illustrations, see H. E. I. 200, 16441659, and P. D. 815.
III. The resolve of the believer under this visitation. In nothing does the grace of God shine more unmistakably than in the way in which the Christian bears trouble. Behold, this evil is of the Lord; why should I wait for the Lord any longer? said a wicked man of old; but I will look unto the Lord, and will wait for Him, is the prophets resolve.
1. As to looking for Him.
(1.) For whom do we look? For our Godour Fatherour Friendour Deliverer.
(2.) Where shall we look for Him? He is near, though concealed. Then look for Him in Christ, in whom He is reconciling the world unto Himself, in whom He is well pleased even with us. Look for Him in His promisesin His ordinancesin your closet.
(3.) How shall we look for Him? With faithzealenergydetermination (Job. 35:10; Jer. 29:13).
2. As to waiting for Him. This is a state of mind frequently enjoined and commended in the Bible. Waiting implies faithdesirepatience (P. D. 2643). When you have found Him, fall at His feet and confess your unworthiness. Resolve to follow Him fully. Cleave to Him with purpose of heart Pray, Abide with me!George Smith, D.D.
PENITENTIAL WAITING ON GOD
Isa. 8:17. And I will wait upon the Lord, &c.
Believers are in the Scriptures abundantly encouraged to wait upon God (Psa. 37:14; Isa. 25:9). In Psa. 62:5, it is suggested that this waiting upon God is connected with hopeful expectation of receiving a blessing. The same truth is taught us by our Lord in His parable on prayer (Luk. 18:1-8). However long God delays, we must wait expectantly. In our text, however, we have the idea of waiting upon God while He is hiding His face from His people. The very possibility that He should assume this attitude towards us is depressing, and not unfrequently in our religious exercises we are haunted by the fear that this is the attitude He has assumed towards us. Through fears and doubts that intercept our vision of Him, we look up to see the face of our Father, and behold only a cloud! In such a case our faith needs quickening, that our hopes may be raised and our courage renewed. The following thoughts may conduce to this end. I. God does not hide His face from us because His blessings have diminished (Isa. 40:26-31; Jer. 2:13; Jer. 17:13). II. God does not hide His face from us on account of any weariness in His love (Joh. 13:1; Isa. 49:15). III. God does not hide His face from us because of any caprice in His nature (Jas. 1:16-17). IV. If God does hide His face from us, it is only on account of our sinfulness. This is the dark atmosphere in which God becomes lost to us (chap. Isa. 49:1-2). V. Consequently, if Gods face is hidden from us, it is at once our only hope and our positive duty to wait upon Him (Jas. 4:8). Let us wait for Him and look for Him.
1. Penitently.
2. Believingly.
3. Patiently. Then will the Lord turn us again; He will cause His face to shine upon us, and we shall be saved.William Manning.
Fuente: The Preacher’s Complete Homiletical Commentary Edited by Joseph S. Exell
(17) And I will wait upon the Lord, that hideth his face . . .The words come in somewhat abruptly, but not to the extent that justifies the assumption of some critics that a verse has been lost. The prophet enforces precept by example. He has learnt to conquer the feverish desire to know the future, which led men to trust in soothsayers and diviners, and from which even his own disciples were not altogether exempt. He is content to wait, even though Jehovah hide His face, though predictions seem to fail (see Note on Isa. 8:1), and all seems dark and hopeless. There is, perhaps, a contrast between the fact that Jehovah hides His face from the house of Jacob, that all is dark for the nations life as such, while yet the prophet, in his own individuality, can look for Him with the eye of faith.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
17. And I The person “I” is Isaiah, (not Messiah, as Henderson, Alexander, Cowles, etc.) The prophet, at least, will wait upon the Lord; that is, he who had been seized by “the strong hand,” (Isa 8:11,) the mighty inspiring power of Jehovah, and whose will and thought are in complete union with him, “will wait upon” and look for him. Such a one surely is prepared to trust God absolutely, and to inspire such trust in others who are but faintly cleaving to Jehovah.
That hideth his face As God had said he should, in case of their rebelling. Deu 31:17-18; Deu 32:20.
From the house of Jacob From all his descendants, the houses of Judah and Israel.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Isa 8:17-18. And I will wait, &c. These words belong to the Messiah. The Messiah here answers God the Father, that he perfectly acquiesces in his counsel, waiting with confidence reposed in him for the completion of those great promises which were made to him by the Father, as well as those in ch. 49 though God hid his face from the greater part of the rebellious and unbelieving Jews. The children, mentioned Isa 8:18 are generally thought to refer to the apostles, and first disciples of Christ, who were indeed for signs and for wonders in Israel. See Vitringa.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
It should seem that this is the prophet’s own testimony and his own resolution, in the calamitous times coming upon the church. In the prospect of the coming Saviour, under all apparently frowning providences, he will still look for smiling mercy.
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Isa 8:17 And I will wait upon the LORD, that hideth his face from the house of Jacob, and I will look for him.
Ver. 17. And I will wait upon the Lord. ] I will patiently and peaceably submit to his holy will in the exercise of mine office, hoping that I shall be acknowledged and approved of him, though men reject me, and are for their obstinace deservedly rejected of God.
And I will look for him.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
wait. Reference to Pentateuch (Gen 49:18).
the house of Jacob. See note on Isa 2:5.
and I will look, &c. See Heb 2:13.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
I will: Isa 25:9, Isa 26:8, Isa 33:2, Isa 64:4, Gen 49:18, Psa 27:14, Psa 33:20, Psa 37:34, Psa 39:7, Psa 40:1, Psa 130:5, Lam 3:25, Lam 3:26, Hos 12:6, Mic 7:7, Hab 2:3, 1Th 1:10, 2Th 3:5, Heb 10:36-39
hideth: Isa 54:8, Isa 59:2, Isa 64:7, Deu 31:17, Deu 31:18, Deu 32:20, Eze 39:23, Eze 39:24, Mic 3:4
I will look: Isa 50:10, Luk 2:38, Heb 9:28
Reciprocal: Gen 8:10 – stayed Gen 8:12 – And he Deu 22:1 – hide thyself 2Ki 6:33 – wait for the Job 13:24 – hidest thou Job 23:9 – he hideth himself Psa 37:7 – wait Psa 60:10 – Wilt Psa 89:46 – wilt Psa 102:2 – Hide Psa 143:7 – hide not Son 5:6 – but my Isa 22:11 – ye have Isa 30:18 – blessed Isa 40:31 – they that Isa 45:15 – a God Isa 57:17 – I hid Jer 10:19 – Truly Jer 33:5 – I have hid Zec 11:11 – that waited Heb 12:2 – Looking
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Isa 8:17-18. And Or yet, as the same particle is translated, Jer 2:32; Jer 2:35, and elsewhere; I will wait on the Lord Notwithstanding this dreadful prophecy, concerning the unbelief and rejection of Israel, I will cast my care upon him, and expect the accomplishment of his promise, in sending the Messiah, and in conferring upon me, and all believing Israelites, all his mercies and blessings, to be procured for mankind by his merits; that hideth his face from the house of Jacob That now doth, and threatens that he will hereafter, withdraw his favour and blessing from the family or people of Israel. And I will look for him With an eye of faith and expectation, till his time come. Behold, I, &c. These words were literally spoken by Isaiah concerning himself, but mystically concerning Christ, of whom the prophet was a type, and therefore they are fitly applied to Christ, Heb 2:13; and the children whom the Lord hath given me His spiritual children, whom he had either begotten or instructed by his ministry; are for signs, &c., in Israel Are a gazing-stock; are derided and ridiculed, for our folly in believing Gods promises, and this even among the Israelites, who have been taught and who profess better things. From the Lord of hosts Which comes to pass by the wise counsel and providence of God; which dwelleth in Zion Where the temple was now, and where the Messiah was to set up his kingdom.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Isaiah committed himself to waiting expectantly for the Lord to act in harmony with His Word, rather than turning to another source for strength and courage (cf. Isa 40:31; Heb 2:13). Presently God was not doing anything that indicated that He was working. The "house of Jacob" refers to the Northern Kingdom.