Verse 5
5. As Messianic prophecy extended over many years in which many political changes took place in harmony with these, it displayed its riches by a variety more effective than if it had been manifested all at once. As the moral condition of the Jews required in each instance, so Messiah was exhibited in a corresponding phase, thus becoming more and more the soul of the nation's life: so that He is represented as the antitypical Israel (Isaiah 49:3).
unto David—HENGSTENBERG observes that Isaiah dwells more on His prophetical and priestly office, which had already been partly set forth (Deuteronomy 18:18; Psalms 110:4). Other prophets dwell more on His kingly office. Therefore here He is associated with "David" the king: but in Psalms 110:4- : with the then poor and unknown "Jesse."
righteous Branch—"the Branch of righteousness" (Psalms 110:4- :); "The Branch" simply (Zechariah 3:8; Zechariah 6:12); "The Branch of the Lord" (Isaiah 4:2).
prosper—the very term applied to Messiah's undertaking (Isaiah 4:2- :, Margin; Isaiah 4:2- :). Righteousness or justice is the characteristic of Messiah elsewhere, too, in connection with our salvation or justification (Isaiah 53:11; Daniel 9:24; Zechariah 9:9). So in the New Testament He is not merely "righteous" Himself, but "righteousness to us" (Zechariah 9:9- :), so that we become "the righteousness of God in Him" (Romans 10:3; Romans 10:4; 2 Corinthians 5:19-21; Philippians 3:9).
execute judgment and justice in the earth— (Psalms 72:2; Isaiah 9:7; Isaiah 32:1; Isaiah 32:18). Not merely a spiritual reign in the sense in which He is "our righteousness," but a righteous reign "in the earth" (Jeremiah 3:17; Jeremiah 3:18). In some passages He is said to come to judge, in others to reign. In Jeremiah 3:18- :, He is called "the King." Jeremiah 3:18- : unites them. Compare Daniel 7:22; Daniel 7:26; Daniel 7:27.
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