Is. xxxii. 14, 15. On this passage the Midrash of Lam. iii. 49 significantly remarks that it
is one of the three passage in which mention of the Holy Ghost follows upon mention of
redemption, the other two passages being Is. 22, followed by lxi. 1, and Lam. iii. 49.
Is. xxxii. 20. The first clause is explained by Tanchuma (Par. 1. ed. Warsh. p. 4 a, first
three lines) to apply to the study of the Law, and the second to the two Messiahs, the son
of Joseph being likened to the ox, and the son of David to the ass, accordingly to Zech.
ix. 9; and similarly the verse is Messianically referred to in Deb. R. 6 (ed. Warsh. Vol. iii.
p. 15 b), in a very curious play on the words in Deut. xxii. 6, 7, where the observance of
that commandment is supposed to hasten the coming of King Messiah.
Is. xxxv . 1. This is one of the passages quoted in Tanchuma on Deut. i. 1. (ed. Warsh. p.
99 a) as among the miracles which God would do to redeem Zion in the latter days. So
also is verse 2 in this chapter.
Is. xxxv . 5, 6 is repeatedly applied to Messianic times. Thus, in Yalkut i. 78 c, and 157 a ;
in Ber. R. 95; and in Midrash on Ps. cxlvi. 8.
Verse 10 is equally applied to Messianic times in the Midrash on Ps. cvii. 1, while at the
same time it is noted that this deliverance will be accomplished by God Himself, and not
either by Elijah, nor by the King Messiah. 7 A similar reference occurs in Yalkut (vol. ii.
p. 162 d), at the close of the Commentary on the Book of Chronicles, where it is
remarked that in this world the deliverance of Israel was accomplished by man, and was
followed by fresh captivities, but in the latter or Messianic days the ir deliverance would
be accomplished by God, and would no more be followed by captivity. See also Shemoth
R. 15 and 23.
7. Signor Castelli remarks in his learned treatise (Il Messia, p. 164) that redemption is
always ascribed to God, and not to the Messia h. But the distinction is of no importance,
seeing that this is indeed the work of God, but carried out by the Messiah, while, on the
other hand, Rabbinic writings frequently refer Israel's deliverance to the agency of the
Messiah.
Is. xl. 1 is one of the passages referred to in our note on Is. xi. 12, and also on Is. xxxv. 1.
The same remark applies to verses 2 and 3.
Verse 5 is also Messianically applied in Vayyikra R. 1; Yalk. ii. 77 b about the middle.
On verse 10 Yalkut, in discussing Ex. xxxii. 6 (vol. i. p. 108 c) broaches the opinion, that
in the days of the Messiah Israel would have a double reward, on account of the
calamities which they had suffered, quoting Is. xl. 10.
Is. xli. 18 has been already noted in our remarks on Gen. xviii. 4, 5.
Verse 25 is Messianically applied in Bem. R. 13, p. 48 b.