The Pulpit Commentary on Isaiah 43:17

The Pulpit Commentary · Joseph S. Exell and contributors · Public domain

Which bringeth forth the chariot and horse. Still the reference is to the events of the Exodus, whereof Israel is reminded, since "the redemption out of Egypt was a type and pledge of the deliverance to be looked for out of Babylon" (Delitzsch).

God then "brought out" after Israel, to attack him, "chariot and horse, army and power;" but the result was their destruction. They shall lie down … they shall not rise; rather, they lie down … they do not rise (so Cheyne and Delitzsch).

The future has here, as so often, the force of a present, the present being the praesens historicum. What the prophet describes in a few touches is the complete overthrow of Pharaoh's host in the Red Sea, and the entire extinction of that life which had just before shown itself as "lusty and strong."

Quenched as tow (comp. Isaiah 42:3). The metaphor is not drawn from burning tow, which is not very readily extinguished, but from the wick of a lamp, which a single breath puts out.

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commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Isaiah 43:1-28EXPOSITIONJoseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryMatthew Henry on Isaiah 43:14-21The deliverance from Babylon is foretold, but there is reference to greater events. The redemption of sinners by Christ, the conversion of the Gentiles, and the recall of the Jews, are described. All that is to be done…Matthew Henry commentaryPromises to God's People. (b. c. 708.)PROMISES TO GOD'S PEOPLE. (B. C. 708.) To so low an ebb were the faith and hope of God's people in Babylon brought that there needed line upon line to assure them that they should be released out of their captivity; and…Matthew Henry commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Isaiah 43:14-21A DECLARATION AGAINST BABYLON, AND A PROMISE OF ISRAEL'S RESTORATION. Having wound up the preceding "controversy" with a reference to his own power to work great results (Isaiah 43:13), Jehovah now brings forward two ex…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Isaiah 43:16-21Three deliverances. In the past, Israel had had one great and unparalleled deliverance, that, namely— I. FROM THE POWER OF EGYPT. With a "mighty hand and a stretched-out arm" God had saved them from the miserable fate o…Joseph S. Exell and contributors