He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather together the lambs with his arm, and shall take them up in his bosom, and he himself shall carry them that are with young.

“1 Be comforted, be comforted, and so forth. This is the second principal part of this book, in which he mainly intends the consolation of the people through many promised benefits. It is divided into two parts. In the first he leads them to the expectation of the things promised; in the second he carries out the promise of the divine benefits, below, chapter 45: "Thus says the Lord to my anointed," and so forth. The first is divided into three: in the first he comforts them through the power of the one promising; in the second through his love, chapter 41: "let them keep silence before me," etc.; in the third through the weakness of the idols, which might be believed able to resist, chapter 44: "and now hear, Jacob," and so forth. Concerning the first he does three things. First he leads them to consolation; second he promises a comforter, "the voice of one crying," etc.; in the third he shows the power of God who consoles, "who has measured with the fist," and so forth. Concerning the first, three things. First he leads the people into consolation: "be comforted," in spiritual things, "be comforted," in temporal goods granted. Ecclesiasticus 48: "he comforted," etc., Zechariah 1: "the Lord answered the angel," and so forth. Second he enjoins on the prophets and priests the announcement of consolation: "speak to the heart," namely by consoling; "call," away from sadness, away from idolatry. Hosea 2: "I will lead her into the wilderness." Third he assigns the reason: as to the remission of guilt, "for it is completed," etc., above chapter 27: "and here all the fruit," etc.; as to the ending of punishments, "she has received," etc. — he speaks according to the time after the captivity. Jeremiah 17: "with double destruction," etc. But on the contrary: Nahum 1: "a double tribulation shall not arise." And it must be said that they are called double as to the punishment of body and soul, just as guilt too is in both. "The voice of one crying," and so forth. Here he promises a comforter; and concerning this he does three things. First he sets forth the preparation; second he shows the firmness of the prophecy, "the voice of one saying," etc.; third he foretells the comforter to come, "upon a mountain," and so forth. Concerning the first, three things. First he enjoins the preparation: "the voice of one crying in the wilderness," namely of John the Baptist: this it will be, "prepare," through conversion from evils, "in the wilderness," of vices. Amos 4: "prepare to meet your God," and so forth. Second he foretells the fulfillment, "every valley," following the metaphor of a bad road: if it is mountainous, it causes toil — hence he says, the valley shall be exalted, so that it may be made level with the mountains, and the whole made plain; if it is crooked it causes wandering, and as to this he says, "crooked things shall be," etc.; if it is stony it causes pain to the feet, and as to this: "rough things into ways," by which is signified that faintheartedness will be turned into security, pride into humility, wickedness into uprightness, and cruelty into gentleness. Jeremiah 31: "direct your heart into the way," and so forth. Third he shows the usefulness of the preparation, "and the glory shall be revealed," that is, the Son. Jeremiah 33: "I will heal them," etc.; "shall see" — that is, he will show himself visible to all. Or he speaks of the day of judgment. Apocalypse 1: "every eye shall see him, and they who," and so forth. Some explain it thus. "The voice," of God, "crying," this is it, "prepare in the wilderness," that is, in the land of Judah, once a wasteland, "the way of the Lord," namely for going to the temple, or in the wilderness that is between Babylon and Judah. "Every valley." By these words it is shown that all obstacles are removed, so that the people may return freely. "Glory," in the destruction of the Chaldeans, through which he will appear glorious. "The voice of one saying." In this part he shows the firmness of the prophecy, by comparison to human frailty: hence the Lord first enjoins the cry, which signifies an express and plain announcement. "Cry out." Below, chapter 58: "cry, cease not," etc.; second he enjoins the human frailty that is to be cried out, the prophet asking, "and I said, what shall I cry?" — fearing lest he be commanded to cry out something against his own people, as above chapter 6; and the Lord answering, "all flesh," and so forth. James 1: "for the sun has risen," etc.; third he shows the firmness of the divine word, "surely the grass," etc., Luke 21: "heaven and earth," and so forth. "Upon a high mountain," and so forth. Here he foretells the comforter to come; and concerning this he does three things. First the Lord enjoins upon the prophet the announcement; in the second he sets forth the promise of the coming, "behold, God"; in the third he shows the condition of the one coming, "behold the Lord." Concerning the first he determines who, to whom, and how he is to announce. Who: because it is the one who has the office, "you who bring good tidings." Romans 10: "how shall they preach, unless," and so forth. He designates the manner through three things. Through the height of the place, so that, announcing good things, he may be heard from far off, "upon a mountain," etc. — mystically, Christ, or heavenly conversation and contemplation. Above chapter 2: "come, let us ascend," etc., below chapter 42: "from the top of the mountains," etc.; through the loudness of the voice, "lift it up with strength," so that many may hear, by preaching plainly and steadfastly. Below chapter 58: "cry, cease not," etc.; through the security of the heart, "lift it up, do not," and so forth. Jeremiah 1: "be not afraid before the face," and so forth. To whom it is to be announced he determines as to three things: as to the province of the kingdom, "say to the cities," etc.; as to the metropolis of the province, "you who bring good tidings to Jerusalem"; as to the rulers of the city, "Zion," where the temple and the royal house were. Below chapter 41: "the first shall say to Zion," and so forth. Acts 13: "it was necessary that to you," and so forth. "Behold." Here he sets down the promise of God's coming, "behold," at hand, "your God" — "he will come." Above chapter 35: "God himself will come," and so forth. "Behold the Lord." Here he shows the condition of the one coming; and first he shows that he will come strong to deliver, "in strength." "Arm" — strength on the day of judgment; or in the first coming of Christ, in the power of miracles, or in the destruction of Babylon. Job 40: "if you have an arm like God," and so forth; second, that he will come just to reward, "behold, a reward." "Work before him," because it is in the ease of the will. Wisdom 5: "but the just for ever," etc.; third he shows that he will come merciful, to console, "like a shepherd." To feed the hungry, "he will feed his flock." Ezekiel 34: "in the richest pastures," etc., Jeremiah 3: "I will give you shepherds," etc.; to gather together those who dissent, "in the arm," etc., John 10: "other sheep I have," etc.; to carry the failing, "in his bosom," etc., Luke 15: "when he has found it," and so forth. "Who has measured," and so forth. Here he shows the divine power; and first he establishes it against the errors of the idolaters, who derogated from the divine power by making the creature equal to the Creator. Romans 1: "they served the creature," etc.; second, against the despair of the Jews, who derogated from the divine power by distrust, "lift up on high," and so forth. Concerning the first, two things: first he shows the power of God; second he excludes the error, "to whom then like," and so forth. Concerning the first, three things. First he shows the divine power, together with wisdom, in the easy measuring and creation of all things: for he made all things "in number," as to the multitude of principles; "in measure," as to determination under proper being; "in weight," as to inclination toward an end. Wisdom 11: "with the fist" — that is, easily, as things that are measured with the fist, which is the closed hand; "with the palm" — that is, easily, which is the open hand: "he hung it upon nothing," Job 26, because it is supported by nothing external; otherwise the earth's rest would be violent. "Upon the waters," in Psalm 28, as to position, because it is surrounded by waters. Psalm 103: "upon its own stability," as to its own cause of rest, which is its own nature: "with three fingers" — easily; or by three properties, gravity, dryness, and immobility, "he weighed" — he made them balanced by their own weight. Second he shows the sufficiency of his power, because he needs no helper, "who helped" — against the philosophers who held that, through the mediation of the first things caused, the last things were created; of wisdom, because he needs no counsel, "or who," that he might give him counsel; "with whom," that he might ask of him; "instructed him" — the form of the work; "the path of justice" — of natural justice, which he prefixed to all things, so that no thing might exceed the bounds of its own nature; "knowledge" — concerning the cognition of created things, both universal and particular, against the philosophers; "the way of prudence" — as to the governance of the world. Job 26: "whose helper are you? is it not," and so forth. Third he shows his excellence: because he exceeds the whole multitude of the nations, "behold the nations." "As a drop" — a small drop — "of the bucket," falling from the bucket, which is a water vessel fit for the thirsty, which is reckoned as nothing; "the moment" which is between the arms of the scale, which easily inclines to either side. Job 26: "when scarce a small drop," etc.; he shows also that he exceeds every fitting honor, and especially as to offering. "And Lebanon" — that is, the wood of Lebanon, with which it abounds, because it is wooded, and the animals, with which it abounds, because it is full of pasture. Micah 6: "what worthy thing shall I offer to the Lord," etc.; he shows also that he exceeds every perfection of creatures: both the natural, because their being, with respect to God, is non-being — for Dionysius says, in the book On the Divine Names, chapter 12, that by as much as things participating exceed things not participating, and the participations exceed the things participating, by so much does he who is the principle of the participations exceed both the participations and the things participating. "All nations are as if they were not," etc.; and as to the perfections superadded, which in a certain way are filling — "and as nothing," etc., Jeremiah 4: "I beheld the earth," and so forth. "To whom then," and so forth. Here he excludes the error; and first he derides the error as to the intention of the one working, because they wanted to make God. Therefore, since he is so powerful, "to whom like?" He speaks according to the error of those who thought the very likenesses themselves were gods. "Or what image?" As to those who thought that the things of which they were likenesses — such as the sun or the moon, etc. — Exodus 15: "who is like you among the strong," etc.; and as to the foolish working, because they wanted to induce a most noble form into vile matter, "has the graven image," etc., Wisdom 14: "the incommunicable name," and so forth. Second he convicts the one in error; and first from the natural law dictating, "shall you not know?" — by natural reason, that idols are not gods; and from the written law forbidding, "has it not been declared?" Romans 10: "have they not heard," and so forth. He convicts also from the consideration of creatures: of earthly things, as to creation, "have you not understood the foundations of the earth?" — that they were founded by him; that is, that part of the earth which is near the center. Proverbs 8: "when he weighed out the foundations," etc.; and as to the creator, who "sits upon the circle" — because it is spherical — as one governing; and "the inhabitants" are "as locusts," with respect to the greatness of the earth, or of God himself. From the creation also of the heavenly creatures: "who stretches out" — as to the magnitude of the heaven — "as nothing" — as to the subtlety of its substance — "as a tent" — for himself, as that in which his power first shines forth among bodily things, as to power. Or as for the habitation of the angels and saints, as to dignity; or also of the whole lower creation, as to its brightness. Jeremiah 10: "he prepares the world in wisdom," and so forth. Third he convicts them as to the subjugation of the great, setting forth the destruction of those who are great. Whether according to knowledge, "who gives" — of secrets, namely the philosophers; or according to power, "the judges" — that is, the princes. Psalm 63: "they have failed that search," etc.; and he shows the ease of the destruction through the likeness of grass, or of a tree that does not have firm roots in the earth. "And indeed not even," etc., Job 13: "against a leaf that is carried away by the wind," and so forth. Third he sets down the conclusion, "and to whom have you likened," etc., Psalm 88: "who among the clouds shall be equaled," and so forth. "Lift up," and so forth. Here he establishes the same thing against those who despair; and first he establishes the divine majesty from the creation of things, "who created these," namely the heavenly things. Psalm 32: "he spoke, and they were made," etc.; from the perfection of knowledge, "who brings out," to fulfill his own will, "in number," determined in his own knowledge, "their host" — namely, of the heavens, the stars or the angels — "by name," determining for each its own proper nature, whence it might be named. Psalm 146: "who numbers the multitude," etc.; from the fullness of dominion, "because of the greatness of his might" — for attacking; "of strength" — for resisting; "of power" — for working: "was" — from his lordship. Job 25: "is there any number," and so forth. Second he excludes the error. And first he sets down the error, "why do you say." "Hidden" — he does not see the evils I suffer, otherwise he would defend me. "Judgment" — that is, the power of judging, which he formerly had. Ecclesiasticus 16: "say not, I shall be hidden from God," etc., Ezekiel 9: "they said, he has forsaken," and so forth. Second he sets down the refutation of the error; and first the confirmation of the proof from the law: "do you not know?" — by the natural law; "or have you not heard?" — by the written law — these things that follow. Second he sets down the refutation, first showing the greatness of God from those things which he has in himself, namely, the eternity of dominion, "the everlasting God," etc., Exodus 15: "the Lord has reigned forever," etc.; the unfailing power, "he shall not faint" — so as to be unable to do all things — "nor labor" — so as to be able only with difficulty, Daniel 7: "his power," etc.; the incomprehensibility of knowledge, "nor is there any searching out." Romans 11: "how incomprehensible are," and so forth. Second, through the great things which he does in others: and first in those whom he comforts — their former weakness — "who gives to the weary," as to him who was formerly strong and has failed; and "to those who are not," as to those who were never strong, above chapter 25: "made a strength to the poor," etc., Romans 4: "calls the things that are not," 1 Corinthians 1: "has chosen the things that are weak." Second he shows the greatness of this strength by comparison with natural strength, which he first shows to fail: "the children shall faint" — those who are in the state of growing; "the young men" — who seem robust. 1 Kings 2: "not in his own strength," and so forth. Second, the greatness of the strength given by God: "but they who hope shall change their strength" — namely, natural strength into divine — so that they are not wearied by ascent, "they shall take wings," Proverbs 23: "they shall make themselves wings," etc., nor even by swift running, "they shall run," nor even by continuous walking, "they shall walk," etc., above chapter 5: "there is none that is faint nor labors," etc. (Collationes, chapter 40). The spirit of the Lord is helped (not in creation but in justification — Augustine: "he who created you without you," etc.): through preaching, 1 Corinthians 3: "God's helpers," etc., through preparation, James 4: "draw near to the Lord," etc., through cooperation, Hebrews 12: "watching, lest anyone be lacking," and so forth. The saints are compared to eagles: because of the height of their flight, Job 39: "is it at your command," etc. — in which is the eminence of contemplation, above chapter 33: "the king in his beauty," etc.; because of the keenness of their scent, Luke 16: "wherever the body shall be," etc. — in which is the fervor of love, Song of Songs 1: "draw me after you," etc.; because of the loftiness of their dwelling place, Proverbs 30: "there are three things to me," etc. — in which is the zeal for heavenly conversation, Philippians 3: "our conversation," etc.; because of the swiftness of their movement, Lamentations 4: "they were swifter," etc. — in which is the readiness for good work, Proverbs 22: "you have seen a man," etc.; because of their renewal, Psalm: "it shall be renewed as the eagle's," etc. — in which is the zeal for amendment and progress, 2 Corinthians 4: "although he who is outward," etc.; because of the beauty of their limbs, Ezekiel 17: "a great eagle," etc. — in which is the beauty of the virtues, Song of Songs 4: "you are all fair," etc.; because of their solicitude for their young, Deuteronomy 32: "as an eagle provoking," etc. — in which is the solicitude of the saints, 2 Corinthians 11: "who is weak," and so forth.”

“He shall feed his flock like a shepherd,.... Christ has a flock, a flock of men, a distinct and peculiar people, and it is but one, and that a little one, and yet a beautiful one, though often a flock of slaughter; which is his by his Father's gift, and his own purchase, and appears manifest in the effectual calling, when he calls them by name; to these he stands in the relation of a shepherd, being so by his Father's designation and appointment, and his own consent; and a good shepherd he is, as is manifest by his laying down his life for the sheep; and a great one, being Jehovah's fellow, and the chief shepherd, under whom all others are; yea, he is the one, and only one; and a very careful, compassionate, and faithful one he is; who performs his whole office as a shepherd, not only by providing food for his flock, by leading them into green and good pastures, his church and ordinances; by appointing under shepherds to feed them with the doctrines of the Gospel, the wholesome words of the Lord Jesus; and by feeding them himself, with himself, the bread of life, and hidden manna, whose flesh is meat indeed, and whose blood is drink indeed; but also by protecting them from all their enemies, the roaring and devouring lion, Satan, and wolves in sheep's clothing, false teachers; and by taking such notice and account of them, as that none of them shall be lost; and by doing all that is expressed Eze 34:16, seeking that which was lost; bringing back that which was driven away; binding up that which was broken; and strengthening and healing the sick, as well as watching over them night and day, lest any hurt them: he shall gather the lambs with his arm; the weaklings of the flock; the same with babes and sucklings, newly born souls, weak believers, mean and low in their own eyes, the smoking flax, and bruised reed, the day of small things, the poor of the flock; these he gathers with his arm of power, and by the ministry of the Gospel, both to himself, his person, righteousness, grace and fulness, and to his church, to partake of the word and ordinances of it, and to nearer communion with him in them; he gathers them up into his arms in a way of protection, when liable to fall into the hands of powerful enemies, and to be hurt by them, and in order to carry them, they not being able to go of themselves, as it follows: and carry them in his bosom; which is expressive of very great affection to them, such being greatly loved as are put into the bosom, as Obed by Naomi, the poor man's ewe lamb, and a wife of youth; as also of great nearness to him, being in his bosom must lie near his heart, and are indeed upon it; likewise it denotes the most intimate communion with him, and a being privy to his secrets, as Christ in the bosom of his Father is to his; as well as it implies an enjoyment of rest in him, and safety by him; for what can disturb or hurt such as are in the bosom of Christ? and shall gently lead those that are with young; who have the seed of grace in them, have spiritual principles wrought in their souls, Christ formed in their hearts, are full of desires for him and spiritual things, and carry a burden, that of their sins, under which they groan; these he leads out, and off of themselves to himself, his blood, righteousness, and sacrifice, into green pastures, into his Father's presence, and at last to glory; and he leads them on "gently", gradually, step by step, to see their own vileness and sinfulness, to look, go to, lay hold on him, and retain him; he leads them into the truths of the Gospel, and the deep waters of the sanctuary, and proportionably to their strength as they are able to bear, either the doctrines of the Gospel, or the duties of religion, or afflictions and sufferings; see Gen 33:14.”

“feed--including all a shepherd's care--"tend" (Eze 34:23; Psa 23:1; Heb 13:20; Pe1 2:25). carry--applicable to Messiah's restoration of Israel, as sheep scattered in all lands, and unable to move of themselves to their own land (Psa 80:1; Jer 23:3). As Israel was "carried from the womb" (that is, in its earliest days) (Isa 63:9, Isa 63:11-12; Psa 77:20), so it shall be in "old age" (that is, its latter days) (Isa 46:3-4). gently lead--as a thoughtful shepherd does the ewes "giving suck" (Margin) (Gen 33:13-14).”

“The prophet dwells upon this, the redeeming side not the judicial, as he proceeds to place the image of the good shepherd by the side of that of the Lord Jehovah. "He will feed His flock like a shepherd, take the lambs in His arm, and carry them in His bosom, and gently lead those that are giving suck." The flock is His people, now dispersed in a foreign land. The love with which He tends this flock is shown, by way of example, in His conduct towards the טלאים (= טליים from טלי = טלה), the young lambs that have not long been born, and the עלות, those giving suck, lactantes (Vulg. fetae), not those that are sucking, sugentes (from עוּל med. Vav, to nourish). Such as cannot keep pace with the flock he takes in his arms, and carries in the bosom of his dress; and the mothers he does not overdrive, but ינהל (see at Psa 23:2), lets them go gently alone, because they require care (Gen 33:13). With this loving picture the prologue in Isa 40:1-11 is brought to a close. It stands at the head of the whole, like a divine inauguration of the prophet, and like the quintessence of what he is commanded to proclaim. Nevertheless it is also an integral part of the first address. For the questions which follow cannot possibly be the commencement of the prophecy, though it is not very clear how far they form a continuation. The connection is the following: The prophet shows both didactically and paraenetically what kind of God it is whose appearance to redeem His people has been prophetically announced in Isa 40:1-11. He is the incomparably exalted One. This incomparable exaltation makes the ignorance of the worshipers of idols the more apparent, but it serves to comfort Israel. And Israel needs such consolation in its present banishment, in which it is so hard for it to comprehend the ways of God.”