_Woe to the rebellious children_ A FOOLISH MISSION In chapter 30 the negotiations with Egypt are represented as having reached a further stage: an embassy, despatched for the purpose of concluding a treaty, is already on its way to the court of the Pharaohs. Isaiah takes the opportunity of reiter... [ Continue Reading ]
_Their strength is to sit still_ A POLICY IN AN EPIGRAM Sometimes a policy is summed up in an epigram, or in an easily quotable sentence; and it can be used as a war cry or as an election cry; it can be adapted to political uses of many sorts. Thus it was said of the Bourbons that “they forgot not... [ Continue Reading ]
_Note it in a book_ KEEPING A JOURNAL (for children):-- I. THE JOURNAL YOU MAY KEEP. You may spend your pocket money in a book, pen and ink, and set up a journal. If so-- 1. Its nature. (1) Not about self. Do not write much about yourself, your own thoughts and feelings. Let there be but few ca... [ Continue Reading ]
_This is a rebellious people_ DISLIKE TO MINISTERIAL FIDELITY The Jews have very many followers under the Christian dispensation. I. STATE THE TRUTHS WHICH ARE USUALLY OBNOXIOUS TO SUCH PERSONS. There are many doctrines to which every faithful preacher of God’s Word feels bound to give ample room... [ Continue Reading ]
_As a breach ready to fall._ - A RETRIBUTIVE CRASH The best translation seems to be: “Therefore this guilt shall be to you as a rent descending (literally, “falling”) (and) bulging out in a high wall, whose crash comes,” etc. The slight beginnings of transgression, its inevitable tendency to grav... [ Continue Reading ]
_He shall break it as the breaking of the potter’s vessel_ A POTTERY MOUND One of the most curious objects in Rome is a huge artificial mound called Monte Testaccio. It stands near the gate of St. Paul’s, between the Aventine Hill and the Tiber. .. It is a conspicuous object, being nearly one-thir... [ Continue Reading ]
_In returning and rest shall ye be saved_ THE VANITY OF EARTHLY HELP IN TIME OF TRIAL, AND THE PROFIT OF PATIENT WAITING I. THE INSUFFICIENCY OF ALL HUMAN DEPENDENCE. The records of the Jewish nation, which have come down to us, abundantly prove this truth. 1. These words were especially spoken t... [ Continue Reading ]
_Till ye be left as a beacon upon the top of a mountain_ ISRAEL’S PAST, PRESENT, AND FUTURE I. THE PAST. 1. Sins of God’s people (Isaiah 30:1; Isaiah 30:9). Rejecting His Word; trusting in arm of flesh. 2. Judgment on them (Isaiah 30:16). 3. Mercy to them in things spiritual and temporal (Isaiah... [ Continue Reading ]
_And therefore will the Lord wait, that He may be gracious unto you_ THE WAITING HOURS OF LIFE We are all familiar with the waiting hours of life, when the stream hardly seems to move, or the air to stir; when the heart grows sick with deferred hope. There are hours on languid summer days when all... [ Continue Reading ]
_He will be very gracious unto thee_ ENCOURAGEMENTS FOR FAITH Observe the kind of prayer which is here said to move the Divine pity and win the Divine favour. It is designated a cry, _i.e., _it is a very fervent, earnest, importunate prayer. It is a prayer that comes out of the depths of the heart... [ Continue Reading ]
_Thine eyes shall see thy teachers_ TROUBLE MAKING THE HEAVENLY TEACHER REAL The siege shall surely come, with its sorely concrete privations, but the Lord will be there, equally distinct. .. Real, concrete sorrows,--these are they that make the heavenly Teacher real! It is linguistically possible,... [ Continue Reading ]
_And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee_ THE BATH KOL The voice is evidently that of a faithful guide and monitor; according to the Rabbins the _Bath kol_ or mysterious echo which conducts and warns the righteous. (_J. A. Alexander._) A VOICE BEHIND THEE The direction of the voice “from b... [ Continue Reading ]
_Then shall He give the rain of thy seed_ THE EFFUSION OF THE HOLY SPIRIT These words are, in their literal sense, a promise of a bountiful supply from God of the showers of dew and rain, by which the earth would be made abundantly fruitful. The promise is given with reference to the casting away... [ Continue Reading ]
_The Light of the moon shall be as the light of the sun_ FAITH’S ASTRONOMY It is worthy of closest observation that the Bible standpoint is as distinct from the astrologer’s position as it is from that of the modern observer. It differs equally from each in this respect, that God’s believing chil... [ Continue Reading ]
_Ye shall have a song_ COMMUNION MEMORIES These Jewish wayfarers returned to their several homes to resume their usual occupations. So it is with us. After the most sacred festal and sacramental seasons, the world’s business and cares necessarily reassert their claims. But, would these old Jewish... [ Continue Reading ]
_For Tophet is ordained of old_ THE ANNIHILATION OF THE ASSYRIAN POWER The annihilation of the Assyrian power is graphically set forth as one great funeral obsequy, such as were well known among Eastern nations. The Divine command prepares the Tophet or pyre; and in its flames all the glory of As... [ Continue Reading ]