_Woe to thee that spoilest_ Isaiah 33:1 The most beautiful of Isaiah’s discourse [in which] the long conflict of Israel’s sin with Jehovah’s righteousness is left behind, and the dark colours of present and past distress serve only as a foil to the assured felicity that is ready to dawn on Jehovah... [ Continue Reading ]
_O Lord, be gracious unto us_ AN APPROPRIATE PRAYER They pray-- 1. For those that were employed in military services for them. “Be Thou their arm every morning.” In our spiritual warfare our own hands are not sufficient for us, nor can we bring anything to pass unless God not only strengthen our... [ Continue Reading ]
_Wisdom and knowledge shall be the stability of thy times_ THE ADVANTAGES OF SUNDAY SCHOOLS I. THE VALUABLY. INSTRUCTION IN THE ART OF READING WHICH THEY HAVE IMPARTED TO MANY WHO COULD NOT OTHERWISE HAVE ATTAINED IT. II. THEY HAVE BEEN EMINENTLY USEFUL IN PROMOTING THE CIVILISATION OF THE INFERI... [ Continue Reading ]
_The ambassadors of peace shall weep bitterly_ THE WEEPING AMBASSADORS Tell me not of the removal of statesmen, the falling of generals or admirals in warfare, the removal of princes or monarchs from palaces and thrones--all these may take place and leave, comparatively, no chasm in society, when... [ Continue Reading ]
_The sinners in Zion are afraid_ “THE SINNERS IN ZION” What a contradiction in terms! what a shock to the fancy! Zion! fair Zion, a dewdrop, a glittering star, a garden of beauty, a sweet flower, porcelain without a flaw, honey without wax--Zion! Then, “sinners in Zion”--sinners out of place; they... [ Continue Reading ]
_He that walketh righteously_ THE CITIZENS OF GOD’S KINGDOM I. THE CHARACTER of the true citizens of God’s kingdom is expressed in general terms. “Walketh righteously”; “speaketh uprightly.” II. The DETAILS are given in which the character is revealed. “Despiseth the gain,” &c. (_Prof J. Skinner,... [ Continue Reading ]
_He shall dwell on high_ THE LIFE OF SURRENDER AND TRUST I. A LIFE OF EXALTATION. “Shall dwell on high.” Those who are kept safe, are kept rejoicing, and that constantly; it is not an intermittent experience. “He shall dwell.” The same thought is given in Psalms 91:1, and in John 15:11. It is alwa... [ Continue Reading ]
_Thine eyes shall see the King in ms beauty_ THE KING IN HIS BEAUTY Jerusalem was surrounded by the army of Sennacherib. The relief gained when Hezekiah paid over the three hundred talents of silver and the thirty talents of gold, emptying thereby the royal treasury and stripping the gold from the... [ Continue Reading ]
_Look upon Zion, the city of our solemnities--_ ISAIAH’S IMAGERY Among the images which crowd the concluding verses of this chapter, we may perhaps, without fancifulness, distinguish an under-current of thoughts suggested by the circumstances of the times at which this prophecy was delivered; the p... [ Continue Reading ]
_The glorious Lord will be unto us a place of broad rivers and streams_ THE GLORIOUS LORD, THE ONLY SECURITY AND CONSOLATION TO HIS PEOPLE I. THE LORD HIMSELF IS THE FOUNDATION OR CAUSE OF THE SAINTS’ SAFETY AND BLESSEDNESS. “For there the glorious Lord will be unto us a place of broad rivers and... [ Continue Reading ]
_For the Lord is our Judge. .. lawgiver. .. king_ SALVATION IN HARMONY WITH DIVINE RELATIONS The advent of sin into the world is one of the greatest mysteries of the universe. It was the introduction of a mighty force for evil in direct antagonism to God, and to everything God ever made. Now that... [ Continue Reading ]
_Thy tacklings are loosed_ THY TACKLINGS ARE LOOSED The tacklings may denote the good counsels of wise senators; a strong, well-disciplined army; and money, which is necessary to supply the exigences of the State. These tacklings are loosed, when few prudent men can be found to manage public affa... [ Continue Reading ]
_And the inhabitant shall not say, I am sick_ THE BLISS OF HEAVEN Two principal circumstances are dwelt upon, as constituting the bliss of heaven. I. THERE IS NO SORROW IN HEAVEN. “The inhabitant shall not say, I am sick.” It is otherwise in this world, ruined as it has been by sin. Here “the who... [ Continue Reading ]