_Sing, O barren_
JERUSALEM: BARREN, THEN FRUITFUL
The direct address refers to Jerusalem, which resembled Sarah in her
early barrenness and later fruitfulness Isaiah 51:1).
(_F. Delitzsch, D.D._)
THE RELATION BETWEEN Isaiah 53:1; Isaiah 54:1
From Calvin to Ewald and Dillman, critics have all fe... [ Continue Reading ]
_Enlarge the place of thy tent._
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AN ENLARGED CHURCH
The Jewish nation, after its return from captivity, never attained so
remarkable a degree of prosperity and power as fully to answer all the
terms of this prophecy. It is true that they became a very numerous
people; so that from forty-two tho... [ Continue Reading ]
_Fear not; for thou shalt net be ashamed_
SHAME
Here, as in many other cases, shame includes the disappointment of the
hopes, hut with specific reference to previous misconduct (Job 6:20).
The first clause declares that the Church has nocause for despondency,
the second disposes of the causes whi... [ Continue Reading ]
_For thy Maker is thine Husband_
THE LORD PEOPLE’S HUSBAND
I. CONSIDER SOME THINGS WHICH ARE IMPLIED IN THIS RELATION WHEREIN
CHRIST STANDS TO HIS PEOPLE, THAT NATURALLY TEND TO ENCOURAGE THEIR
FAITH AND JOY IN HIM.
1. This relation intimates that nearness and union which there is
between Christ... [ Continue Reading ]
_For the Lord hath called thee as a woman forsaken_
GOD IS LOVE
None of those who came before the Lord Jesus ventured to define God as
love.
But it does not follow, as we sometimes assume, that the holy men who
were moved by the Holy Ghost before Christ came into the world did not
know and teach t... [ Continue Reading ]
_For a small moment have I forsaken thee_
AFFLICTION CONSOLATION
This is a word of blessed comfort from One who is able to give it.
Here is--
I. TEMPORARY AFFLICTION. Observe--
1. Its Author. “I have forsaken.” All trial comes from the hand of
God Himself. Means may be employed, but He works th... [ Continue Reading ]
_In a little wrath I hid My face from thee_
GOD’S FACE HIDDEN
To say God hath cast me off because He hath hid His face is a fallacy
fetched out of the devil’s topics.
When the sun is eclipsed, foolish people may think it will never
recover light, but wise men know it will. During the eclipse, tho... [ Continue Reading ]
_For this is as the waters of Noah unto Me_
THE LORD NO MORE WROTH WITH HIS PEOPLE
I. WHAT MEN HAVE MOST TO FEAR. All men who are unsaved ought, with
fear and trembling, to dread the wrath of God--the wrath present, and
the wrath to come. The text speaks of the Lord’s being wroth, as of
an evil to... [ Continue Reading ]
_For the mountains shall depart_
MOUNTAINS STABLE, YET CRUMBLING
Those who have been reared and nurtured among the everlasting hills
always look upon them as old friends.
To them there is in mountain, valley and glen a peace reposing in the
bosom of strength that soothes the heart to rest. Jean Pa... [ Continue Reading ]
_O thou afflicted_
THE CITY OF GOD
The reference is still to Jerusalem.
In the former paragraph, she was addressed as a barren wife; here as
destined to arise from her encumbering ruins, and become the joy of
the whole earth. Of course, the primary reference is to that actual
rebuilding which took... [ Continue Reading ]
_And I will make thy windows of agates_
AGATES
Agates are precious stones, partially transparent and uncrystallized.
They are mere varieties of quartz, variously coloured by admixtures of
different earths; although the neutral tints arc the most frequent.
They generally occur in rounded nodules,... [ Continue Reading ]
_And all thy children shall be taught of the Lord_
DISCIPLES OF JEHOVAH
The expression is probably suggested by what the Servant of Jehovah
says of Himself in Isaiah 50:4; the idea being that the citizens of
the New Jerusalem shall be the spiritual seed of the Servant.
(_Prof. J. Skinner, D. D._)... [ Continue Reading ]
_Behold, they shall surely gather together_
THE ADVERSARIES OF THE CHURCH DEFEATED
The unwearied mischievous attempts of the adversaries of God’s
people in the world, as they are made without God, so they shall end
in shame to themselves.
I. THE ADVERSARIES OF GOD’S PEOPLE WILL BE UNWEARIEDLY ATT... [ Continue Reading ]
_Behold, I have created the smith_
HOPE FOR THE CHURCH IN THE SOVEREIGNTY OF GOD
The general meaning evidently is, that God can certainly redeem His
pledge, because all instruments and agents are alike at His disposal
and under His control.
(_J. A. Alexander._)
THE CHURCH’S FEARS SILENCED
The id... [ Continue Reading ]
_No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper_
WORTHLESS WEAPONS
I. GLANCE AT THE WEAPONS WHICH HAVE BEEN USED AGAINST THE CHURCH
COLLECTIVELY.
1. The first weapon that we notice is an old one--Infidelity. Nothing
can be more palpable than this--humanity refuses to be infidel.
2. Behold a... [ Continue Reading ]