_The righteous perisheth_ THE RIGHTEOUS PERISHING In view of this prevailing demoralization and worldliness (Isaiah 56:9), the righteous one succumbs to the grinding weight of external and internal sufferings: he “perishes,” dies before his time (Ecclesiastes 7:15), from the midst of his contempor... [ Continue Reading ]
_He shall enter into peace_ THE BELIEVER IN LIFE, DEATH, AND ETERNITY Taking them together, the words of the text will lead us to contemplate the child of God-- I. IN THE STRENGTH AND VIGOUR OF LIFE. II. IN THE SUFFERING AND THE ARTICLE OF DEATH. III. IN THE CONSEQUENCES OF DISSOLUTION, AS THEY... [ Continue Reading ]
_Among the smooth stones of the stream is thy portion_ SMOOTH STONES The term “portion” suggests that the “smooth stones” were fetishes. (_A. B. Davidson, D. D._) FALSE SODS THE IDOLATER’S PORTION In stony valleys they set up their gods, which they called their portion, and took for their lot,... [ Continue Reading ]
_Thou art wearied in the greatness of thy way_ THE WEARINESS OF SIN The text is a striking representation of the sinner’s conduct in fruitless efforts to obtain happiness anywhere but from heaven. He wanders from object to object, he becomes weary in his pursuit, yet he will not abandon it. I. H... [ Continue Reading ]
_And shall say, Cast ye up_ GOD RIGHTEOUS, YET GRACIOUS The second half of Isaiah 57:13 forms a transition to the next section, which is a promise of salvation to the true Israel. In striking contrast to the menacing tone of Isaiah 57:3 f is the impressive and elevated language in which the proph... [ Continue Reading ]
_For thus saith the High and Lofty One that inhabiteth eternity._ A ROYAL MANIFESTO A royal manifesto win His character as Sovereign, God brings before us, and before His loyal subjects in every age, what we may regard as His two titles and His two palaces. I. HIS TWO TITLES. 1. “The High and Lof... [ Continue Reading ]
_For I will not contend for ever_ GOD’S CONTENDINGS WITH MAN I. LET US ADVERT TO THE CONTROVERSY ITSELF--WHAT IT IS, WHY IT IS, AND HOW IT IS CARRIED ON. What this quarrel is we know. It is a part of that ancient strife for mastery, which has been going on ever since the fall, between truth and err... [ Continue Reading ]
_For the iniquity of his covetousness was I wroth_ THE PUNISHMENT OF BACKSLIDERS; BUT THEIR ENCOURAGEMENT WHEN PENITENT These words remind us of the language of the apostle to the Romans: “Where sin abounded grace did much more abound. ” I. THE ACCUSATORY PART. 1. The evil complained of--“The i... [ Continue Reading ]
_I have seen his ways, and will heal him_ OBSERVING AND HEALING This could only be said of God--He alone can see the ways of man. We have here-- I. A DIVINE ATTRIBUTE. Intimate knowledge of the ways of men. “I have seen.” God has no need to be told. Tale-bearers exaggerate and lie. God does not... [ Continue Reading ]
_I create the fruit of the lips_ PEACE, PEACE I. THE GRAND SUBJECT OF HE GOSPEL PROCLAMATION. “Peace, peace! saith the Lord.” It implies a state of previous enmity and quarrel: a state of alarm and disquietude: and a remedy for both. 1. And does not the message of the Gospel find us in a state of... [ Continue Reading ]
_But the wicked are like the troubled sea_ THE RESTLESSNESS OF SIN Who are the wicked? Not only all who think and feel and do the wrong, but all who have not the right spirit within them--supreme sympathy with the supremely good. There are degrees inwickedness as well as in goodness. There are ce... [ Continue Reading ]
_There is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked_ THE STANDARD OF RIGHTEOUSNESS MAINTAINED The fifty-seventh chapter ends with a declaration which shows that amid all the goodness and graciousness of the Divine way the standard of righteousness is never lowered: never is the dignity of law impaired... [ Continue Reading ]