_I am sought of them that asked not for Me_ JEHOVAH’S ANSWER TO THE PRAYER OF THE CHURCH The supplication is ended; and chap. 65. appears to be intended as the answer--an answer, however, in which a distinction is drawn between worthy and unworthy members of Israel, and a different prospect is he... [ Continue Reading ]
_A people that provoked Me to anger_ OBSTINACY PROVOKES GOD’S WRATH By rejecting His love with stiff-necked obstinacy, they have incurred wrath, which, though long and patiently restrained, now bursts out with uncontrolled violence. “The people that continually provokes Me to My face, sacrificing... [ Continue Reading ]
_Which may, Stand by thyself_ “ I AM HOLIER THAN THOU” For “I am holier read, probably, else I will make thee holy. ” The practices referred to were “mysteries,” and the initiated would communicate his “holiness” to others by contact with them, and so unfit them for all the ordinary uses of life... [ Continue Reading ]
_Thus saith the Lord, As the new wine is found in the cluster._ GOD’S REGARD FAR THE FAITHFUL REMNANT OF HIS PEOPLE As one does not destroy a cluster consisting of good and bad berries, because one would also destroy the Divine blessing contained in it, so Jehovah for His servants’ sake will not a... [ Continue Reading ]
_That prepare a table for that troop_ LUCK AND FORTUNE Among Orientals the planets Jupiter and Venus were worshipped as the Larger and the Lesser Luck. They were worshipped as Merodach and Istar among the Babylonians. Merodach was worshipped for prosperity. It may be Merodach and Istar to whom ar... [ Continue Reading ]
_Therefore will I number you to the sword._ - THE DECLARATION OF GOD AGAINST THE DISOBEDIENCE OF ISRAEL I. THE ACCUSATION. A guilty inattention to the voice of God. II. THE THREAT (Isaiah 65:13). (_R. G. Buddicomb, M. A._) GOD’S CALL DESPISED I. THE GRACIOUS CALL OF GOD. II. THE IMPENITENCE O... [ Continue Reading ]
_Behold, My servants shall eat, but ye shall be hungry_ THE BETTER FEAST It is observable how frequently in Holy Scripture mankind are divided into two classes. In the text, the Lord God Himself clearly distinguishes between His servants and others. The one shall eat, drink, and rejoice; the othe... [ Continue Reading ]
_Behold, My servants shall sing_ JOYS Heathenism knows nothing of the gladness described in oar text, But in this life every man may sing for joy of heart. 1. God makes His servants sing for joy of heart. There was once a famous musician who could bring out the most charming music from one string... [ Continue Reading ]
_For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth_ “NEW HEAVENS AND A NEW EARTH,” “New heavens and a new earth,” _i._a new universe, Hebrew having no single word for the Cosmos. The phrase sums up a whole aspect of the prophetic theology. The idea of a transformation of nature so as to be in harm... [ Continue Reading ]
_There shall be no more thence an infant of days_ LONGEVITY The whole is a highly poetical description of longevity, to be explained precisely like the promise of new heavens and a new earth (Isaiah 65:17). (_J. A. Alexander._) THE CHILD SHALL DIE AN HUNDRED YEARS OLD Youth and age There is pro... [ Continue Reading ]
_As the days of a tree_ TREES Of all natural objects trees have the closest fellowship with man. When growing together in dense primeval forests they indeed exclude his presence, and the gloom and solitude produce an awe as of the supernatural world. But in the open cultivated spaces around his ho... [ Continue Reading ]
_And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer._ THE CHURCH IN HARMONY WITH GOD’S WILL The will of the Church of the new Jerusalem will be Jehovah’s will to such a degree that he already hears and fulfils the slightest movement of prayer in the heart, the prayer but half-uttered.... [ Continue Reading ]