_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._
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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 ]