_Thus saith the Lord, The heaven is My throne_ THE ETERNAL BLESSEDNESS OF THE TRUE ISRAEL; THE DOOM OF THE APOSTATES This chapter continues the antithesis that runs through chap. 65., carrying it onward to its eschatological issues. The connection of ideas is frequently extremely difficult to tra... [ Continue Reading ]
_To this man will I look_ GOD’S REGARD FOR THE HUMBLE I. THE CHARACTER MENTIONED. II. JEHOVAH’S ATTENTION TO SUCH AN ONE. (_H. Davis._) RELIGIOUS AFFECTIONS ATTENDED WITH HUMILITY Those that are destitute of true humility have no true religion. It is the object of the Gospel to produce this eff... [ Continue Reading ]
_He that killeth an ox_ WORSHIP AND WICKEDNESS Our prophet affirms, that the sacrifices offered by the wicked and hypocritical among the Jews, being attended with enormous crimes and profane rites, and not presented with pure hearts, according to the Divine appointment, were an abomination to the... [ Continue Reading ]
_I also will choose their delusions_ SIN AND PENALTY I. THE OFFENCE. Impenitence, aggravated transgression, wilful contempt. II. THE PUNISHMENT. Delusion, fear, ruin. (_J. Lyth, D. D._)... [ Continue Reading ]
_Hear the word of the Lord_ A GODLY MINORITY From the majority of the whole body, godless and heathen in character, the prophet now turns to the minority, who tremble with reverence when they hear God’s word. Let them hear how Jehovah will help them against their persecutors. (_F. Delitzsch, D. D... [ Continue Reading ]
_A voice of noise from the city_ SOCIAL DEGENERACY, NATIONAL APOSTASY, AND THE VOICE OF GOD It is well for us to look around upon the things that are done in the midst of us as a people; well, because we must give no connivance at evil thinking or teaching or doing; well, because we must be carefu... [ Continue Reading ]
_Before she travailed, she brought forth_ THE NEW ISRAEL The predictive message of our prophet is now so far advanced that the future promised is at the door; the Church of the future is already like a child ripe for birth, and about to separate from the womb of Zion hitherto barren. The God, who... [ Continue Reading ]
_Shall the earth be made to bring forth in one day?_ THE ACCELERATION OF GOD’S MOVEMENTS We are taught that in these latter days God is to shorten normal processes, accelerate events, and so “make a short work in righteousness.” I. THE TRUTH OF GOD HAS WEIGHT, THEREFORE MOMENTUM. II. THIS INHERE... [ Continue Reading ]
_Rejoice for joy with her, all ye that mourn for her_ A DIRGE FOR THE DOWN-GRADE, AND A SONG FOR FAITH A mourner is always an interesting person. The highest style of mourner is one whose griefs are neither selfish nor grovelling. He who bears spiritual sorrow on account of others is of a nobler... [ Continue Reading ]
_For thus saith the Lord, Behold I will extend peace to her like a river_ THE CHURCH IN PEACE AND PROSPERITY The members of the Church can then revel in peace and wealth, like a child on its mother’s breast; the world belongs entirely to the Church, for the Church belongs entirely to God. (_F. De... [ Continue Reading ]
_As one whom his mother comforteth_ ISAIAH’S FIGURE OF MOTHERHOOD (verses 7-13):--The prophet reawakens the figure, that is ever nearest his heart, of motherhood--children suckled, borne and cradled in the lap of their mother fill all his view; nay, finer still, the grown man coming back with woun... [ Continue Reading ]
_The hand of the Lord shall be known toward His servants_ THE LORD’S HAND REVEALED I. SOME OF THE WAYS THE HAND OF THE LORD MAKES ITSELF KNOWN TOWARDS HIS SERVANTS. 1. In the character they bear. 2. In the work they do. 3. In the sufferings they endure. 4. In all the triumphs of their faith an... [ Continue Reading ]
_It shall some, that I will gather all nations and tongues._ THE CONVERSION OF THE WORLD I. FUTURE PROSPECTS OF PROVIDENCE RESPECTING THE GLORIOUS WORK OF THE CONVERSION OF THE WORLD TO CHRIST. II. THE MEANS BY WHICH IT SHALL BE ACCOMPLISHED. III. THE EXTENT TO WHICH IT SHALL REACH. IV. THE HOL... [ Continue Reading ]
_And I will set a sign among them_ MISSIONS I. THE MANNER IN WHICH THE NATIONS WERE TO BE GATHERED INTO THE CHURCH OF GOD. II. THE INSTRUMENTS TO RE EMPLOYED IN EFFECTING THIS GREAT WORK. (_R. Macculloch._) TARSHISH. .. JAVAN That is, to far Spain, and the distances of Africa, towards the Black... [ Continue Reading ]
_And I will also take of them for priests and for Levites_ TAKEN FOR PRIESTS AND FOR LEVITES Those taken to be priests and Levites might be the Gentiles who bring back the dispersed of Israel, or the restored Israelites themselves. The latter is the more probable meaning. (_A. B.Davidson, D. D._)... [ Continue Reading ]
_For as the new heavens and the new earth_ THE PERPETUITY OF THE TRUE ISRAEL The bulk of the heathen world and also of Israel perish, but Israel’s name and seed, _i._. Israel as a nation with the same ancestors and an independent name, remains for ever (cf. Jeremiah 31:35 f.; Jeremiah 33:20), as th... [ Continue Reading ]
_And they shall go forth_ TRANSGRESSORS PUNISHED Those that transgressed or “rebelled” against the Lord are the obstinate idolaters referred to in chaps, 65. , 66. Their carcasses lie’s spectacle to all who come up to worship at Jerusalem, subject to never-ending corruption and never-ending burni... [ Continue Reading ]