_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 ]