_Maher-shalal-hash-baz_ MAHER-SHALAL-HASH-BAZ Four words, or rather two sentences, form now the burden of this message; and they are embodied in the name of a boy. Maher-shalal,--this first sentence means that quickly shall trophies be taken--the prophet thus seeing the army of Samaria in full an... [ Continue Reading ]
_This people refuseth the waters of Shiloah that go softly_ CONSOLATION AMIDST PREDICTIONS OF JUDGMENT Isaiah does not find himself surrounded merely by the very wide circle of an incorrigible people ripe for judgment. He does not stand alone, but is surrounded by a small band of believing discipl... [ Continue Reading ]
_For the Lord spake thus to me_ GOD’S OVERPOWERING HAND The hand is the absolute Hand which, when it is laid upon a man, overpowers all his perception, feeling, and thinking. (_F. Delitzsch, D. D._) “WITH STRENGTH OF HAND” (Isaiah 8:11):--That is, seizing him and casting him into the prophetic... [ Continue Reading ]
_Neither fear ye their fear._ Sanctify the Lord of hosts Himself SANCTIFYING THE LORD To sanctify Jehovah is in mind and in practice to recognise Him as the holy God, the Lord who is absolute, free from the limitations which hinder all other beings from carrying their wills into full operation; a... [ Continue Reading ]
_And He shall be for a sanctuary_ SANCTUARY IN GOD I suppose that what all of us mourn over most in a bustling age, is a loss of sacredness in life. We have no wish to secure the false-sacred--that which is merely ascetic; nor that which is merely solemn-sacred--the dull monotony of darkened chur... [ Continue Reading ]
_Bind up the testimony_ “BIND UP THE TESTIMONY” There is evidently a reference in the text to wares or merchandise which are very valuable, and which must be bound up and sealed, to preserve them from being injured or lost, and to convey them in safety to those to whom they belong. The meaning of... [ Continue Reading ]
_And I will wait upon the Lord_ WAITING UPON THE LORD In the practice of this becoming resolution, Jehovah is the object of-- 1. Intense desire. 2. Diligent attention. 3. Earnest expectation. 4. Constant dependence. In this all-important exercise, humility and hope, patience and perseverance,... [ Continue Reading ]
_Behold, I and the children whom the Lord hath given me_ NAMES AS SIGNS The Hebrews, like most Eastern races, were very quick to see the _omen_ in the _nomen,_ the sign or portent in the name. (“_Niger_”_ in Expositor._) ISAIAH AND HIS CHILDREN AS SIGNS If one of these names implied judgment, th... [ Continue Reading ]
_And when they shall say unto you, Seek unto them that have familiar spirits_ WIZARDS Wizards and “they that have familiar spirits,” are what we should now call “mediums,” through whom the dead speak. (_A. B. Davidson, D. D._) WIZARDS THAT PEEP AND MUTTER “Peep” (_i.e., _chirp) and “mutter” ref... [ Continue Reading ]
_To the law and to the testimony_ THE WRITTEN WORD OF GOD THE ONLY STANDARD OF TRUTH I. CONSIDER THE PRINCIPLE LAID DOWN IN THE TEXT, namely, that we are to take the Scriptures, the inspired Word of “the true and living God,” as the only standard of truth. II. SEE HOW SADLY THE CHURCH OF ROME, BOT... [ Continue Reading ]
_And they shall pass through it, hardly bestead and hungry_ UNSANCTIFIED SUFFERING I. SIN LEADS TO SUFFERING. II. THERE IS IN SUFFERING NO SANCTIFYING POWER. It may harden men in iniquity. III. SUFFERING DOES NOTHING IN ITSELF TO ABATE GOD’S ANGER AGAINST SINNERS. Nothing will turn away that ang... [ Continue Reading ]