_The Spirit of the Lord is upon me_ To qualify me for effecting what is foretold and promised in the foregoing chapter. As Christ has applied this passage to himself, (see Luke 4:16,) and assured us that it was fulfilled in him, we may, with the utmost reason, conclude that he is here introduced by... [ Continue Reading ]
_And the day of vengeance of our God_ Namely, on those who reject or neglect these gracious offers of mercy and salvation: they shall not only be left in their captivity, as they deserve to be, but shall be dealt with as enemies. We have the gospel summed up, Mark 16:16, where that part of it, _he t... [ Continue Reading ]
_They shall build the old wastes_ See on chap. 58:12. As this is evidently to be understood of gospel times, the meaning seems to be, that the establishment of Christianity in the world should repair the decays of true religion, of genuine piety and virtue, which had been at a very low ebb, not only... [ Continue Reading ]
_But ye shall be named the Priests_, &c. The whole body of you shall now be as near to God as the priests were formerly, and shall be a royal priesthood, 1 Peter 2:9. This is most certainly true of all the faithful under the gospel; hence they have also their spiritual sacrifices, Romans 12:1; Hebre... [ Continue Reading ]
_For I the Lord love judgment_ I will do them right, for I love justice in myself, and in them that practise it. _I hate robbery for burnt- offerings_ I hate all things gotten by injustice, though they be for sacrifice. As God will not accept of that which cost nothing, so much less of that which is... [ Continue Reading ]
_I will greatly rejoice in the Lord_ This is spoken in the person of the church, wherein she thankfully acknowledges God's kindness to her in the fore-mentioned promises. _My soul shall be joyful in my God_ The expression here is varied, but the sense is the same with that in the former clause. _He... [ Continue Reading ]
_For as the earth bringeth forth_, &c. By this and the other metaphor here used, the church shows, not only the revival and restoration of her blessings, after they had been, as it were, dead and lost in the winter of affliction, but the great plenty and abundance of them that should spring forth an... [ Continue Reading ]