_THE JOYFUL FLOURISHING OF CHRIST'S KINGDOM. THE WEAK ARE ENCOURAGED BY THE VIRTUES AND PRIVILEGES OF THE GOSPEL._ _Before Christ 713._ THE prophet in this chapter, containing the 2nd section of his 3rd discourse, sets forth the jubilee of the church, upon the downfall of its enemies, together wit... [ Continue Reading ]
THE WILDERNESS, &C.— There can be no doubt of the connection of this chapter with that preceding. Comp. Isaiah 35:4 with Isaiah 35:8 in that chapter. The most joyful, prosperous, and glorious things are here predicted, concerning the state of the church after the judgment upon Edom, in such figurati... [ Continue Reading ]
STRENGTHEN YE THE WEAK HANDS— These words seem rightly to be understood as an address of the prophet to the teachers of the church of that time whereof he speaks, exhorting them, from the promise of the certain deliverance and glorious restoration of the oppressed and afflicted church, to comfort th... [ Continue Reading ]
THEN THE EYES OF THE BLIND SHALL BE OPENED— After a parenthesis in the two preceding verses, the prophet continues his discourse, and more particularly sets forth those privileges of the church which should constitute its dignity and felicity. These privileges undoubtedly are spiritual; and though t... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR IN THE WILDERNESS, &C.— The prophet here gives us another specimen of the wonderful change in the nature of things with respect to their spiritual state; not only the weak, those who were devoid of comfort, and thirsting for grace among the people of God—who were like a _desart,_ shall at this t... [ Continue Reading ]
AND AN HIGHWAY, &C.— According to Vitringa the meaning of this verse is, that the rule of faith and morals, according to which the Israel of God must walk, shall be so clearly and fully shewn at this time from the word of God, that men of the most simple and uncultivated understandings, lovers of th... [ Continue Reading ]
NO LION SHALL BE THERE, &C.— The prophet in these verses continues the figure, expressing, _first,_ that this way for the ransomed should not only be plain, but free from all kinds of danger; the meaning whereof is, that they who at that time professed and possessed the true religion should be safe... [ Continue Reading ]