_CHRIST SHEWETH WHO HE IS, WHAT HIS VICTORY OVER HIS ENEMIES, AND WHAT HIS MERCY TOWARD HIS CHURCH. IN HIS JUST WRATH HE REMEMBERETH HIS FREE MERCY. THE CHURCH, IN THEIR PRAYER AND COMPLAINT, PROFESS THEIR FAITH._ _Before Christ 698._ THE fifth and last discourse of the fifth part of Isaiah's prop... [ Continue Reading ]
WHO IS THIS, &C.— Or, _Who is this that cometh from Edom, with purple garments from Bozrah? This, who is solemn,_ or _venerable in his attire, marching on in the greatness of his strength? I that speak of deliverance,_ [_doing right,_] _mighty to save._ See chap. Isaiah 34:5. The Idumeans joined wit... [ Continue Reading ]
I HAVE TRODDEN, &C.— This is a common image among the prophets, generally made use of to describe the effects of the divine vengeance, but never touched upon by any classic author among the Greeks and Romans. Bishop Lowth has well observed, that there is an energy and sublimity in this description,... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR THE DAY OF VENGEANCE, &C.— There is nothing requisite to the understanding of this passage but a reference to chap. Isaiah 59:16 where nearly the same words are used to describe the same thing. These verses may be read in the past tense. Some critics think that the phrase, _make them drunk,_ Isa... [ Continue Reading ]
_ISAIAH 63:7_.— Vitringa begins here the _second_ section of the fifth discourse, which is comprised, according to him, in this and the following chapter, and contains the discourse of a company of penitent Jews, confessional and supplicatory. In the _confessional_ part we have, _first,_ a commemora... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THE ANGEL OF HIS PRESENCE SAVED THEM— The chorus, being about to repeat particularly the general benefits mentioned in the preceding verses, refers them to two principal ones, namely, the persevering and avenging _Angel,_ and the consolatory and instructing _Holy Spirit._ They speak of the first... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT THEY REBELLED, &C.— We have frequent mention, in the books of the Old Testament, of the _Holy Spirit;_ and our prophet himself has repeatedly spoken of him. He is here denoted in his office of teaching and convincing the people, as appears from the sin committed against him. See Nehemiah 9:20; N... [ Continue Reading ]
THEN HE REMEMBERED, &C.— Vitringa is of opinion, that these are the words of the people, not of God. _Then he,_ that is, the _people,_ thus afflicted, remembered, or called to mind, the past benefits which God had conferred upon them; saying, _Where is he who heretofore performed so many and great w... [ Continue Reading ]
THAT LED THEM, &C.— _That made his glorious arm pass along at the right hand of Moses,_ &c. See Deuteronomy 33:27. Exodus 14:16. Psalms 16:8.... [ Continue Reading ]
LOOK DOWN FROM HEAVEN— In this excellent and pious prayer of the first-fruits of the converted Jews, they intreat God for his grace and mercy, to look down with an eye of compassion upon them. "Where is thy love and concern for thy people, they add, and the power thou usedst to exert for their deliv... [ Continue Reading ]
DOUBTLESS THOU ART OUR FATHER— "Our only hope is the relation we have to thee, who hast vouchsafed to call thyself our Father; for it is in vain to boast that we are the children of Abraham or Jacob. They know not our condition, nor can they afford us any relief." Vitringa thinks that the words cont... [ Continue Reading ]
O LORD, WHY HAST THOU MADE US TO ERR?— The chorus here humbly expostulate with God. The first clause may be rendered, _O Lord, why hast thou suffered us?_ &c. See Deuteronomy 32:36.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE PEOPLE OF THY HOLINESS— Or, _Thy holy people have possessed_ [_the land_] _but for a little time,_ &c. Isaiah 63:19. _We have been as they over whom thou never bearest rule, and upon whom thy name was not called._ There is no doubt but that the calamity of the external state of the Jewish people... [ Continue Reading ]