CONTENTS Much is said in this chapter of Cyrus, king of Persia: but much more of Jesus, King of Zion. It is spoken by way of prophecy in the first relation to Babylon, but in the more direct reference to the redemption by Christ.... [ Continue Reading ]
This is a most remarkable portion of the holy scripture, and very highly merits our attention. The Lord here speaks of a man, and a stranger too, not one of Israel, and calls him by his name, at least 200 years before the events predicted of him were to be fulfilled. In the history to which this por... [ Continue Reading ]
It is most blessed to read those scriptures, in which Jehovah takes to himself his supreme sovereignty. A believing soul finds great delight in the contemplation. For, in the first place, the self-existing and eternal nature of Jehovah becomes the security of the Church in Jesus; and, in the next pl... [ Continue Reading ]
Is not this the Lord's command? And ought not the faithful to form their earnest prayers upon it? Reader, I would say, for myself and for you, doth a gracious God in Christ command grace to drop as the dew upon the souls of his redeemed, and is Jesus himself come down us rain upon the mown grass? Oh... [ Continue Reading ]
How beautiful and striking is this figure of the potsherd, to shed the folly and danger of finding fault with God. Earthen vessels, struck one against another, will break; contentions among men are foolish; but contention against God, in any of his dispensations, of nature, providence, or grace, is... [ Continue Reading ]
Perhaps in all the Bible there is not a passage equal to this for showing the Lord's graciousness at his mercy-seat. The expression seems as if the Lord had thrown the reins of government into the hands of his people, that they might not only ask, but command. We meet with very many passages, wherei... [ Continue Reading ]
Was there ever a more blessed and gracious proclamation made by God the Father, concerning the person, work, and glory of the Lord Jesus Christ, than what is contained in these words? To read this verse with reference to Cyrus, as some have done, is to enervate the passage sadly, and endanger the mi... [ Continue Reading ]
As the former verse contains the proclamation of Jehovah concerning the person and work of his dear Son, God-man Mediator; so in this, he as graciously proclaims the blessed consequences of his offices and labours. And we have lived to see in part, and to partake also in the blessings of this grace,... [ Continue Reading ]
What a beautiful contrast is here drawn, between the Lord Jehovah, in his plan of grace and salvation, and the trumpery of idol-worship. Reader! you and I shall do well to keep in remembrance what the Lord saith in this sweet promise, of his people's salvation: Israel shall be saved, Put this down a... [ Continue Reading ]
It is blessed to observe, when God is at anytime proposing mercies to his people, how the Lord introduceth his gracious promise with the declaration of his own glorious character, lest the greatness of the blessing proposed should overwhelm the mind and excite fear, as if the promise were too great... [ Continue Reading ]
I have often read, and I hope with increasing pleasure and profit, the blessedness of the union here made, and by Jehovah himself, of his own glorious attributes, as manifested in the work of redemption:, A just God and a Saviour. Here is, at once, an everlasting distinction made between the true Go... [ Continue Reading ]
If this gracious invitation of Jesus, to look unto him, were proclaimed every day from the house-top, yea, from heaven itself, it would not be more sure, nor certain, nay, not so much so as now it is, in the blessed word of God's grace. And yet who is there that regards it? God the Father commends i... [ Continue Reading ]
REFLECTIONS PONDER over this lovely Chapter, my soul, again and again, not dismiss the sweet meditation, until the Holy Ghost hath written the blessed contents of it in thine inmost affection. Behold the Lord's love to Israel, in preparing the Church, during so many years, for their temporal delive... [ Continue Reading ]