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 ]