PUBLIC-DOMAIN CHRISTIAN BOOK
The Pulpit Commentary — Isaiah — Volume 2
George Rawlinson [1812-1902] · 439,033 words · 488 reading sections
The Pulpit Commentary — Isaiah — Volume 2 — Section 361
EXPOSITION. sacrifices, the abstaining from unolean CHAPTER LVIII. meats, the avoidance of external defilement, Vers. 1-12.-FORMALISM REBUKED AND the payment of vows, the observance of the !NsTRlJCTIONS GIVEN WITH RESPECT TO FAST- one appointed fe.st, and the like. They ask of me the ordinances of justioe. Either I…
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(Lev. :r.vi. 29). The Jews, while priding Cast out; or, lwrn.elesa (&,r,,.(-your, LXX.). themselves on their observance of the day, That thou hide not thyself from thine own clid not ree.lly observe it in this particular. flesh. Tbeir ''flesh" were not merely their And e:r.aot all your la.bours; i.e. "require of near k…
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sabbatieal ye.s.rs had been little observed ever such strict sabbntarians as to understand during the later Jewish kingdom; and it this as prohibiting all speeoh on the sabbath. would seem from the present passage (comp. Some have held that sabbatio:tl talk should be scanty, limited, 1·estrainod as much as Jer. rni…
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reasonA, it mny well be that there is no call upon them to relinqnish the practice, becanr,e it calls forth opposition-even violent and bitter opposition. Christ declared that he "came not to bring peace on earth, but a sword " (Matt. x. 34). Whatever is good is sure to be evil 8poken of. But, on the other hand, opposi…
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HOMILIES BY VARIOUS AUTHORS. Vera. 1-12.-Thu and spurious fasting. Loudly, with all the strength of throat and as with trumpet-voice, the prophet is to cry and denounce the rebellion and the sins of the people. I. THEIR FORMALITY AND HYPOCRISY. They consult Jehovah daily; they apply to the prophet or the oracle; they…
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fasted to any purpose, if by it be bas not got ground of bis corruption, in some measure supplan~ed his sin, and estranged his affections from the beloved embraces of sinful objects" (South). III. THE TRUE FASTING. There was elaborate and merciful legislation for the pro• tection of Hebrew slaves (Exod. xxi. 2; Deut x…
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Ver. 2.-Delight in God. "Yet they seek me daily, and delight to know my ways." Religion is little if it is not. delight in God. This is its true touchstone. It is what we lot•e that- constitutes an abiding test. If we do not feel at heart the blessedness of reJ;gion, we may discover that we are only seeking it for self…
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Ver.13.-The sabbath ideal. "Call the sabbath a delight." It cannot be a holy day unless it is a happy day. For only souls that joy in God are really devout. Unless religious exercises have a charm for the soul, they are only routine; they are not religious. I. A SEEMING CONTRADICTION. "Turn away thy foot ... from doin…
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" the rest thRt remaineth." Christian p&rents should take heed to this. Dulnese e.nd moroseneSI! are not religion. Literature is none the less Christian that is well illus- trated, and written with e.11 the charm of an attractive style; and the church of God is none the less the house of the Lord and the gate of hea…
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111. ITs LARGE REWARD. 1. In immeoi!\te spiritu!\l enjoyment· in the gladness of heart with which the worship of Goll is anticipated (Ps. cxxii. 1); 'in tmi joy of holy fellowship and sacred song; in the happiness of domestic piety. 2. In the continuous spiritual blessedness to which it leads; for a true use of Chri…
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selves heartily to the religious life do come positively to enjoy it. It is the Divine reward of their devotion that they find personal pleasure in their pious works and ways. What strikes us as a most marked contrast betwei;n the older and the new religious life is this-our fathers found their pleasure in their religi…
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must ever be binding upon all Christians. As explained by an a1='atle, it is "knowing how to po~sess the vessel of the body in sanctification and honour. -R. 'l', Ver. 9.-00'llditions of answer to prayer. Were these men, whose lives were spent for self, but ~ho made a show of seeming to want God, proper persons to rec…
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Ver. 13.-The wn,iversal sabbath-law. "Not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words." The peculiarity of the day, the essential thing about the day, is that it is God's day, not ours. We only keep it aright when we lceep it for God. We misuse it when we fill it with any ends of …
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perserution of prophets; e.nd (3) judicial impotence are very apt to seek compensa- murders, either nctual (like the.t of Ne.both, tion by doing deetructive work, whioh at in Israel) or -rirtual, i.e. such perversion of least shows that they have a power of some justice as produced general poverty and kind. Hence " R…
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but is applied also to the noise made by 11 over as a prey to those who are less scrupu- dog (Ps. Iii:. 6, 14). Here it represents the lous than himself. deep murmur of discontent, which e.ltem11tes Vere. 15-21.-A PROMISE 0I!' DELIVER- with the mournful tones of Israel's despon- ANCE TO OPPRESSED lsRAEL. The godly i…
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vers. 16, 17. Fury to hil advenaries, re- deemer for Zion, and for those who tum, eto. oompense to his enemies. God's "adver- When the" adversaries" and the" enemiea" saries" are those of his own hollllehold-his shall have been punished, repentant Israel people, the ungodly Israelites; his •• ene- she.II be saved by…
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great plea.sure-seekers have e.lwe.ys acknowledged that the end of all indnlgence is satiety. 'l'he cry of the sensualist is for" e. new/lea.sure;" but the cry is vain. New pleasures are not forthcoming. Sensualists trea the same weary rounrl over and over again, with less of satisfaction each time it is traversed, and…
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Vers. 20, 21.-The Church indefe,ctibl,e. The Church of God, being a body of men and women, each one of whom is weak, fallible, and liable to fall from the truth, ay, even to apostasy, must, by the nature of things, be ef itself and in itself defectible. A weakness which attaches to all the individuals of a body must…
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HOMILIES BY VARIOUS .AUTHORS. Vers. 1-15.-~/le separation of the soul from God. Why in the hour of need is there no deliverance? Why are prayers for aid unanswered? .A theory might obtain, or an objection might be raised, that Divine power was not sufficient, that the Divine sensibility was dulled. And yet this cannot…
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hearts, and not your garments.' If the heart be not torn off from sin, to rend only the garment further provokes God, and makes the breach wider. There is no religious duty attains its end, but when it weakens our sin." True fasting draws down, as here seen, the pity and invites the help of the Al.mighty.-J. Vers. …
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idle to talk about turning to God. Buch religion is a sentiment, not a salvation. Then there are "inequities" in relation to God. We have been: 1. Unjust to his government. 2. We have robbed him of ourselves. 3. We have aided the forces of rebellion. 4. We have, in one word, done iniquity. II. THE DISTANCE CREATED BY …
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things t-0 serve ~ii!1, t,o 1;0inister to his people and to establish his kingdom. 8. The perfectness of D1Vine wtsdom, Who shall measure " the depth of the wisdom and knowledge of God"? H. THE POVERTY OF SPIRITUAL RESULTS. In how many instances have we oooasion to be profoundly discontented with the condition of t…
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member of the most scripture.I Church, and yet be destitute of that which is vital and essential. "He is not e. Jew who is one outwe.rdly," etc. Christian profession is a poor thing for e. soul to hide in; it is no true refuge for the human heart; it is a "web that will not mo.ke a garment." 2. 'J'he web of ceremony e.…
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iniquity of the world pained, grieved, distressed, his pure and pitiful heart. And his compassion fonnd fitting utterance in redemption. "His arm brought salvation." The redemption of the world by Jesus Christ was indeed a work wrought; it was a putting forth of Divine power; it was the mighty act of God's righteous "…
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As if thy love 11nd power Were vnnish'd from her sky: Yet God is there, and at his side He triumphs who for sinners died." It may suffice to answer the murmurers who remind us of the Divine delayings, and woulrl have us misunderstand them, and join them in doubtings of the Divine power or the Divine good will, that …
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Ver. 7.-Sin in tho,tghts. "Their thoughts are thoughts of iniquity." I. THE rnroRTANCE OF A MAN'S THOUGHTS. A man is as his thoughts. Thie la the fact and truth on which we may dwell. Anyone who would truly judge his follow-mo.n must know his secrets and judge his thoughts. Therefore man's juclgment of his fellow- …
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'!'bore ie no third party to the question. And God can save man. He has always been finding out man's extremity, and making it his gracious opportunity; ever saving tribes, saving cities, saving societies, saving families, saving individuals. God, the Redeemer, is the name for God that is blazoned on the history of eve…
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Spirit of the Lord bas lifted up a standard against them." Further illustrate from the way in which the plans of the Apostle Paul and his companions were blocked. "They essayed to go into Bithynia, but the Spfrit su:tfered them not." We seldom feel as we ought how greciou~ly God helps us by shutting doors which we fai…
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ver. 14, where it is found to be "the city of e.s the time of Jacob, when they carried the Lord, the Zion of the Holy One of "spicery and balm and myrrh" from the Iernol." Zion has long been proetrate in land of Gilead into Egypt (Gen. xxxvii. 25, the duet from the prophet's standpoint, and 28, 36). Ephah is a sub-t…
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(eh. xii. 1; xlii. 4; xli.x. l; li. 5, eto.). as imagery, the representation ie that the Thev shnll send their sons, and their gifts, barren hills which stand about Jerusnlom in ships, which will come from far, and shall, in the new state 'of things, be c!eoked cover the Mediterranean (see the preceding with tall an…
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child at the mother's breast, thou shalt ken-he malree no announcement on the obtain kindly nourishment through the subject; sufficient for him that the redeemed means of the Gentiles, who acknowledge bask perpetually in e. Divine radiance sl:ed thee for their superior, and place all their upon them by the "Fe.tber of …
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HOMILETICS. Vers. 1-22.-~ characteristics of the final Cfhurch of the Redeemm'. Ieaiah'a teaching on this sn bject divides itself uud~r three heads. I. THE CHURCH SHALL BE RADIANT WITH A LIGHT DERIVED FROM HER LORD. The ra<liance spoken of (vers. 1-3) is a radiance of moral and spiritual goodness. The absolute mor…
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but a reflection from the Eternal. He is a Sun to enlighten the understanding, open the eyes of the mind, thrill the heart with love. When through the faithlessness of the Ohurch that splendour fades from her, there are no conversions, there is little interest in religion. When it reappears, nations set forth to tha…
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material luminaries, shall enlighten it ( eh. xxx. 26; cf. Rev, xxi. 23; xxii. 6). All the wonders of the natur&l world must pale and turn lustreless before the effulgence of moral beauty. The glory of the Church is its great Head-his Name, attributes, laws, and protecting care. Not eo much wealth, talent, numbers, iu…
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is indispensable to nature here. Its ilcws and darkness answer numberless purposes of good in the wide creation. And must we not say that the gloom and mystery of life have all a meaning, a Divine intent? and that the spirit of the probationer for eternity is perfected in it? 'l'o have all sunshine in a world so staine…
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as I think, of a calmer joy; the blessedness of a being who, no longer vexed with anger, bate, or jealousy, no more burdened wit.h pride, or prejudice, or selfishness, sees and enjoys God in all around and all within him. Who-what shall disturb this joy? "Neither shall thy moon withdraw itself." IV. THE SUNSHINE OF…
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Is e. Di vine rebuke of our estimates. We look at outward magnitudes; God looks at the.t which has inward extension in itself. I. THIB IB TRUE IIIBTORIOALLY. Israel found it so. The Pilgrim Fathers found it so, And me.ny Churches have found it so, where there has been loving co-operation e.nd personal consecration. Lo…
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and scorned shall acknowledge its heavenly origin, and their lips shall utter the redeeming trut.h; their own hands shall build the walls of Zion. V. 'l'RE mooMING OF THE REMOTEST. (Vers. 6, 8, 9.) 1. Those most distant in space. They shall seek entrance who come from furthest latitudes, whose language, laws, custo…
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eloquenco, reo.soning, force,-they co.nnot resist the power of godliness; it is like the Influence of lea.van; it is like the testimony of the dawning day, which men muHt heed. Jerusalem of old-Jerusalem spiritualized a.a the modern Church-may well be bidden to "put on the beautiful garments" of godly !.i.ving, and "ar…
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Ver. 12.-The condition of national prosperity. "Every nation shall fall unless it serves the Lord, the righteous God, the God of Israel, through whom alone is salvation. The figure of serving Israel means serving the God of Israel " (Matthew Arnold). Foerster remarks that " the Roman pontiffs abuse this oracle of th…
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or conversions. 2. Renewals of religious life; or sanctification, 3. Enlargement of religious feelings, This, however, may be spurious, or it may be sound. 4. Recon- secration to religious work. II. 'l'BE CONDITIONS ON WBIOB THE FULFILMENTS OF THIS PROMISE DEPEND, Onr moral attitudes. We must be set for the blessing. …
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CHAPTER LXL in bis portrait of the predicted One" (De- litzsch), Hence most recent commentators, Vers. 1---3.-Tm: MrsSION OP THE Su- whatever their school of thought, have ac- vANT OF THE LoBD. The words of onr Lord quiesced in the patristic interpretation, which in Luke iv. 21, "Th.is day is thiB Scripture regarded …
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e.s ho grow to manhood (Luke ii. 40, 52), Jitere.lly, oaks of righteauimess, or strong e.nd which WBB openly manifested at his baptism, enduring plants in the garJen of God, and never ceased till he took hie body and planted by him, in order that through them soul with him into heaven. Of tbis spiritual he might be glo…
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Turr,el wae to be "n lingdom of priests, and what they have suffered. Nny, more-over an holy nation " (Exod. xix. 6). Had they and &hove this, God will give them the risen to the height of their ealling when our blessing of &11 " everlasting covenant" ( comp, Lord and hie disciples offered them salvation eh. lv. 3).…
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unsuited to the rhetorical tone which everywhere characterizes Isaiah. Still, as the subject is one of transcendent interest, and as our Lord himself cites the pa~sagc as descriptive of hie mission, it may be useful to note how many, and what purposes, it sets before us as included in the counsels of the Father, and in…
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the.t between suoh hearing e.nd e. hardening of the bee.rt consequent on the rejection of his gracious messe.ge. 'l'o mankind e.t large the "time of acceptance" is the time of their sojoum here below,duringwhich it is e.lwe.ys possible for them to repent and turn to him, unless perchance they have been guilty of the…
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whatever else it mo.y mean, cannot but primarily symbolize the gift of the Holy Spirit, which is called by St. John an "unction from the Holy One" (1 John ii. 20), and which was, in fact, the unction wherewith Christ himself was anointed (see the comment on ver. 1). To give the Holy Spirit to Christians was a very ma.i…
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HOMILIES BY VARIOUS AUTHORS. VerB. 1-9.-Message of grare to Zion. L THE ANOINTING OF THE MEBBENGEB. -Onder the Law, the priests were anointed (Exod. xxix. 7; Lev. vii. 36), and also the kings (1 Sam. ix. 16 ; L 1 ; xvi. 13). It was the sign of appointment to a high office or commission from God. Hence, by a figure,…
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Ver, 1.-The coming Saviour. "The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me," etc. 'l'hese words are specially memorable as beillg those which the Saviour read in the syn11gogue at Nazareth. We have had it described to us" with its pillared portico of Grecian architecture, with its seats on one side for the men; on the other, b…
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end ia missed all is missed. If the column does not stand erect and nphold the building, it is nothing to me that yon decorate it when on the gr01J,nd. That is not its place, its uso; it is a pillar or nothing. So man was made in this bigl,est end to glorify God; and his lire is blighted-if it is rich in cultivation, e…
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Vers. 1, 2.-The beneficent mission. These words are undeniably Messianic; that is their secondary, if not their primary, import. Of the mission of Christ they remind us- I. THAT JEsus CHRIST WAS SENT OF GoD. Our Lord not only stated but insisted that he came forth from God. He constantly took up the position here a…
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Vers. 6-9.-Privilege, reputation, hope. We have here- I. AN OPEN PRIVILEGE to be eagerly employed. "Ye shall be named the Prieste of the Lord." Under the Law the priesthood was limited to one family of one tribe; the rest of the nation had rights and duties outside and inferior. 'l'l,ere stand, indeed, the ancient wor…
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whose souls there is constant conflict. Sin gets power to enslave throu.zh the body. "Whoso committeth sin is the slave of sin." Messiah comes to energize souls for victory over enslaving bodies and enslaving circumstances. Giving life to souls, he gives liberty. "Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty." IV…
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be SRd when, in the polar regions, they never saw the sun for one hundred and forty long and weary days. Those out of Christ have good reaaon to be sad. It is even a hopeful sign that they are. Philosophers and scientific teachers who do not "like to retain God in their thoughts" are always sad-affectingly, impressi…
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generations." Abraham, as the first father of the race, may be taken as the type of all fathers and mothers. Then the course of thought may be this- I. Tmi PIOUS PATERNAL CHARACTER. As seen in Abraham, it includes: 1. Reverence. A due sense of the "unseen" is the secret of the sense of dut.y which lies at the basis of…
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EXPOSITION. CHAPTER LXIl. ludi.11). Thou she.lt beoalled by anew name (comp. vcrs. 4 and 12; and see also eh. Vere. 1-12.-FuRTBER GR.\CIOUS PRo- lxv. 15). It is not altogether cle11r what the lllSES MADE TO ISRAEL BY" THE SERVANT." "new name" is, since in the rem11inder of Some regard the speaker in this chapler a…
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rege.rded o.s o. femo.le (" the virgin de.ughter hours. Henceforth this plundering should of Zion," eh. xxxvii. 22) is also married to cease. Jehove.h, e.nd recognizes him e.s her Bride- Ver. 9.-Bhall drink it in the courts of my groom (comp. oh. !iv. 5). As Bridegroom, holineBB. This is not to be understood lite- …
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would be especially known t.o the Jews (Exod. iii. 14), and it became a sort of proper name with them and their neighbours. it was this name which wa.s not to be taken in vain (Exod. xx. 7). It came to be regarded as so holy that the Jews would not venture t-0 pronounce it, but substituted the word ".Adonai," or "Lo…
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Vers. 10-12.-The homeward call. "The prophet returns to the exiles in Babylon, and urii;es them not to delay their homeward march." It is the same call which resounded in the two former divisions of the prophecy (eh. xlviil. 20; lii. 11). I. THE WAY CLEARED. The gates of Babylon are to be thrown open. Invisible servan…
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Christ, to which all the ages looked forward, that God "remembers us in our low estate for his mercy endureth for ever," and that, though often mistaken, we shall never b; termed Forsaken. I. 'l'em IS A DIVINE REPLY. A reply to wbat? Why, to Zion's utterance in oh. xlix. 14, "The Lord hath forsaken me." Not, mark y…
913 wordsSource & rights
Public domain historical Pulpit Commentary. Source page identifies the volume as Public Domain; text extracted from its historical PDF.
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Historical Christian writing; not Scripture.