The mode of expression used by the prophet, naturally leads us to this, as indeed the most appro- priate view. When he asks, "Who is this ?" he in- tends to express his admiration of the object ; just as the prophet Micah does of Jehovah, " Who is a God like unto theem? Let us then contemplate our ado- rable Saviour, as exhibited to us in our text : let us contemplate,
1 . The representation given of him —
[Commentators who interpret this passage of the Saviour, as having his garments dyed with his oivn blood, quite mistake its meaning : it is with the blood of his enemies that he is covered, just as a warrior may be supposed to be, when return- ing from the slaughter of his enemies. And this is the view frequently given of him in the Holy Scriptures. His garments
previous to the battle n , together with his going forth
to the engagement0 , and the slaughter consequent
k Col. ii. 15. i Acts ii. 32—36. m Mic. via. 18.
n Isai. lix. 16, 17. ° Ps. xlv. 3—5.
upon itp , are described in other parts of Holy Writ;
and by them is our interpretation of this passage elucidated and confirmed. Let us then behold with admiration this mighty Concpieror, now so "glorious in his apparel, and tra- velling in the greatness of his strength." He appears not as one exhausted with fatigue, but as one whom no enemy can resist. Let us ascribe to him the honour due unto his name ; and let the song by which the typical victory of Jehovah at the Red Sea was celebrated, be sung by us ; for our Jesus " hath triumphed gloriously:" "Who is like unto thee, O Lord, among the gods ? Who is like thee, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders'1?"
2. The description given of himself — [In his reply to the question, " Who is this?" he informs us who he is; "I that speak in righteousness, mighty to save." Not only does he " speak in righteousness," as the true and faithful witness, but he speaks of righteousness, and is the great Herald that proclaims it to a ruined world. He himself has by his death " brought in an everlasting righteousness r," which shall be " unto all, and upon all, that believe in hims." Hear with what extreme earnestness he proclaims it to the whole world1 : and shall we not adore such a Benefactor as He? Shall sinners, who have no righteousness of their own, " be made the righteousness of God in himu," and not exult? Shall they not glory in him as " The Lord their righteous- ness3'," and boast, each one for himself, " In the Lord have I righteousness and strengthy?"
But consider further how " mighty he is to save:" he is " a Saviour and a Great One2," even " a Prince and a Saviour a;" or rather as he is called by an inspired Apostle, " The great God and our Saviour, Jesus Christ b." This is the great argu- ment whereby he encourages us all to trust in him ; " Look unto me and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth ; for I am Godc\" and this is the view in which all his Ministers are commanded to hold him forth : we must " lift up our voice with strength, and say unto the cities of Judah, Behold your Godd!"
Whilst then from " his garments dyed in blood" we discern how able he is to destroy, let us remember, that he is able also to savee, yea, " able to save to the uttermost all that come unto God by himf."]
p Rev. xix. 11 — 18, 21. Mark especially ver. 13, 16. 1 Exod. xv. 1, 3—11. r Dan. ix. 24. s Rom. iii. 22.
* Isai. li. 4—6. u 2 Cor. v. 21. x Jer. xxiii. 6.
y Isai. xlv. 24, 25. z Isai. xix. 20. a Acts v. 31.