The Pulpit Commentary — Isaiah — Volume 1 — Section 62

Ver. 5.-Walking in the li,ght. That is in the path ,of present d~ty on w:l:µch the light of revelation shines. The.text is part of a spirited 3,\idress to the·Jews tQ, ,avail themselves of the privileges they had. The prospects of a gloriollll peace-time mtAAt not keep thsm from fixing their thoughts on their immediate and pressing duty. ,-I~ i~ tjght for us to cheer our souls by the look away to rest and heaven; but we mu~t _not IQ~~ the present opportunity in idle dreamings. The real way to win the heavenly iB to live in righteousness, in truth, and in charity-to "walk in the light of . the Lor!i,.'\~ ,~e remark, in unfolding this" light" in which we are invited lo walk, that--c:,- . I. Goo GIVES LIGHT DY GIVING COMMANDMENTS. Illustrate from the great natural laws written in men'.s consciences and hearts. The Decalogue was in existence as unwritten 1a.w before the finger of God traced it on the tablets. .Also from the ten commandments, as elaborated by Moses, and made to cover all the minutest details of a Jew"s life and relations. And also from the commandments given by tpe.Lord Jesus, and elaborated in detail by the apostles, ao as to apply to all the circumsta.nces an4 relations of the early Christians. _ II. GoD GIVES LIGHT BY REVEALING PRINCIPLES. These underlay Mosaism, and were discovered by the more devout and thoughtful Jews. These were brought out to view by the later prophets. It is the great characteristic of Christiap.ity that it is a religion of principles rather tban of commands; and makes its appeal to the purposes and t_he motives rather than to the mere ordering of the conduct. The renewed man, in whom the Holy Ghost dwells, should rule life by the light of hQly principles. .. _ ill GoD GIVES LIGHT BY MANIFESTING HIMSELF. In the person of his Son, who is the "Light of the world;" "the Light tut lighteth every man that cometh into the world." God shows us his glory in the face of Jesus Christ; and to walk in obedience to Christ, in dependence upon Christ, in fellowship with Christ, and in full purpose to serve, honour, and glorify Christ, is the way to" walk in the light of the Lord,"-R, T. Vers. 10, 11.-Shame for the sinner. We can more easily bear suffering than shnme. Man has great powers of physicnl endurance, Btit we dreacl ebame as we dread nothing else. '!'here was the keenest distress in that old and cruel way of tr?ating 11ome crimiuls. They were. put iu the pillory. They were lifted up on a stage m the OIL IL J-22.) THE BOOK OF THE PROPHET ISAIAH. 47