The Pulpit Commentary — Isaiah — Volume 1 — Section 76

Vers. 1-8.-National and spiritual ana1·chy. We have a vivid picture here of- I. NATIONAL ANARCHY. 1. Its cau.se is found in national rebellion against its rightful Lord. " Their tongue and their doings are against the Lord, to provoke the eyes of his glory" (ver. 8). Sin, both in word and deed, draws down the righteous indignation of God, and, under his just administration, the penalty of iniquity is pa.id. 2. Its signs a.re seen in: (l) The loss of all fitting leaders (vers. 1-3). Those who constituted "th~ stay and the staff" a.re no longer found in positions of authority; those capable o/ ruling, those qualified to direct and to advise, those who hav11 learnt political saga.city by long experience,-these are not to be obtained; they have been deported, or they have withdrawn, or they a.re no more trained. (2) The consequent elevation of the incapable (ver. 4). Those hold the high offices of state who are utterly incompetent to fill the posts they have accepted. (3) 'l'he presence of injustice and confusion (ver. 6). Instead of all doing that which is conscientious and right a\i between man and man, every one ~eeks to overreach his neighbour; fraud and violence a.re the rule rather than the exception; and instead of the natural subordination of the you □ ger to the elder, there is insolence_ and pr~s~ption. ( 4) The absence of unselfish patriotism (vers. 6, 7). They who a.rem a pos1t10n to render help refuse to do so, untruly and unworthily excusing themselves. 3. Its issue. (Ver. 8.) "Jerusalem is being ruined (is ruined); Judah is falling (is fallen)." Bad as things a.re, they a.re not at their very worst; there remains a darker and sadder catastrophe yet to complete the destruction ; and that, viz. dreary exile for the people and depopulation for the land, will soon arrive. II. SPIRITUAL A.."TARCHY. We trace the same cause here as in the case of the ruined nation. 1. its cause is in rebellion against God, and his consequent high displeasure ~howing itself in just and appropriate penalty (ver. 8). 2. Its siqns are found in: (1) The dethronement of the soul's true authorities: conscience, which directs us what we ought to do; reason, which leads us in the path in which it is wise to walk; pure ajfectum, which draws us toward the objects we do well to love (vers. 1-3). When sin does its work within, these powers which were meant to rule are supplanted by unworthy rivals. (2) The enthronement of the nnfitting (ver. 4). As unsuited to govern a. human soul a.re the rude, uncultured appetites and passions of our lower nature as a.re "children " and babes to rule over the great affairs of state. (3) Internal struggle and insubordination (ver. 5). The animal appetites asserting themselves unduly and violently against spiritual aspirations and holy principles, and doing them dishonour. (4-) Appeal, without response, to our better nature (vers. 6, 7). It is one of the last stages in spiritual demoralization when an earnest, strenuous challenge is ma.de to that which is left in the soul of the heavenly and Divine, and it makes no response, or none, but a miserable resort to that which is false. There is little hope left then; the last spe.rks a.re expiring. 3. its issue. (Ver. 8.) A human spirit in such a. state is hastening fast to utter and irretrievable ruin. It is in the very a.et of falling ; it is coming to the ground, to be utterly humiliated and broken. It may be perhaps that on earth o soul is never in such complete ruin but that it may be repaired. Yet there are those who have fallen into such disorder that it may be said that the last dest-ruction overhangs them. 'l'o such the Master's warning words may well be uttered (see Luke xvii. 31, 32); for they must flee for their life, not losing a moment in starting, nor looking behind them when on their way.-C. Vers. 9-11.-The path of sin and the rest of righteousness, I. THAT BIN CANNOT BE CONCEALED. "'fhe show of their countenance doth witness against them" (ver. 9). Whether Liaiah's words point to the unconscious revelation of sin is uncertain, but they clearly suggest the fact. The evil that is in men's hearts is shown in their countenance, whether they wish to conceal it or whether they take a shameful pride in it. The thoughts that flit through the mind, the passions that burn within the soul, the sins that defile the inward man, are written, line by line, on the visage, and "may be known and read of all men." Are there not those whom we have to look upon in the inter•.  OH, III, 1-26.) THE BOOK OF THE PROPHET ISAIAH. 61