The Pulpit Commentary — Isaiah — Volume 1 — Section 106

Vera. 26-'-30.-Foreign ,nvasion. This powerful picture points to the threatened Assyrian invasion. , 'L 'l'HE IMAllE OF A WARLIKE ADVANCE. It is wrought out with singular boldness. Jehovah of hosts is conceived as lifting up a signal visible to the far-off nations, and sounding at the same -time a whistle-:cr:y, so that they swiftly gather together and oome in troops from the horizon. Then rapid and unbroken is their march. Not a foot tires, not a. warrior drowses or sleeps, or stays to rest. Not one looses bis girrlle, br· the thong of bis sandal, as the eager host presses on. The arrows are all sharpened, the bows a.II spanned,; 'l'be sound of the horses' hoofs strike and flash like flint-stones, and 'the chariot-wheels roll on like the rush of a whirlwind. The ail' is full of a horrible roar, as of lions hastening to their unescal)ing prey. Snch a picture is the faithful representation of tlie mood of the soul in its guilt and alarm. For nature reflects all our moods. Her sounds and sights are ever full of foreboding and terror to the self- condemned conscience. But-the conscience at peace will throw forth its light upon all external gloom; and· convert,, <what seem to others- the sounds of hell broke loose, into the celestial -times of eternal' love. II. 'l'HE IMAGE OF THE EARTHQUAKE. The rage in the heavens will be like a tempest at sea. And when the stricken ones turn to the firm land, there is a darkness which only reflects the anguish of their souls-thick darkness, and the light is bidden. No gloom we can couceive_ in nature,-no sounds of overwhelming violence, nor sigh ta that ~trike horror to every •breast, can rival the terrors which the guilty soul may know. •'l'he 1mul is -the real theatre of all these Divine dramas. So far as we can read the.faces of men or look into their breasts, some stand for fear and some for hope; some the scenes of g_reat quaking and· terrors, so::ne still conscious where the soft, still voice• of the God 'of mercy is ever beard. As the vox humana stop may be used to sound the-accents of _prayer amidst a storm, so in trouble tile psalms of the believer make a music of comfort.· " God is our llefuge and Strength.... Therefore will we not fear, though •the earth be remo_ved, and the mountains be cast into the midst of the sea; .. ; 'l'be Lord of hosts is with ns; the God of Jacob i8 our Refuge." "He that dwelleth in tho secret place of the Most High shall a.bide wider the shadow of the Almighty."-J. Ver. 20.-Giving false name1. "Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter l" Light is here cast upon· the secret of Israel's defection. The "woe" has come from many causes, but here is one too often forgotten root of evil-public estimate as expressed in public speech. I. 'l'HE MORAL INFLUENCE OF LANGUAGE, We are all deceived at times by a fail speech that covers foul things. '!'here is-no tendency more dangerous than to call the viciQus unfortunate, or the wicked gay. By this means the evil is coucealed from the conscience. The prophet speaks of the tendency when H hns gone so far as to exchange to opposite poles. 'l'he good is called "evil," and the evil "good." Eve □ so " a good fellow" is often the syuonym for "a bad fellow;" for revelry and selfish enjoyment, and neglect of home, often characterize the good fellow. The young are often led astray by evil, in the angel-dress of beautiful speech, II. TnE MORAL DEOEIT OF BIN'. Wo-are promised biightness, good cheer, and freedon, from gloom ; whilst evil brings darkness instead of light-a darkness which shuts out God and a gloom which takes away all the brightness of innocent joy. We are pro~ised a "sweet" brearl; and lo! bow "bitter" it is to tile taste; what a fhvour it leaves behind I Aftcnvima_l Men ehould think of that. Like tho reu wine-cup, pleasant. 92 THE BOO1.r OF THE PROPHET ISAIAH. [Ott. V, 1-30.