The Pulpit Commentary — Isaiah — Volume 1 — Section 183

HOMILIES BY VARIOUS AUTHORS. Vers. 1-7.-Vt"sion of future glory. In bright contrast to the preceding gloomy outlook, bursts the enrapturing view of future glory on the prophet's soul. I. CoMPENSATION FOB PAST SUl"FEBING. Not for ever is the land to lie darkened. A great light of deliverance is to appear. The prophet's glance rests on the northern and eastern portions of the kingdom of Ephraim. They had been conquered by Assyria, and the people carried away captive (2 Kings xv. 29). But" as the former time brought shame to Zebulon and Naphtali, the latter also bringeth honour towards the sea, beyond the Jordan, towards the heathen-march." The depopulated land will bask in the snnshine of restored prosperity. Assembling" before Jehovah," i.e. in hie sacred place--, they will rejoice as :it a harvest ingathering, or at a division of spoil after victory. For the Assyrian yoke will be broken, and crushing will be the defeat of the foes of the nation, like that of Midian in days of yore. Every trace of war a.nd barbarity will be placed under a ban, and be destroyed by fire-the boot that had clanked on the heel of the foreign solclier, and the red battle-garment. II. THE EVEBLABTING KINGDOJI OF PEACE. The pledge of its establishment is· the promise of the wondrous Child. 1. His names. Not only Immanuel, God witlt us, is he to be ea.lied; but other names bespeak his attributes a.s a great Prince. Wondeiful Counsellor: agail:!st whose deep providence no plots ca.n contend, and conspiracies of short-sighted craft will be in vain. Hero-God: invincible in battle. Everlasting Fatl,er: maintaining and fostering his people, educating them by law and by love. Prince of peace: who will cause wars to cease to the ends of the earth. "The empire is pl:lace," was the noted word of a potentate of one time, that charmed the ear for the moment, only to deceive men's hopes. None but the Messiah can assure peace to the nations, as nothing but the fellowship of the truth and of justice ca.n disincline the nations to war. 2. The nature of hiB government. It is for "endless weal." It is to resume, in the deepest and best sense, the well-remembered glories of David's kingdom. It is to be supported, not by colllltless battalions(" The Lord delighteth not in the legs of a ma.n "), but by "justice and righteousness henceforth and for ever." Its spread will inclt1de the spread of true religion. Hence it ma.y be confidently expected that the "zeal of Jehovah," the ever-burning energy of Divine love, will bring to pass these happy results. " The great Sh,epherd reigns, And hie unsuffering kingdom yet will come." J. Ver. 7--ch. x. 4.-0racle, concerning Samaria. I. CONOEBNING ITS INFATUATED .PBIDE.(Vere. 8-12.) The word of menace ia to fall liki a heavy weight upon tho OH, IX, 1-21.] 'l'HE BOOK OF THE PROPHET ISAIAH. 173