The Pulpit Commentary — Isaiah — Volume 1 — Section 435

HOMILIES BY VARIOUS AUTHORS. Vers. 1~13.-" 1n that day." We have here a general picture of' the events wh'.ich prec&le the condition of the inauguration of a new erl\. , . , • . '" I. THE FIGHT WITH THli: MONSTER OR MONSTERS. We cannot enter into the subject of this symbolism, in reference to which, in the absence of definite information so much of Janciful interpret:ttion _has gathered. We cannot refer the serpent or the d;agon to the ~torm-cloud, or hghtmng, as some have done; nor historically to Eaypt and .Assyria. Something much deeper seems to be meant, as in the legends of the ~ombat of .Apollo, ~he gr~test god of the Greeks, with the Python at Delphi. 'fhe dragon is symbolic, m ancient thought generally, of the power of death, of the under-world. into which humanity in its sinfulness and weakness is prone to fall. Jehovah will o;ercotne this 1iendish power : such srems t-0 be the meaning of the prophecy, II. RESTORATION OF lsRAEL TO FAVOUR. Here the prophecy passes into sting., The Church appears under the favourite irn3<,a-e of the vineyard. Jehovah is its Keeper, who· waters and watches it by night and by day. His feelings are those of pure love, and his wrath is reserved for those who would injure the sacred enclosure. We're such· t-horns and thistles before him, he would eet them ·on fire.' These are figures of the enemies of the Church (see 2 Sam. x.xiii. 6, 7). Yet if ever these yield thCernsclves, they may find mercy. ".A truly evangelical belief that God is willing to-¥ Mcoaciled, even to his enemies. Its presence has given the prophecy a spiritual· supe_riori'ty over' the other prophetic descriptions of the judgment upon the hostile nations; e.g. eh: lxvt· l 6. Even according ·to eh. xix. 22, Egypt must be first smitten in order that _,it may' be healed " (Cheyne). .As the proverb' says, " The Name of the Lqrd is a' strong,. tower: the righteous runr!eth into it, and is safe" (Prov. xviii. 10). ·!:lo here· the meaning is, " Let the llilrighteous man take sanctuary with J.ehcivah,. mid beeoine by' penitence and obedience e. servant of his." And the elect natioti wi1Ji tak'e'·root,:·and throw its sheltering foliage over the nations_;_e,_ tree of healing 1(Rev.' ·xxiL '2) ;''and the blessings of salvation shall be diffused over the world (cf. eh. x~xvii, 31; Hos; xiv;· G). The union of Jew e.nd Gentile seems foreshadowed, and the removal of the dis-· tinction between them. Salvation. was of them and for the world (John iv, 22; Eph. ii. 14). • • • •• • • III. Tm: MITIGATION OF Drvnra CHASTISEMENTS. The· punishment ·of the peo}:>l1i· has not been so severe -as ·that of tbeir enemies. Therifwas: e.nd 'ever is •~measure'' in the e.fflictions of God; they do not exceed the bounds o(justice nor the limits of man's enduring power. "He never smites with both'· hands;"· he·-sift~;but •does not destroy. (For the threshing-floor, cf. eh. xxi. 1-0.) He was wroth, but· ncit without love; has banished, but not put an end .to, his people. :And now, as ever, he would "reason together" with them, and proclaim the terms upon which he·will mercifully accept their repentance e.s.e.n atonement for guilt. They must destroy the einblems of idolatry, and put an utter end to it; and thus, purged from its filth; be. prepared for salvation. Punishment will cease when sin ceases, but not before. .And when the sin is honestly put away, it may ever be said to the sinner," Do as the heaven&·have done, forget your evil; with them, forgive yourself." • ·; IV. THE FATE OF THE wonLD's METROPOLIS. · For it seems better so:to.·U'Dderiltand the allusion than to Jerusalem. Its fortifications will be razed, its ·pclpilJation •be dismissed, e.nd the cattle will browse upon the deserted scene. In contrast :to' the magnificent parks and gardens of the great cities; there will be but stil.trte4: busheo, affording firewood to the poor women who oome to plek it up (Cheyne) .. Others, ·h<;>w- ever, understand the prophecy to refer to Jerusalem itseff. 'l'he' reason a~signed for the doom is ignorance, as so often in Scripture--+ilty ignorance. li.B· the "begin- ning of wisdom" is not prudence, policy, science, or philosophy, but the "fear of God," bO_ irr~vereuce an<l contempt of Div\ne_ laws, leading to sensuality e.nd vice, are identii:al with ignorance and folly. "Sltch ignorance does not excuse ·men or lessen the g11115' Oli, ilrVu. 1-18.J 'l'BE; 1i00.K ·OF THE PROPIIll!T ISAIAH. 139