The Pulpit Commentary — Isaiah — Volume 1 — Section 542

II. THE ATTITUDE OP' PRAYER AND TBUBT, "0 Jehove.h, be gracioue unto uel For thee ho.ve we wo.ited.'' It is the o.ttitude of calm =fidena; it is the mood in which things disto.nt o.nd unseen o.re realized. Here the prophet sees what is improbable to the eye of worldly calculation-the downfall of the proudest power of the time. It is not less nn energetic attitude-all the endeavour of the spirit straining after that higheMt point of view, where the confusions of the time fall into the unity of the Divine purpose. It is a seeming wealc, yet really powerful, attitude; the foe trembles when he sees us on our knees. The arm of Jehovah is the symbol of strength, put forth in time of danger, interposing and delivering (cf. Exod. xv. 16; Job xl. 9; Ps. xliv. 3; lxxvii. 15; lxxxix. 21; xcviii. 1). Not only in particular emergencies, but "every morning," i.e. con- stantly and evermore, may that arm be ours to lean upon, and we shall be strong and know no fear. And such is the effect of this act of prayer and contemplation, that already the symptoms of change are heard in the air. There is a confused sound in the distance, as of the roll of many waters ; the people are rushing in flight. Jehovah is seen lifting himself up (cf. Numb. x. 35; Pe. lxviii. 1), and a great rout of the nations ensues; and the conquerors are seen swarming down upon the spoils, as the caterpillars on their food. Ill. THE ATTRIBUTES OF JEHOVAH AS THEY ABE BEVEALED IN PROPHETIC THOUGHT, AS THEY ABE CONFIRMED BY IIISTORIO EVENT. 1. His inviolable strength. He is secure j he is One who dwells in the height (Ps. xcvii. 9). The heavens shall rather fall than he be dethroned, his dynasty over all nations come to an end. 2. His abundant resources of good. A chorus seems here to break forth in his praise. He has filled Zion with spiritual treasures, these being ever united with temporal blessings in the theocracy. Justice and righteousness. The effect of the temporal deliverance will be that men will turn to the Deliverer, and will walk in his ways and according to his laws (cf. eh. xxx. 22, etc.; x.x.xi. 6; xxxii. 15, etc.). Amidst the vicissitudes of these times, the people will have a principle of constancy. There will be" store of salvations" for every time of need in the religious "wisdom and knowledge" diffused among the people. Compare with this the picture of Hezekiah's reign (2 Kings xviii.). In one word, the "treasure" of the nation will be the fear of Jehovah, i.e. true religion-in distinction from successfnl wars or commercial prosperity. Perhaps the love of material treasured on the part of the kings of Judah is indirectly rebuked. The truo wealth of a people, as of an individual, must ever bo the mass of its available wisdom and piety.-J. Vers. 7-12.-The uprising qf Jehovah. I. HIS UPRISING IS A FIGURE OF PROVI- DENTIAL INTERPOSITION. There are times when he serms to be still, seated, and looking on, and the course of ovents to defy his will (eh. xviii. 4). Men cry, "How long, 0 Lord'? Awake, stir thyself up to deliver!" But he knows his own time; he is not a day too soon, nor too late. When the hour of providence has struck, the scene instantly changes. "Now will I rise; now I will lift up myself! " It is not for us to know the times and the seasons. Our part is to tarry, expect, work, and pray. II. GoD UPRIBES WHEN MAN Is 0ABT DOWN. 'l'he condition of the land seems hopeless and despairing. The lion-hearted heroes break down in weeping and lamentation, ruid the messengers, bewailing the hard conditions of peace, keep them company. The scene is Oriental and passionate. The roads are deserted ; the land at the mercy of a perfidious conqueror, who holds his promise in contempt. The land languishing in the wane of the year, and the falling leaves of Bashan and Carmel, seem silently to sympathize with human woe, Yet one word from the Eternal sYffices to change the whole situation: it is a word of supreme contempt for all the machinations of man. Their conceptions are as" hay," their pretensions as" stubble,'' their furious breath as self-devouring fire; and in a great conflagration the people will perish. Worldly passions and worldly might, he that sitteth in the heavens derides; his word abolishes the proud, while it supports the humble.-J. Vere. 13-16.-Living near to God. Jehovah has uprisen; he has revealed his might in the destruction of the Assyrian host ; he calls through the prophet upon all the nations to acknowledge him. I. THE AWFULNESS OF GoD, Wo see it reflected from the horror-struck faces of the ungodly and the profane. He is indeed seen to be a " consuming Fire," having hia IBAIAll' 2 N  546 THE BOOK OF THE PROPHET ISAIAH. [oH, xxxm. 1-24,