The Pulpit Commentary — Isaiah — Volume 2 — Section 144

Vers. 8-7.-Tlui goodness of God to man. The abounding grace of God to the children of men is brought out very strikingly here. It is seen in- • I. THE HIGH PURPOSE FOR WHICH HE CREATES us. "I have created him for my glory." There is no end so lofty in itself and so elevating in its influence for which God could have made mankind as this. It is for this, primarily, that the very highest intelligences in the heavenly spheres have their blling. II. THE PROFOUND INTEREST HE TAKES IN us. "'l'hou wast precious in my sight ... I have loved thee." God regards the children of men (Ps. xxxiii. 18, 14). He attends to their requests, and meets their wants (Ps. cxlv. 15, 11:J). He pities them in their griefs (Ps. ciii. 8). He yearns over them with parental love (see eh. x.xxi. 20; 2 Pet. iii. 9). He disciplines them with parental solicitude (Heb. xii. 6-11). ill. THE HONOUR WHICH HE CONFERS UPON us. " Thou hast been honourable." In Christ Jesus we are honoured in many ways. We are " mllde priests and kings unto God." What ma.oner of honour as well as of love the Father bath shown us, that we should be called the sons of God ; and that we should also be made his heirs, and also "labourers together with him" (1 Cor. iii. 9) ! IV. THE SACilIFIClAL MEAKS HE EMPLOYS ON OUR nEHALll'. "I gave Egypt for thy ransom . . . I will give men for thee." Tha.t which is of immeasurably greater value than gold or silver, than property of any kind-men, human lives, God would give for lffael. For us he bas given tbat which is of far greater account than any nation or any multitude of men-his own well-beloved Son : " God so loved the world," etc. ; "He spared not his own Son ; " "He ga.ve himself" for us. V. Hrs PURPOSE TO GATHER ms CHILDREN TOGETHER to one place of rest and joy (vers. 5, 6).-C. Ver. 10.-The witness of God's servants. "Ye are my witnesses." God summoned his people Israel to bear witness to him; he challenged them to come forward and testify that (1) in the absence of any possible power that could have performed it (ver. 12), (2) he had foretold things which were far in the future; and (8) he had wrought signal and splendid deliverances on their ber,.alf,-he had "saved" as well as declared (ver. 12). '.l'bus they were in a position to maintain that (4) he was the One living God on whom the wise would depend for guidance and redemption (vers. 10, 11). His charge to his Church is similar. God demands that we shall bear witness to him and to his gospel of grace. To this end are we born, a.nd for this cause came we into the world, that we should "bear witness unto the truth." Concerning this testimony, we a.re left in no doubt as to- I. THOSE WHO ABE TO BEAR IT. We know who they are to whom God says," Ye a.re,'' etc. They are those who have themselves returned unto him in true penitence and faith. All others are unsuited by thdr character and their spirit (see Ps. 1. 16; Ii. 12, 13; Rom. ii. 21; eh. Iii. 11). Only they who are in sympathy with God and are liviag in accordance with his holy will are qualified to bear witness to his truth. II. THE SU118TANCE OF THEIR HEBBAGi!:. The first anQ greatest thing which men need to know is the nature and character of God. For it is the relation which they maintain towards him that determines their own character and destiny. Apart from him they are separated from the source of all true blessedness, of all real life. In him and with him they are safe, wise, rich, for evermore. We have, therefore, to testify of him: (1) of his unitv (ver. 10); (2) his holiness; (8) his redeeming love (ver. 11). We have to bear witness (4) to the unique efficacy of his salvation; that there is no Saviour beside him; that there is "no other Name . . . by which we can be savrd." And also (6) to the conditions under which a.Jone this salvation can be secured. Like St. l'aul, ¼ Grel!k  ott. XLm.1-28.] THE BOOK OF '!'HE PROPHET ISAIAH. 149