The Pulpit Commentary — Isaiah — Volume 2 — Section 298

Ver. 12.-Thefalse accusation. "He was numbered with the transgressors." The fact that be who was the Author of all law and the Judge of all moral agents was him- self classed with transgressors is most suggestive; it calls our attention to the truth- I. THAT A RIGHTEOUS MAN, though he is righteous, MAY BE OllA.BGED WITH WRONG. If Jesus Christ, the Righteous One, was accused of sin, how much more may we, who are only comparatively and imperfectly righteous, be so cbarged I II. THAT A RIGHTEOUS MAN MAY, in virtue of his righteousness, BE ACOUSED OF WRONG. Jesus Christ wa.s char!!ed with blasphemy because he said what he said and acted as he did in pursuance of his great and beneficent mission ; he was accused of fellowship with sin because he was bent on carrying his gospel of grace to the very worst of mankind (Luke xv. 2). In the same way, a good man may lay himself open to the charge of transgression in virtue of his very excellency ; a devout man, because of his devotion, to the charge of pietism or hypocrisy; a zealous man, because of his ardour, to the charge of fanaticism; a courageous man, to the charge of rashness; a trustful man, to the accusation of presumption, etc. III. THAT THE FALSELY ACCUSED HAVE THREE GREAT OONBOLATIONS. 1. The approval oi their own conscience. 2. The knowledge that they take rank with their great Leader, who was himself numbered witb the transgressors, and with all the best of the good in every age and land (Matt. v. 11, 12). 3. The assnrance that they have the commenda- tion and the sympathy of their Divine Lord. Enemies may accuse us; brethren may fail us; notwithstanding, "the Lord stands with us, and strengthens us" (2 'l'im. iv, 16, 17).-C. Ver. 1.-Strange reception of Divim messages. Cheyne translates, "Who believed that which we heard? and the arm of Jehovah, unto whom did it become manifest?" Immediate reference is to the attitude of the people towards Isaiah's assurances or God's restoring mercies, and towards his call to prepare themselves for returning to their own land. Further and fuller reference is to the failure of Messiah to win the general acceptance of the people, to whom he brougbt tbe glad tidings of God's "so great love." Divine mesHages are never widely welcomed. Only tbe/ew are ever found open-hearted, willing to heed when be is pleased to speak. Etlort may be made to recognize the reasons for so strange a fact. They lie in men's moral dispositions, and hindering circumstances or prejudices. The mention of two or three hindrances may suggest a complete analysis of men's motives. I. SoKE KEN ABE SCEPTICAL, Tbeir sphere is the strictly naeural, and they find instant objection to every claim belonging to the supernatural. They are bom doubters, and too often foster and culture their infirmity, as if it were a dignity or a gift. The 1peci.al mist.ake such men make is to demand too much evidence-evidence of unsuitable character, and evidenge BUCh as they may be pleased to think would satisfy them. They en. LUI. 1-12.] THE BOOK OF THE PROPHET ISAIAH. 309