The Pulpit Commentary — Isaiah — Volume 2 — Section 323

xiii. 28; Pa. oiv. 16). The blessings of salvation cheer men amidst their sorrows; a.nd one of the firstfruits of the Spirit is joy. Milk, again, is the symbol of nourishment (Deut. :u:xii. 14; Judg. iv. 1; v. 25; John vii. 22; 1 Cor. ix. 7). It is joined with "wine" and with ''honey" in Cant. iv. 11; v.1. These blessings are rich and sati.<Jying as compared with the pleasures of the world. The latter ma.y be emphatically described as not-bread--less satisfying. Happiness is our being's a.im. But men seek it In erroneous ways. Bread is the support of life, a.nd stands a.s the symbol of all tha.t conduces to support life in the spiritual sense. "In ambition, vanity, and vice, men are a.s disappointed as he who should spend his money and procure nothing that would sustain life." Men toil for tha.t which defeats their aim, because it does not satisfy. The blossom of pleasure "goes up as dust;" the fruits are those of the Dea.cl Sea., "turning to ashes on the lips." The desire of the human soul i3 as insatiable as the grave. Where is the man who has been satisfied with ambition? Alexander wept on the throne of the world, and Charles V. came down from the throne to private life, because he had not found royalty to satisfy the soul. In one respect we are all like Alexander-our happiness is disproportioned to our appetites. Nature seems scanty, and, though we have never so much, we still long for something or other more. But to those who hearken to God, there is promised a perfect luxuriation (eh. !xvi. 11) in good things. "Fatness" stands for the richest food (Gen. xxvii. 28-39; Job xxxvi. 16; Ps. I.xv, 11), and hence for the abundance of blessing flowing from the favour of God (Ps. xxxvi. 9 ; I.xiii. 6). " Man seems a.s boundless in his desires as God in his Being: and therefore nothing but God can satisfy him." All else is "love lost" -is part of " the great lie or cheat that overspreads the world." III. THE EVERLASTING COVENANT. Mention of it is ma.de seven times in Isaiah. The idea of the original covenant, broken by Israel and renewed by Jehovah, is specially characteristic of Jeremiah (xxxi. 31-33; x.xxii. 40; I. 5). The loving-kindnesses shown to David by Jehovah are meant (cf. ch. lxiii. 7; Ps. lxxxix. 49; cvii. 43; Lam. iii. 22). "David is probably to be understood in a representative sense; he is radiant with the reflected light and spirituality of the Messianic age." These loving-kindnesses are " unfailing" (Ps. lxxxix. 28). For J ehovah's word cannot be broken, and the reward of piety extends to the latest posterity (Exod. x.x. 5, 6). David is termed a "witness to the people," apparently in the same representative sense. God, then, binds himself by solemn promises to be their God, their Protector, a.nd their Friend. The promise was not to be revoked, was to remain in force for ever; and he would be their God to all eternity. Let them, then, hear, and their soul shall live. Religion is life (John vi. 33; v. 40; viii. 13; :u:. 31; Rom. v. 17, 18; vi. 4; viii. 6; 1 John v. 12; Rev. ii. 7-10). Hearing ill the means whereby the so-ul is enlivened (John vi. 45; v. 25; Acts ii. 37; Matt. xiii.).-J. Vere. 6-13.-Exhortations and assurance. I. EXHORTATIONS. "Seek ye Jehovah." This is the beginning of a religious life-to seek for God, to inquire for his ways (Deut. iv. 29; Job v. 8; viii. 5; Ps. ix. 10; xiv. 2; xxvii. 8). "While he may be found" (Ps. xxxii. 6)-" in a time of finding." For a bitter "dl\y" will come, when woe to his foes (eh. !xv. 6, 7) I It is hinted that a time will como when the offer will be withdrawn. "If a man will not do so simple a thing ns seelc for mercy, as ask for pardon, he ought to perish. The universe will approve the condemnation of such a ma.n." " Who knows what a day may bring forth, and wha.t may be the dangers of an hour's delay? This is most sure, that every particular repeated act of sin sets us one advance nearer to hell. Who can tell, while we go on our audacious course of sin, but God may swoar in his wrath against us, and register our names in the black rolls of damnation? And then our condition is sealed and determined for ever." "Call upon him;" i.e. implore hie mercy (Joel ii. 32; Rom. x. 13). How easy the terms of salvation I how just the condemnation of the sinner who calls not on God, first for p.~rdon, then for a share in the promises (Jer. :u:ix. 12-14) I God (according to the manner of man's thoughts) 861311111 to be nearer at some times than at others to men. Some special influences are brought to bear; some facilities of salvation. " He oomes near to us in the preaching of his Word, when it is borne home with power to the conscience; in his providence, when he strikes down a friend, and comes into the very circle where we move, or the very dwelling where we abide; when he lays hill hand upon us in sick.  334 THE BOOK OF THE PROPHET ISAIAH. [ea. LV. 1-13.