The Pulpit Commentary — Isaiah — Volume 2 — Section 380

hearts, and not your garments.' If the heart be not torn off from sin, to rend only the garment further provokes God, and makes the breach wider. There is no religious duty attains its end, but when it weakens our sin." True fasting draws down, as here seen, the pity and invites the help of the Al.mighty.-J. Vers. 15-21.---Jehovah as Ohampion of the people. I. HE IS THIii INTERESTED SPECTATOR OF HtJldAN AFFAIRS. He" considers in his dwelling-place" (eh. xviii. 4). He" causes his ear to hear "-to judge the fatherless and oppressed, that the man of the earth may no more oppress (Ps. x. 18). He is not like the gods of the Epicureans, "sitting apart, careless of mankind.'' He is a God who can feel pleasure in goodness and the good, displea.sure in the prevalence of wrong and injustice. To doubt it is to doubt of the existence of God himself. II. HE TAXES UPON HIMSELF THE 0AUSE OF THE OPPRESSED. He saw that there was "no man," no champion, and was" stupetied," or in" consternation" (cf. Jer. xiv. 9), that none was at hand to interpose in battle on behalf of his own. He therefore armed himself with sword and bow, with coat of mail and helmet, and the garments of zeal and vengeance. A great world-struggle is coming on, in which he will inflict retribu- tion upon his foes. III. THE REVERENCE OF THE NATIONS FOB HIM. The Gentiles who are spared are imagined as hastening from their distant abodes in tremulous anxiety to meet Jehovah. His Name (cf. Deut. x.xviii. 58; Micah vi. 9; Neh. i. 11; Ps. lxxxvi. 11; cii. 15) shall be universally feared. His advance will be like that of a rushing stream, driven by the might of the wind, and so as a Goel he will come to Zion, and to all the obedient-those that have "turned from rebellion.'' The effect of his coming will be the turning of men fr1>m their sins, and only to such regenerate ones will he come. IV. Hrs COVENANT. He makes solemn promises to men conditional on their com- pliance with his terms. To the repentant his Spirit will be imparted, as a continuous gift. His words, or revelations, shall be in their mouth, therefore in their minds and hearts, for ever-flowing on, a holy stream of tradition, from geueration to generation ( cf. Deut. vii. 9; iv. 37; v. 29; Ps. lxxxix. 24-36 ; Jer. xxxii. 39, 40). The majority of religious people are descendants of those who were the friends of God. A large proportion of American piety bas descended from the Pilgrim Fathers. Barnes says "I am acquainted with the descendants of John Rogers, the first martyr in Queen Mary's reign, of the tenth and eleventh generations. With a single exception, the eldest son in the family has been a clergyman-ilome of them eminently distinguished for learning and piety."-J. Ver. L-The Dimne ability. "Behold, the Lord's hand is not shortened, tbat it cannot save.'' We note here something that awakens surprise. Behold I" Let Israel know where her help lies.. There has been wrong looking, viz. to self. L Goo STILL woBKS IN THE woBLD. It is " his hand." He " formed " us, and he " redeems " us. II. WE MAY MA.KE ll!ISTAKEB OONCEBNlllG JIUMAN HISTORY. His "ho.nd is not shortened.'' It can always reach to every length, and raise from every depth. The future must be, therefore, in ourselves. III. SALVATION IS ALWAYS POBBillLE ON EABTB. 1. In all forms of sin. 2. In all ikgrees of sin. 3. In all depths of distress and despair, human as well as spiritual.- W. M. S. Ver. 2.-.Alienation from God. ••Your iniquities have separated between you and your God." Here is the secret. We can resist God's arm. Until the "iniquities" be confessed, deplored, and forsaken, there can be no salvation. God is ready to forgive; but are we ready to be forgiven? God has provided a Saviour; but it may be true of ns, "Ye will not come to me, that ye might have life.'' Man is not a heart only ; he is a will And here lies our condemnation, not that we are not sometimes ashamed and even sorry, but that we will not repent, return, and believe. L THE TERM GIVEN TO SIN. "Iniquities;" that is," inequities.'' Read the fourth verae, "None calleth for justice;,, and the sixth verse, " The act of violence is in their hand&." Unless we are willing to forgive and love and do justice to our brother, it iB on. LIX. 1-21.] TIIE BOOK OF TlIE PROPHET ISAIAil. 393