The Pulpit Commentary — Isaiah — Volume 2 — Section 422

Vers. 8, 9.-The value of security, etc. The principal lesson here is tho inestimable advantage of national independence and consequent individua.l security. But other lessons also stand out from the passage, viz.- I. THE REALITY OF KATIO:>:AL RESPONSIDILITY. It is very clearly implied that Israel had suffered grievously in the past as a nation, because of God's wrath. She had sinned a.ad had been condemned, and she had paid the penalty of suffering from a. cruel and rapacious in ,·a.sion; so tha.t her citizens ate not of the corn they had sown, and drank not of the wine they had planted. God makes nations a.s well as individuals to pay due penalty for their transgressions. Hence we have- n. THE INDIVIDUAL OBLIGATION which this fact entails. It is impossible for any man to sever himself from the community of which he is a member; he is not at liberty to leave the national course, to be decicled by other men, while he gives himself up to more congenia.l labours. No man can divest himself of his responsibilities as e. citizen of his country; every man is bound to exert his influence on behalf of liberty, righteousness, peace, virtue, godliness. Ill. THE VALUE OF SECURITY. If it be uncertain whether men will reap what they sow, if it is probable that strangers will pa.rta.ke of the fruit of men's toil, there will be a. colllltantly and powerfully disturbing force at work. But security will promote: 1. Orrkr and good government. 2. Industry-occupation, enterprise, the useful arts. 3. Benevolence-the origination and growth of philanthropic institutions. 4. Piety- the erection of sacred structures and the establishment of religious organizations. 1. Let the prosperity which is the fruit of security be consecrated by gratitude and benevolence. "Eat and praise the Lord, n bring the wine "into the courts of his holiness." Beware of a selfish and complacent spirit (see Deut. vi. 12), and cultivate carefuBy and devoutly a. spirit of gratitude toward God and kindness toward man. 2. Appreciate at its full worth and give God thanks for the national security which is enjoyed. It is not one of the sma.ller mercies we have received at his hand that we ha.ve no fear o/ being displaad by any "stranger," that we are so secure of the fruits of our toil. This sense of safety and stahility has contributed largely to the resources at our command, and is adding incalculably to the best movements and mea.sures of our time. 3. Rejoice in and bless God for the fact that even though we may not reap all that we sow here, there is a. future in which the workman shall be amply and gloriously rewarded (Ps. cxxvi. 6 ; 1 Cor. xv. 58).-C. Vers. 10-12.-God'a summcns to the ens7aved. Taking the la.ngua:ge of the tenth verse as an energetic address to the captive people of God to "go through " the gates of Babylon, and make their way with all diligence to Zion, the home of freedom and sacred joy, we have- I. A D1vr?sE su.MKONB TO THE ENSLAVED. To the individual soul, that has been brought into some ~piritual bondage, perhaps under the tyranny of some enslaving habit; to the Christian Chwrch, which has allowccl itself to become subject to some outside power other than that of iis Divine Lord; to the betrayed and subjected natiim, 01!. Llm. 1-12.] THE BOOK OF THE PROPHET ISAIAH. 437