v ers. 1-6.-The eai·lie:r and the later redemption. The energetic and gra.phio lan!!uagc of the text applies only in part to that Messianic kingdom to which the prophet makes such frequent reference. It obviously relates, primarily and principally, to the deliverance wrought by Jehovah in favour of his people Israel, and is concerned with the reoressing of their political wrongs. But the expressions used are strongly suggestive of a far greater redemption, in which all the children of men are vitally in tercstcd. We look at- I. THOSE FEATul!ES WHICH OlURACTERIZE THE EARLIBR RATHER THAN THE LATER DELIVERANCE. 1. The employment of the outwardly impressive. "This that is glorious in his apparel, travelling in the greatness of bis strength." Something, if not much, of the stately, the striking, the magnificent, of that which was fitted to awe and overwhelm belonged to the older dispensation - to the theocracy and the divinely permitted monarchv. Under Christ it is not so. He himself "came not with observation" (ostentation); he was a "King that came, meek," devoid of all the shows and trappings of royal state. .A.nd it is his will that his Church should shrink from rather than secure the dignities aud majCl!ties of the earthly kingdoms (Matt. xx. 25-28). 2. The me of violence. "With dyed garments . . . . Their blood shall be sprinkled upon my garments" (vers. 1, 3). Jesus said, and surely still says in respect of all efforts to adrnnce his kingdom," Put up thy sword into the sheath" (John xviii. 11). 3. The manifeslation ,if Divine anger. "The day of vengeance is in mine heart" (ver. 4). Contrast with this, "Goel sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through him might be saved" (John iii. 17; xii. 4 7; Luke ix. 56). IL THE FEATURES wmcH ARE COMMON TO BOTH, but are most strikingly character- istic c,f the later redemprion. 1. The manifestation of Divine power. "Mighty to save." Great as were the deliverances accomplished in Egypt, in the wilderness, in Canaan, in Assyria, these were small and insignificant compared with "the redemption of the world by Christ Jesus," the rescue of a guilty and degenerate race and its reinstatement in the favour and the likeness of God. Hence is by far the noblest exhibition of Divine power. 2. The illustration of Divine fuithfulna,. "I that speak in righteousness." By his interposition God fulfilled his word of promise, and showed himself a covenant- keeping Lord. But in the granting of his "great salvation," and in all the outworkings of it, both collectively and individually, there are more abundant reasons for exclaiming, "God is faithful" (1 Cor. i 9). 3. The completeness of the Divine work. The picture here is, throughout, one of victorious strength. It is the return of a warrior who has thoroughly accomplished his work, by whom his enemies have been utterly subdued. He has "brought down their strength to the earth" (vcr. 6). The work of Christ was perfected. He" fi.11.isbed" the work the Father gave him to do (John xvii. 4; xix. 30). He offered himself "without spot" to God (Heb. x. 14). He bas prepared for mankir.d a "common salvation;" as exquisitely adapted to the most cultured intel- ligence as it is fitted for the most barbarous and savage peoples. He is working out the redemption of the race, and will not rest until humanity has been redeemed and restored. 4. The si11gle-l,andedness of the Divine Conqueror. "I have trodden the wine-press alone" (vers. 3 and 5). '!'bough Go<l did use the instrumentality of bi~ people, it was the presence of his overcoming arm which made all the difference between OH, LXIII. 1-19.) THE BOOK OF THE PROPHET ISAIAH. 451
victory and defeat. And there were occasions when he thought well to dispense with humau ageucy altogether; e.g. the destruction of the Egyptians under Pharaoh, and of the host under Sennacherib. Although the Lord Jesus Christ did not disdain, and does not refuse to employ his disciples in bis cause, yet was there a very deep and real sense in which be WIIS alone in bis redemptive work (see Robertson on' The Loneliness of Christ'). (1) He was of such spiritual stature that none could walk with him. (2) He was engaged in a mission of such deep and lofty character that nune could then enter into bis great design. (3) He came to make a sacrifice of himself in the offering of which none could join. Here are reasons why we, as Christian men and as workers with Christ, should (a) look back with deepest gratiturle; (b) snhmit under dis- appointment with ready acquiescence; (c) anticipate with full assurance the triumph which is in the future.-C.
Vera. 7-9.-The greatness of God's goodness. There is music in the sound and great comfort in the sense of these exquisite words. They speak to us of- I. THE GREATNESS OF Goo's GOODNESS TO us. 1. 1'he bountifuln€ss of his gifts to us. "All that the Lord bath bestowed on us." "The multitude of his loving-kind- nesses." His gifts night and day, in every season, through every stage of life; all material for the body, all stores of knowleclge for the mind, all wealth of affection for the heart. 2. The distinguishing favours he has shown us. His "great goodness toward the house of Israel." Every "house," every family, every man, has some special reason to speak of Divine goodness. 3. The love which prompts hi~ bestowals. All bis kindnesses are" loving-kindnesses," prompted by parental affection, granted in a loving spirit. 4. His kindness toward us in aiftiction (ver. 8). He grants us Divine sympathy-" In all their afflictions;" and tender succour-" he bare them," etc., as the mother carries her sick child, the shepherd the wounded lamb. His hailll may be upon us, but "underneath are the everlasting arms." 5. His grace in redemption. "The angel of his presence," etc. II. OuB WISDOM A.ND DUTY IN VIEW OF IT. "I will mention." Here are two parts: 1. Recalling to our own thought. 2. Reminrling those around us. This is our duty ; for it is the clear will of Christ that we should make known the fulness of his kindness and the riches of his grace. We exist, as his people, that we may be witnesses to the world of all that we have learned of him. '!'his is also our wisdom; for therein is found the one antidote to dissatisfaction, the one unfailing source of grati Lude and joy. III. Goo's EXPECTATION CONCERNING us. (Ver. 8.) As God gave to Israel all the peculiar proofs of his remembrance that they might prove a loyal and faithful people or family, so with us as a Christian Church. He has m:i.nife~ted marvellous love, patience, pity, succour, toward us. And in what expectation? That we should show ourselves loyal to himself and true to our trust; that we should prove ourselves the " people " and "children" of God, by reverence of bearing, by submissiveness of spirit, by integrity of character, by faithfulness in the field of sacred work.-C.