The Pulpit Commentary — Isaiah — Volume 2 — Section 479

Ver. 18.-God our Comforter. It is the province of the teacher to instruct of the father to direct, of the elder brother to lead, and of the mother to console. Sh~ is the comforter of the troubled heart. God, as revealed in Jesus Christ, is to us all of these in one. Like a.s a mother comforts her children, he comforts us. I. As TENDERLY AS SHE. In a way so gracious and considerate that one who had received much of his healing ministry could write- " Oh, 'tie a blessed thing for me To need thy tenderness I " II. As UNFA1!-INGLY AS SHE. No child feels that the number of times he (or she) haa come before us 1s any reason for doubting the welcome that he will receive if he comes a.gain. There is a.n inexhaustible supply of sympathy in that pitying heart. III. .As EFFECTUALLY AS SHE. 'l'he true mother knows in what way to comfort whether in silence, or by speech, or by action. God, who knows our hearts as even ~ parent does not, will adapt his comforts to our natures and our necessities.-C. Yer. 16.-" The s"lain of the Lord." While it is doubtful as to what special juncture the prophet refers when he says that " the slain of the Lord shall be many," it is pain- fully and practically certain that a.t all times these slain ones are many. For- I. THE VICTIMS OF SIN ABE THE SLAIN OF THE LORD. The laws which work the penalty they suffer are God's laws. It is under his administration that pa.in, weakness impotence, tronble, sorrow, death, slay guilty souls. These are his sword, and they d~ his work, his" strange work," but yet his. II. 'l'HEIB lHJMBEB IS TEBRIBI,Y LARGE. Who shall count the number of those that have fa.lien, or of those that a.re falling now? In every city, town, village, hamlet, men a.re to be found who, through their folly, or their vice, or their crime, or their ungodliness, are suffering pitifully from the sword of Divine retribution. III. WE MAY BRING THEM INTO THE PRESENCE OF THE DIVINE HEALER. Many of the slain survive. Our mission is to bring these to that merciful and mighty One who can and will" make them whole."-C. Vers. 19-23.-.A t1ision of the future. From these verses, which present us with a glowing vision of future triumph and blessedness, we learn- I. THAT Goo MAY CALL us TO UNWELCOME BUT EXCELLENT SERVICE. The Jews could not have anticipated, nor would they have desired, such a disposition of them- selves, and such a use of their powers as is indicated in the nineteenth verse. It was strange to their thought, a.lien to their sympathy. Yet it was a most admirable service, with which they might well be contented. Thus God often blesses us now with oppor- tunities we do not court, but which prove to be excellent and admirable indeed. Possibly he may deal with us in a. way very similar to that before us. As the perse- cution of the early disciples resulted in their going everywhere, away from home and friends, preaching the gospel (Acts viii. 8), so some providential ordering which is unpleasant a.t the time, removing us from scenes that are inviting or from persons that are dear to us, may place us in conditions of great usefulness and blessing. lL THAT Goo INVITES us ALL TO A NOBLE VICTORY. There had been bitter hatred and bloody strife between Jew and Gentile; ea.eh had sought to triumph over the other on the battle-field; ea.eh longed to have his feet on the other's neck. The peaceful picture of the text (ver. 20) supplies a beautiful and blessed substitute. One is to bring the other, in friendly and honourable conveyance, and to preseut him in holy sacrifice to God. Not to wreak vengeance; not to obtain civil supremacy; but to bring to God's house and to introduce to his service, is to gain the true victory over our brother. IIL 'l'RAT Goo IS EFFECTING .A WONDROUS AND LASTING RENOVATION, He is creating new heavens and a new earth which will endure (ver. 22 and eh. lxv. 17). He will make all things new. This kingdom of sin and foily which ha.a so long prevailed shall disappear, and in its place shall be seen a kingdom of" righteousness, peace, and joy;" a. far greater change, more wonderful, more difficult of a.ccomplishment, more to be desired, than the displacement of the material elements and the substitution of others m their place. This new kingdom is one which will be easffitially Divine. 1. It will cu, LXVI, 1-24.J THE BOOK OF THE PROPHET ISAIAH. 407