The Pulpit Commentary — Isaiah — Volume 2 — Section 482

Ver. 12.-" Peace lilce a river." "BeliolJ, I will extend peace to her like a river." 'l'he prophet used the image of a river by intention, and in contrast with the figure of the sea. In ancient times, and Ea~tcrn lands, the sea was a terrible thing; so the prophet figur~s the wicked as like tbe "troubled sea, whose waters cast up mire anrl dirt." Tue sea is restless, is storm-tost, is a devourer. In ancient times there seemed to be no music in her ripple, her wave-swell, or the bass of her ceaseless moan. We feel quite rlifferently, because for us the sea is almost conquered. It is a servant whom we may employ, and not a vague mysterious god whose trident we must fear. 'l'ho state of mind and heart, the conditions of relation and circumstances, for those who know the redemption of God in Christ Jesus, will not go into any figures taken from the sea. Their peace is like a river, How does a river differ from a sea? We note that their peace is like a river; it is- I. SUPPLIED FROM EXHAUSTLESS FOUNTAINS. The peace and joy of the worldly and the wicked can only be likened to the "crackling of thorns under a pot," very noisy, very short-lived. At the back of the good man's peace is the " God of all peace;" and "when he speaks peace, who shall make trouble?" Christ's peace is given to us. "My peace I give unto you." It- II. FLOWS ON THROUGH A. WHOLE LIFE. You cannot stop the rivers. Dam them up a little while, and they are sure to gather, and flood the land until they can find the stream again and flow on. So the cares and sorrows of life may seem to stop the good man's peace. But it cannot be; over and under and round the Divine waters will flow, find their way back to their channel, and flow on again. It- III. HEFRESHEB A.ND BLESSES ALL THE LAND THROUGH WHICH IT FLOWS, The bordering fields are rich with grass and flowers; the trees drink up its moisture, and hold out great leaf-clad branches, and the "little hills rejoice on every side." So the goon. man, the man of peace, the peace-lover, and the peace-maker, sweetens, soothes, sanctifies, all the society in which he takes his place. Re makes a reviving, delightful atmosphere wherever he may be. We rejoice in him, even as thirsty lands rejoice in the sweet pure river, that day and night flows on unceasingly, past bank and brae. -R.T. Ver. 14.-The Lorrl's indignation; or, the Divine goodness and severity. "The han,l of the Lord shall be known towards his servants, and his indignation towaru nis enemies." Here two sides of the Divine nature are declared, which we find it difficult to conceive as harmonious in one person. It is not only true that God is gracious toward his people, and angry with the wicked; it is also true that in dealing with his people he is both gracious and severe. I. IN THF. Goo OF REVELATION WE FIND BOTH MERCY AND INDIGNATION. Natura blends rains rrnd storms, sunshine and hurricanes, spring breath and volcanoes. The revelation to the Jews provides illustration. 1. See the early traditions of the world ])reserved by the Jews-Eden-the Flood-Sodom. 2. See the story of the great Patriarchs of Jacob, of the Israelite8 in the wilderness. 3. See the records of the Jews as a nation. Raised to heaven with privileges, crushed into the deep with judgments. 4. See the condition of the Jewish nation, as now scattered over the earth. Every scattered, landless, homeless Jew, against whom the world's byword is cast, is set forth before men to plead with them and say, "Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God." 6, ::lee the last revelation made to men in Christ Jesus. (1) Note how the Messiah was described beforehand in prophecy (eh. !xiii. 3, 4). (2) Note the ~xclamations of those who saw the babe Me8Siah. (3) Note the outbursts of righteous indignation during the ministry of Christ. (4) Note some sentences used in his public teaching (Matt. xxv.). The following wordR were characteristic of Christ's teachings: "everlasting puniHhment;" 11 destruction ; " "death; n "fire;" "worm that never dies;" "gnashing of teeth;" "thirst;» "torment;" "outer darkness." (5) Note the apostolic doctrine of Christ. In it there is a place for the II wrath of the Lamb." II. lli THE GoD OF OUR APPREHENSION WE FIND BOTH MERCY AND INDIGNATION, 1. Give the testimony of man's reason. It recognizes that the good man will be sure !o blaze into indignation at wrong-doing. 2. Give the testimony of man's/ear. What 1s man afraid of if he has no notion of God as able to, and bound to, punish trnn~~res- sors? Men do not tremble before a God who is all mere1J. We fear the God of 500 THE BOOK OF THE PROPHET ISAIA.H. [oH, LXVI, 1-24.