CHAP. XXXV. V. 1, 2. This chapter may have some allusion to the prosperity of Judah, in the days of Hezekiah, at the time when Idumea was ravaged; or to the return of the Jews from the Babylonish captivity: but without doubt the kingdom of Christ was the grand subject intended by the Holy Spirit. - When the gospel was embraced by the Gentiles, and very great multitudes of spiritual and holy worshippers of God were raised up among them; "the wilderness and solitary place was glad... and the desert rejoiced, and blossomed as the rose." ( Notes , 32:15–20. 42:10—12. 49: 9-13.55:12,13.) Yet an immense proportion of the earth is still a desert; and neither means
of grace to spiritual wo worshippers, nor fruits
All people on the earth are concerned to draw near and attend to the word of God; as all must be judged according to it. Because of men's wickedness, the indignation of the Lord has been on all nations from the beginning: and the history of mankind is little more, than a dismal account, how God has given them up to be slaughtered by each other, till the earth has become "a field of blood," a great slaughter-house, and burying ground of its inhabitants.
In these awful events the Lord executes his own righteous, wise, and deep decrees: and all, who perish by the sword of his anger, are sacrifices to his justice, and he is glorified in their punishment. In the great vicarious sacrifice of his by his beloved Son, his justice is indeed fully satisfied, and through him he delights and is glorified in shewing mercy.
But "how will they escape who neglect so great salvation?" The day of the Lord's vengeance, and the year of the recompenses of Zion, will come shortly: and imagination cannot reach the horrors of that awful season, to those who shall be found opposing the church of Christ. But if temporal judgments may be rendered so tremendous as thus to baffle description, and confound the powers of imagination itself; what will be the general conflagration, the day of judgment, and the unquenchable fire of hell! There, all the ungodly must for ever be expiating, yet never expiate, the guilt of their sins.
Let us then daily "seek out of the book of the LORD" and read; and compare all, that we there discover, with the conduct of Providence around us; that we may be more fully convinced of these important truths, and be rendered more earnest and diligent in "seeking first the kingdom of God and his righteousness." ousness." What the mouth of the Lord has commanded, his Spirit and providence will perform; he will allot every man his portion among those, with whom he is fit- to encourage their weaker brethren, through ted to associate, and in that place which is successive generations, with the prospect of congenial to his disposition: and they shall all this happy event to all the troubles of the
Peneral conflagra
of holiness, are to be found in it. But when the events predicted in the foregoing chapter shall take place, all these countries likewise shall rejoice "because of them." ( Notes , Rev. 19:1-8.) (-8.) The destruction of the antichristian powers will make way for the most rapid and extensive success of the gospel: the benighted Jews and Israelites will be converted; and the gentile world will then blossom abundantly in every part of it, and be filled with joy, ith joy, and grateful praise to God our Savior.
The The glory and excellency of the most favored and fruitful spots, through all preceding ages, shall be conferred on the most dark and barren regions of the earth: as if the productions of Lebanon, Sharon, and Carmel were transplanted into the parched desert, and made to flourish there. ( Notes , Hos . 14:4-9. Zeph. 3:14-20.) For they "shall see the glory of the Lord, and the excellency of our God," in the face of Jesus Christ; ( Note , 2 Cor . 4:5,6.) and shall learn to fear, love, trust, worship, obey, and imitate him, in righteousness, goodness, and truth. V. 3, 4.
The prophet directs the strong in faith, and especially the pastors and teachers,
8 And 'an highway shall be there, and n 48:8. Ex. 4:11. Job 33:16. Ez. 47:1-11. Zech. 14:8.
Prov. 20:12. Jer. 6:10. Mark 7:32-37. 9:25,26. Luke 7:20 -23.
• Matt. 11:5. 15:30,31. 21:14. John 5:3,9. Acts 3:6-8. 8:7. 14:8-10.
p 32:4. Ps. 51:15. Matt. 9:32, 33. 12:22. 15:30. Mark 7:3237. 9:17-25. Luke 1:64. 11:14. Col. 3:16.
q 41:17,18. 43:19,20. 48:21. 49: 10,11. Ex. 17:6. Num. 20:11. Neh. 9:15. Ps. 46:4. 78:15,16.
John 7:37-39. Rev. 22:1,17. r 29:17. 44:3,4. Matt. 21:43. Luke 13:29. 1 Cor. 6:9-11. s 34:13. Hos. 1:10,11. Acts 26:18. 1 John 5:19,20. Rev. 12:9-12. 18:2, 20:2,3.
a way, and it shall be called, "The way of holiness: the unclean shall not pass over it; but it shall be for those: the wayfaring men, though fools, shall not err therein .
92 No lion shall be there, nor any ravenous beast shall go up thereon, it shall not be found there; but the redeemed shall walk there .
10 And the ransomed of the LORD shall return, and come to Zion with songs, and everlasting joy upon their heads: they shall obtain joy and gladness, dand sorrow and sighing shall flee away.
u Eph. 2:10. 1 Thes. 4:7. 2 z 11:6-9.65:25. Lev. 26:6. Tim. 1:9. Tit. 2:11-14. Heb. Ez. 34:25. Hos. 2:18. Rev. 12:14. 1 Pet. 1:14,15. 2:9,10. 20:1-3. x 52:1,11. 60:21. Ez. 43:12. 44: 9. Joel 3:17. Zech. 14:20,21. 2 Pet. 3:13. Rev. 21:27.
† Or, for he shall be with them. 49:10. Ps. 23:4. Matt. 1:23. Rev. 7:15-17.
y 30:21. Ps. 19:7. 25:8,9. 119: 130. Prov. 4:18. 8:20. Jer. 32:39,40. 50:4,5. John 7:17. 1 John 2:20,27.
a 62:12. Ex. 15:13. Ps. 107:2. Gal. 3:13. Tit. 2:14. 1 Pet. 1:11. Rev. 5:9.
b 51:10. Matt. 20:28. I Tim. 2:6.
c Ps. 84:7. Jer. 31:11-14.33: 11. John 16:22. Rev. 14:1- 4. 15:2-4. 18:20. 19:1-7. d 25:8. 30:19. 60:20.65:19. Rev. 7:9-17. 21:4.
church; that they may not despond on account || knowledge, holiness, and comfort, enjoyed of what they witness or suffer. ( Notes , 40:1- under the gospel-dispensation, and the more 11. 57:14. 62:10-12.) By these animating abundant conversion of sinners which then topics the hands of the weak must be strength- took place, are here predicted. 'According ened for the work, the feeble knees confirmed 'to the allegorical interpretation, they may to run the race, and the fearful hearts fortified 'have a farther view: this part of the prophecy
for the conflict. (Note, Heb . 12:12,13.) For though the Lord would permit his enemies to prevail for a time: yet he would come at length to execute vengeance on them according to their deservings, and to save his afflicted people. This might be applied to the first coming of Christ to "destroy the works of the devil;" to his coming, in his providence, to destroy the unbelieving Jews and establish his kingdom, and from age to age to rescue his persecuted servants; and to his final coming to judge the world: but it seems immediately to
'may run parallel with the former, and relate 'to the future advent of Christ; to the conver'sion of the Jews, and their restitution to their 'land; to the extension and purification of the 'Christian faith, events predicted in scripture, 'as preparatory to it.' Bp . Lowth . The calling of the Gentiles was meant, by the waters and streams breaking forth in the desert: when that dry and parched soil was converted into a well-watered country; and the abode of Satan and his worshippers became productive of the pleasant and valuable fruits of righteousspread the earth, the accomplishment will be unspeakably more remarkable.
predict the events, which constituted the sub-ness. But when these blessings shall over
ject of the foregoing chapter. ( Note , 34:8.) This may be applied to Christ, who is God as 'well as man.' Lowth .
The parched ground . )7( שרב. This word is 'Arabic, as well as Hebrew; expressing in both languages the same thing: the glowing sandy 'plain, which in the hot countries, at a distance has the appearance of water. It occurs in the Koran. ( ch . 24.)
'plain, whic on:
V.5-7. 'The miraculous works wrought 'by our blessed Savior are so clearly specified, 'that we cannot avoid making the application: 'and our Savior himself has moreover plainly plainly 'referred to this very passage. ... Matt. 11:4,5. 'He bids the disciples of John to go, and report 'to their master, the things which they heard 'and saw; that "the blind received their sight, 'the lame walked, and the deaf heard;" and 'leaves it to him to draw the conclusion, in 'answer to his inquiry, whether he who per'formed the very works, which the prophets 'foretold should be performed by the Messiah, 'was not indeed the Messiah himself. And 'where are these works so distinctly marked 'by any of the prophets, as in this place? And 'how could they be marked more distinctly? 'To these the strictly literal interpretation of 'the prophet's words directs us.' Bp. Lowth . -The miracles of our Lord, here literally pre
(ch.24.) 'But as to the unbelievers, 'their works are like a vapor in a plain, which "the thirsty traveller thinketh to be water, until, when he cometh thereto, he findeth it "to be nothing." Bp. Lowth.
V. 8-10. The knowledge of the truth and will of God, and of the way of acceptance and salvation, when made very plain and clear to any people, is like casting up a highway through a country, which was before impassable. (Notes, 11:11—16. 19:23–25. 40:3-5. 57: 14.) The Gentile world was a desert, in this as well as in other respects; no prepared highway to God and heaven was to be there met with, nor even a more obscure and intricate path of life and salvation. This advantage
dicted, were also emblems of the effect pro-began to be generally vouchsafed, when the
duced by the power of his grace upon the souls of men; when the eyes of the mind are enlightened, the ears that were closed by prejudices are opened to instruction, the helpless sinner is invigorated to walk with joy in the ways of God, and his lips sing and speak praises to his name. ( Notes , 29:17-19.30:23-25. 32:3,4. 42:13-17.49:5,6. Matt . 11:2-6. P. O. 1-6. Acts 3:1-11.26:16-18.) The superior
gospel was sent to the nations: yet an im. mense proportion of the earth is still destitute of it. But it may be said of China, Japan, the interior and unexplored regions of Africa, and every other part of the earth, where christ has scarcely been named, that "an highway shall be there." Christ shall be clearly made known; and the way of access and of duty shall be plainly marked out. This authorized
a 2 Kings 18:13. 2 Chr. 32:1. b 1:7,8. 7:17. 8:7,8. 10:28-32. 33:7,3.
way shall be called "the way of holiness," as it leads to a holy God and a holy heaven, and no unclean, or unconverted sinner, passes over
2 And the king of Assyria sent Rabshakeh from Lachish to Jerusalem unto king Hezekiah, with a great army. And he stood by the conduit of the upper pool in the highway of the fuller's field.
3 Then came forth unto him Eliakim, Hilkiah's son, which was over the house,
c 2 Kings 18:17,&c. 2 Chr. 32: | d 7:3. 22:9-11. 9,&c. e 22:15-20.
opened the eyes of the blind, and unstopped the deaf ears, is sufficient to illuminate, humble, and sanctify the most benighted, stout
it: but it is appropriated to those, before-men-hearted, and polluted sinner; to make the fee
tioned, who have experienced the power of the Savior's grace. ( Note , 5-7.) These are "wayfaring men," who really desire to walk in this way: and, though they may some of them be men of weak capacities, unlearned, and apt to mistake, they shall be preserved from missing the road. The words may be rendered, "He himself," (God,) "shall be with them walking in the way; and the foolish shall not err therein." Bp .
Lowth . -No tempter or persecutor can injure those who walk in it: and at the period chiefly predicted, the great enemy of souls shall be chained up, and the persecutors of the church be cut off; so that none of them shall be found there, even to affright the pilgrims. ( Notes , 11:6-9. Ez . 34: 23-31. Hos . 2:18-20.
Rev. 20:1-3.) Then sinners, ransomed by the blood, and rescued by the power, of their Redeemer the Lord of Hosts, shall return, join themselves to the Lord in his holy ordinances, and go on their way abounding in joy and praise; till they arrive at the heavenly Zion, and have for ever done with sorrow and sighing, and be crowned with everlasting joy and felicity. ( Notes , 25:6 -8.30:18-21. 65:17-19. Zeph. 3:14-17. Rev. 19:1-6.)
PRACTICAL OBSERVATIONS.
The blessings of "the gospel, preached with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven," are of all the most valuable, and conduce the most to our unmingled consolation.
While blossoms of heavenly fragrancy are produced in this our land, once a barren desert, may our souls blossom and bring forth fruit abundantly, and rejoice with joy and singing! may the peculiar excellency and glory of believers in every age be communicated to us, by the transforming knowledge of the glory and nd excellency of our God and Savior! ( Note , 2 Cor . 3:17,18.) -Hitherto many real Christians have been weak in faith, and ready to faint amidst their various trials and enemies.
But we should take courage ourselves, and endeavor to encourage one another, in the midst of our tribulations; that the joy of the Lord may give strength to our souls, in our work, race, and warfare. (Note, Neh. 8:10,11.)-Those who trust in the Lord's mercy, and desire to walk in his ways, ought not to "be of a fearful heart;" for he will not cast them off, or suffer their enemies to prevail against them: they should therefore be stron strong and cheerful: and pastors and established Christians should exhort and animate their weaker brethren to be "strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might." Let the enemies of God and his church have terror for their portion, but let his servants rejoice; for the Lord will shortly come to execute vengeance on the one, and to complete the other's salvation.
That power, which once
ble believer victorious, and to comfort the most dejected. Let us then apply to him thus to renew and rejoice our hearts; and let us supplicate him in behalf of our blinded, hardened, and enslaved relatives and neighbors, and for. a world that lieth in wickedness.
May the Lord make bare his holy arm, as when the apostles preached his gospel; that all the desert lands may be replenished with "wells of salvation," and with fruits of righteousness, and favored with highways to God and holiness, cast up, and cleared from every stumblingstone!-As this way of holiness is cast up in our land, may we walk in it, and thus approve ourselves to be the redeemed of the Lord. But no unholy person can find this way however plainly marked out; or however ingenious, learned, or wise he may be in this world.
It is only found by "wayfaring men," who leave the paths of vice and folly, to pursue eternal life and happiness; who seek direction from the word and Spirit of God, and walk by faith in Christ in the paths of holy obedience. These, though esteemed fools by the world, and though they often are of very slender talents, shall be found wise unto eternal salvation. We do not indeed live in those favored days, when no lion or ravenous beast shall be found in the believer's path; yet even at present every lion is chained, and every traveller divinely protected.
Let us then go forward with alacrity, and rejoice in praising our gracious Lord: we shall soon arrive at the heavenly Zion; all our sorrows will flee away, and our everlasting joy and triumph be perfected: for he, who will render his church on earth victorious over every persecutor, will make each believer more than conqueror over every foe, till "death be swallowed up in victory."
NOTES.