CHAP. LII.
A call to the captive church to assert her liberty, accompanied with promises of deliverance, 1-6. The joy occasioned by the Gospel; and the knowledge, peace, and purity of the Christian church; with suitable exhortations, 7-12. The humiliation and exaltation of Christ, and the success of his cause, 13-15.
A WAKE, awake, put on
thy strength, put on thy beautiful gar
a See on 51:9,17. Dan. 10:9,16 | Rom. 3:22. 13:14. Eph. 4:24. -19. Hag. 2:4. Eph. 6:10. Rev. 19:8,14. b See on 61:3,10.- Luke 15:22.
God, that the Gospel of Christ has come, and does rest, among us for the light of our souls; "his righteousness is brought nigh, his salvation is gone forth" in the midst of us; he is revealed as our Lawgiver and Judge, and he is become the Righteousness and Salvation of those who trust iu him and wait for him. Let
ments, O Jerusalem, the holy city: for henceforth d there shall no more come into thee the uncircumcised and the unclean.
2 Shake thyself from the dust; arise, and sit down, O Jerusalem: loose thyself
с 1:21,26. 48:2. Neh. 11:1. Jer. | e 3:26. 51:23. Jer. 51:6,45,50 31.23. Zech, 14:20,21. Matt. Zech. 2:6,7. Rev. 18:4. 4:5. Rev. 21:2.
d 26:2.35:8. 60:21. Ez. 44:9. Nah. 1:15. Rev. 21:27.
f 49:21. 51:14.61:1. Luke 4:18 21:24.
forth the heavens, and laid the foundations of the earth:" and we are very reprehensible, if we be " solicitous continually every day," because of the prevalence of infidelity and impiety as if the enemies of godliness were ready to complete its ruin. The case is far otherwise: they are compassing their own perdition, and ere
us then rely on his merits, his grace, and pow-long their place shall know them no more. Let
er, and receive the law from his hands, as the rule of our obedience: and thus we shall be safe and happy, when the earth and all its works shall be burnt up; for "his salvation shall be for ever, and his righteousness shall not be abolished." But if we would expect that solemn season with comfort, and have confidence in death and judgment; we must press forwards in the ways of God, that, having his "law in our hearts," we may know our interest in his righteousness.
Then we need fear no enemy or catastrophe: our reverential fear of God, and our holy dr dread and abhorrence of sin, will arm us against the ensnaring fear of man: and it is our infirmity and fault, if we fear the revilings or rage of any man or set of men, who despise and hate us for the sake of Christ and his righteousness; seeing he is our ever-present and all-sufficient Protector. We can indeed expect no other than reproach in this wicked world: but our persecutors will soon die and perish.
Should we be cut off by their rage, or die before them, we shall soon be out of their reach: and if we be spared, they will soon lose their power of molesting us.The cause of Christ survives one generation of opposers after another: and the believer will survive all his revilers, and enjoy his portion whilst they are in "outer darkness." Let us then strive against our fears, and give up ourselves unto prayer: and let us take courage in reviewing the wonders which God performed for his church of old.
V. 9-23.
Christians may not only plead with God, that he divided the Red sea, and destroyed the Egyptians to deliver Israel: but may advert to the more glorious triumphs of his grace, at the day of Pentecost, and afterwards in the conversion of unnumbered multitudes to Him, whom they just before had crucified, and who, being risen again and ascended into heaven, poured out his Spirit to work the astonishing change. Compared with those glorious days, "the Arm of the LORD" seems now to sleep; but he only waits to be awakened by our fervent prayers.
He will yet "put on strength as in ancient days;" he will destroy the power of Antichrist, and bind up the old dragon, who has hitherto deceived the nations. Then "the redeemed of the LORD" shall be delivered from captivity, Zion shall resound with songs of praise, and the gladness of believers on earth shall form a sweet antepast to the everlasting joy of heaven. Our lot indeed is not cast in that happy period; yet the Lord is our Comforter, if true Christians: and should we then think ourselves so defenceless, as to fear a man that shall die!
Surely this must arise from our unbelief, and forgetfulness of "the LORD our Maker, who hath stretched
us then make haste to escape the confines of sin, and to return from our state of distance and banishment from: God: but let us wait patiently our time of deliverance from oppression and calamities, assured that the Lord will hasten it in due season.
If we be saved by Jesus from the pit of hell, he will not let us perish in any other pit; and if we have learned to feed upon "the Bread of life," our bread even for this life cannot fail: our bondage and exile on earth will soon end; our souls will be rescued from the prison of our sinful bodies; and our bodies at length redeemed from the bondage of corruption, and "so shall we be ever with the Lord." Let us then rest our souls on his word; that, having been "planted as trees of righteousness" in his courts below, we shall at length be transplanted to heaven, there to flourish for ever in that garden of the Lord. ( Note , Ps . 92:13-15.) Nor should they despair, who have here drunk the deepest of "the cup of the Lord's indignation:" for his severest judgments often introduce his tenderest compassions.
Yet, as long as men are hardened, stupified, or rendered outrageous and desperate, by afflictions, there is little appearance of a happy event.--When the wrath of God rests upon transgressors, no children or friends can comfort them; and all their efforts to extricate themselves, involve them in deeper guilt and misery. Let sinners then remember these things, and learn by their present sufferings to submit to God, to confess their crimes, to acknowledge his justice, and to seek his mercy. Let us all recollect, that our rebellious murmurs tend only to increase and prolong our sorrows.
Let us lock on the poor Jews with compassion, and endeavor to administer to their comfort, and not add to their miseries; and above all, let us seek and pray for their conversion. And let those powerful tyrants, who lord it over that people, or any others of the human race; who enslave their bodies, or usurp authority over their consciences, remember, that the Lord will plead their cause, and punish their impenitent oppressors, with greater misery and contempt, either in this world, or in that which is to come.
NOTES.
CHAP. LII. V. 1. The latter part of the preceding chapter describes the desolations of Jerusalem by the Romans, and the miseries of the Jews to this day; more exactly than either those inflicted by the Chaldeans, or those which they endured under Antiochus Epiphanes, which were of short duration: and this chapter is evidently a continuation of the subject. There can therefore be no good reason to restrict the interpretation to the deliverance of the Jews from Babylon.--The sacred writer indeed treats
В. С. 706.
from the bands of thy neck, O captiveaway for nought? They that rule over daughter of Zion. them make them to howl, saith the LORD; 3 For thus saith the LORD, & Ye have and my name continually every day is sold yourselves for nought; and ye shall be blasphemed. redeemed without money.
4 For thus saith the Lord GOD, My people went down aforetime into Egypt to sojourn there; and the Assyrian oppressed them, without cause.
5 Now therefore
saith the Lord, that
what have I here, my people is taken
g 45:13.50:1. Ps. 44:12. Jer. k Job 2:3. Ps. 25:3.69:4. John 15:13. 1 Pet. 1:18.
h Gen. 46:6. Acts 7:14,15.
14:25. 36: 37: Jer. 50:17.
15:25.
1 22:16. Judg. 18:3. m 3. Ps. 44:12.
his subject as a prophet and a poet, and not as an orator or historian: yet some degree of method, and some order in the series of his predictions, may be expected, as well in his writings, as in those of the other prophets.
He had spoken of the deliverance of Jerusalem from Sennacherib; and then of the return of the Jews from Babylon: intermingling predictions of more spiritual and generally interesting teresting events. even But nothing can be supposed more interesting than the future restoration of Israel to the church and to their own land: no event is more evidently predicted in scripture: and the Jews generally expect the termination of their present miseries; though they they think that it will be effected by the advent of the Messiah, whom they suppose not yet come.
This restoration is far more intimately connected with those things, which relate to the person and work of Christ, than the deliverance from Babylon was: and it is so agreeable to the context, that I apprehend it ought not to be overlooked in explaining this passage. The church had called upon her Redeemer, "as the Arm of the LORD," to "awake and put on strength" for her deliverance: ( Note , 51:9-11.) here she is called upon to awake, and to "be strong ng in the Lord," that she may apprehend that liberty, which was preparing for her.
She is represented as a sorrowful woman, and called Zion, "Jerusalem, the holy city:" but she is exhorted to put on her beautiful garments as a rejoicing bride; being assured that the uncircumcised and unclean should no more enter into her, as the Chaldeans had done. ( Notes , 1:25-27. 60: 1-3,15-22. Ez. 48:30-35, v. 35. Zech. 14:20, 21. Rev. 21:22-27.) But with what propriety could this be addressed to Jerusalem after the captivity?
Antiochus Epiphanes soon profaned the city and temple, by every method which his impious cruelty could devise: after that event, Pompey the Roman general took possession of the city, and committed many profanations, and even entered into the holy of holies: and at length the city and whole nation, as unclean, were given up into the hands of the uncircumcised Romans, to be utterly profaned and desolated. (Note, Dan . 9:25-27, v. 27.)--The New Testament church therefore must chiefly be intended, and probably with especial reference to its last and purest ages: for there are clear predictions given, that after the termination of the antichristian tyranny, the restoration of the Jews, and the bringing in of the fulness of the Gentiles; the church shall continue in permanent peace and purity, till the eve of the general judgment: then indeed some apostacies will take place, and the apostate nations shall make war upon the city of God; but they shall fail of success, and perish in the attempt. (Notes, Rev. 20:1-10.)
VOL. IV
6 Therefore my people shall know my name: therefore they shall know in that day that I am he that doth speak: behold, it is I.
[Practical Observations.]
7 How beautiful upon the mountains
n 47:6. 51:20,23. Ex. 1:13-16. 2:23,24. 3:7. Ps. 137:1,2. Jer. 50:17. Lam. 1:21. 2:3, 5:13- 15. Zeph. 1:10. o 37:6,23.
Ps. 44:16. 74:10,18, 22,23. Ez. 20:9,14. 36:20-23. Rom. 2:24.
p Ex. 33:19. 34:5-7. Ps. 48:10,
11. Ez. 20:44. 37:13,14. 39:27 -29. Zech. 10:9-12. Heb 8:10,11.
q 42:9. Num. 23:19. Heb. 6 14-18.
r 40:9.61:1-3. Nah. 1:15. Luke 2:10. Rom. 10:12-15.
V. 2, 3. Jerusalem, or Zion, is here represented as a captive in chains, trampled in the dust; (51:23.) but she is called upon to arise and shake herself from her dust, to sit down as a queen upon a throne, and to divest herself of all the badges of her former servitude.
The Jews indeed had been sold into bondage for those sins, which could in no sense profit them, and they might be said to have "sold themselves," or "to have been sold for nought;" ( Note , 50:1-3.) and all the calamities of the Christian church have been righteous visitations for her sins: but the Lord was about to redeem them by his power, without paying their oppressors any ransom for them.
Cyrus extorted the power over the Jews from their oppressors, and then freely liberated them: and this may perhaps be an exact prefiguration of the future deliverance of the church and restoration of Israel. The price paid by our Redeemer for our salvation, was "not silver, or gold, or precious blood." (Notes, 45:13,14. 1 Pet . 1:17 corruptible things, but his own -21.)
'lofty seat." When sitting is spoken of' (in the Arise, and sit down , &c. (2) "Ascend thy east) 'as a posture of more than ordinary state, 'it.. means sitting on high, on a chair of state, or throne; for which a footstool was necessa'ry.... Chairs,' (saith Sir John Chardin,) 'are 'never used in Persia, but at the coronation of their kings. The king is seated in a chair of 'gold set with jewels, three feet high.... This 'proves the propriety of the style in scripture, 'which always joins the footstool to the throne. 66:1. 2 Chr . 9:18. Ps . 110:1.' Bp. Lorth.
V. 4-6. The Egyptians ungratefully and unjustly enslaved the Israelites, when they went down to sojourn among them; and the Assyrians and Chaldeans afterwards grievously oppressed them without any provocation; but the Lord pleaded their cause and rescued them: ( Notes , 47:6. 51:21--23.) and thus he will save his church from all unrighteous persecutors; and avenge Israel on all those who oppress them. He did not authorize these cruelties; nor had he any profit from their sufferings.
Those, who from age to age ruled over his people, have made them to howl by their cruel oppressions, and have then insulted them, and blasphemed the name of their God, as if he could not deliver them. ( Notes , 48:9-11.) Therefore his own glory required him to interpose; and he would let his people know his power, truth, and love; and that He, even JEHOVAH himself, had spoken all these predictions, (of which under their anguish of spirit they had been led to doubt,) and was ready to perform them.-Perhaps some intimation is here given, that the Jews shall in the day of their restoration know, that he, who spake to
[185
are the feet of him that bringeth good the ends of the earth shall see the salvation tidings, that publisheth peace; that bring- of our God. eth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth.
8 Thy watchmen shall lift up the voice; with the voice together shall they sing: for they shall see eye to eye, when the LORD shall bring again Zion.
9 Break forth into joy, sing together, bye waste places of Jerusalem: for the LORD hath comforted his people, he hath redeemed Jerusalem.
10 The LORD hath made bare his holy arm in the eyes of all the nations; and dall
8. Ps. 63:11. Mark 13:10. 16:15. Luke 24:47. Acts 10:35-38. Rev. 14:6.
1 24:23. 33:22. Ps. 59;13. 93: 1. 36:10. 97:1.99:1. Mic. 4:7. Zech. 9:9. Matt. 25:34. 28:18. Rev. 11:15.
u 56:10. 62:6. Cant. 3:3.5:7. Jer. 6:17. 31:6,7. Ez. 3:17. 33: 7. Heb. 13:17,
24:14. 40:9.58:1.
y 12:4-6. 26:1. 27:2. 35:10. 48: 20. Jer. 33:11. Acts 2:46,47. Rev. 5:8-10.18:20. 19:4.
z 30:26. Jer. 32:39. Zeph. 3:9. Zech. 12:8. Acts 2:1. 4:32. 1 Cor 1:10. Eph. 1:17,18.
a 14:7. 42:10,11. 44:23. 48:20. 49:13.54:1-3.55:12.65:18,19. 66:10-13. Ps. 96:11,12. Zeph. 3:14,15. Gal. 4:27.
b 44:26. 51:3. 61:4.
с 51:9. 66:18,19. Ps. 98:1-3. Acts 2:5-11. Rev. 11:15-17.
15:4.
them as their Messiah, and whom they despised and crucified, was indeed their God and King. ( Notes , Zech . 12:9-14. Matt . 23:37-39.) V. 7, 8. ( Note , Nah . 1:15.) The proclamation of Cyrus circulated by messengers into every place, and notified by signals, and by the voice of the watchmen, on the tops of the mountains, was but a feeble emblem of that grand event, to which the apostle appropriates this passage; namely, the preaching of the gospel to the nations of the earth.
When men know their own real character and situation, and that of the world around them, in respect of God and eternity, "the feet" of those who bring these good tidings, appear beautiful; that is, the meanest of them : it may also intimate their holy walk and conversation. ( Note , Rom . 10:12-17, ข . 15.) They announce the glad tidings from heaven of pardon, peace, and salvation; and "say to Zion, Thy God reigneth." ( Notes , 40:6 -8. Luke 2:8--14.) He rules the world with invincible power, who is Zion's God and Savior.
The watchmen may be the same, as the messengers of glad tidings; evangelists, or such as wait to receive and circulate the joyful sound. Whilst they cry aloud, that all may hear, they join glad hallelujahs hallelujahs with their invitations: and the divine light then shines so lear, that they "see eye to eye," with open face, as of one mind and judgment, and very distinctly. ( Notes , Jer. 32:39-41. Acts 4:32-35, ν . 32.
Phil . 2:1-4.)-I apprehend this is not to be restricted to any particular period; but is a general declaration of the means, by which all the predicted events, as far as they relate to spiritual redemption, are to be accomplished. In proportion as the faithful preaching of the gospel is vouchsafed, true religion will be diffused and flourish.--'The 'ideas are in their full extent evangelical: 'and accordingly St. Paul has, with the utmost 'propriety, applied this passage to the preach'ing of the gospel, Rom . 10:15.
The joyful 'tidings here to be proclaimed, "Thy God, O 'Zion reigneth," are the same that John the 'Baptist, the messenger of Christ, and that Christ himself published. "The kingdom of
11 Depart ye, depart ye, go ye out from thence, touch no unclean thing ; go ye out of the midst of her; be ye clean that bear the vessels of the Lord.
12 Forh ye shall not go out with haste, nor go by flight: for the Lord will go before you; and the God of Israel will * be your rear-ward.
13 Behold, my servant shall deal prudently, he shall be exalted and extolled, and be very high.
14 As many were astonished at thee; • (his visage was so marred more than any
'heaven is at hand."' Bp . Lowth . (Note, Matt . 3:2.)
Thy God reigneth. (7) Notes, Ps . 93:1,2. 97: 1.99:1-3.-- Watchmen . (8) Notes, 56:9-12. Ez . 3:17-19.-Shall bring again Zion.] "When Jehovah returneth to Zion."... God 'is considered, as having deserted his people 'during the captivity, and at the Restoration, 'as returning himself with them to Zion, his 'former habitation. 40:9. Ps . 60:1.' Bp . Lowth . V. 9, 10. The incorporation of the Gentile converts with the believing Jews, in the primitive times of Christianity, replenished the waste places of Jerusalem, and caused great joy to all the faithful servants of God.
Thus "the LORD made bare his holy arm, in the eyes of all the nations," to subject the worshippers of idols to himself: but when the whole visible church shall be full of true religion, the emphasis of this passage will be more completely answered, and this will make way literally, for " all the ends of the earth to see the salvation of our God." ( Notes , 49:5,6. Ps . 22:27-31.98: 2,3. Luke 3:4--6. Rev. 11:15--18.)
V. 11, 12. Here the return of the Jews from Babylon is alluded to; but greater things are evidently prefigured. When leave was given them to return, the Lord with emphatical repetitions commanded their departure; parture; and that no attachment to any object, in that unclean and devoted city, should detain them. ( Notes , 48:20--22. Jer. 50:7,8. 51:6. Lam. 4:13-16.
Zech . 2:6-9.) And those, who carried back the sacred vessels, were required to be peculiarly careful not to contract ritual or moral uncleanness. ( Ezra 8:24-30.) They ought not by any means needlessly to delay their departure; yet neither should they improperly hasten it, as if they were fleeing from their enemies: ( Notes , 28:16.
Ex . 12:39.) for they would have full liberty to return home, and the Lord would guide and protect them on every side: through the whole journey he would both march, as it were, in the front of them, and also gather and protect those, who formed the rear of the company.--St. Paul applies part of this to the separation of sinners from idolatry,
other man, and his form more than theff the kings shall shut their mouths at him: sons of men;)
15 So shall he sprinkle many nations;
p Nam. 8:7. Ez. 36:25. Matt. Heb. 9:13,14. 10:22. 11:28. 12: 28:19. Acts 2:33. Tit. 3 5,6.24. 1 Pet. 1:2.
and all worldly connexions or attachments: (Note, 2 Cor . 6:14-18.) and a similar command and caution are given to believers, to come out from the New Testament-Babylon. ( Note , Rev. 18:4-8.)
V. 13--15. These verses introduce another
for that which had not been told them shall they see; and that which they had not heard shall they consider.
q 49:7,23, Job 29:9,10. 40:4.51:5. Rom 15:20,21. 16:25,26 Ps. 72:9-11. Mic. 7:16,17. Eph. 3:5-9. Zech. 2:13.
tion: by his help he arises from the dust, shakes off his sloth and dejection, breaks his fetters, puts off the old corrupt nature, and puts on Christ for righteousness and sanctifica- tion. Then he appears before God in his bean- tiful garments; ( Notes , Zech . 3:1-4. Rom . 13:
subject, and properly belong to the next chap-11-14. Gal . 3:26-29.) his holy conversation
ter. The deliverance of the Jews from the 'captivity of Babylon; the deliverance of the 'Gentiles from their miserable state of igno- 'rance and idolatry; and the deliverance of 'mankind from the captivity of sin and death, '... are subordinate to one another; and the 'two latter are shadowed out under the image of the former. They are covered by it as by a 'veil, which, however, is transparent, and suf- 'fers them to appear through it.... The restora- 'tion of the Jews,.... the call of the Gentiles, the 'redemption by Messiah, have hitherto been 'handled interchangeably and alternately: 'but here Babylon is at once dropped, and 'hardly ever comes in sight again.... The proph- 'et's views are almost wholly eng engrossed by the 'superior part of his subject. Bp . Lowth.- The Lord here speaks servant the Mes-ral comfort, those sins are, by which men
siah, the Alpha and Omega, in all these transactions, and in every thing else. ( Note , 42:14.) He would fulfil his whole undertaking, with consummate wisdom and complete success; so that his exaltation in heaven, and his glory on earth, would be very high. Yet his previous abasement would be proportionably deep: many would behold his su sufferings with astonishment, and be offended by them.
His visage would be marred narred by sorrow and shame, with wounds and blood, by being spit upon and crowned with thorns, and treated with indignity, more than any man's ever was; and he would appear more base than any of the human species. (Notes, 50:5,6. 53:2-6. Ps. 22:4-6, v. 6, 16-18. Matt . 26:63-68. 27:26-31,37-44.) But he would in consequence "sprinkle many nations," (alluding to the ceremonial law,) with his atoning blood, and by the pouring out of his Spirit, as purifying water, of which baptism would be the outward and visible sign. (Marg.
Ref . p.) Opposing kings would at length be silenced by fear and astonishment, or won over to the faith; for they would see and consider such things, as they before had never heard of, or been acquainted with. ( Notes , 49:7,8,22,23. 60:1-14.) - 'This is the King Messiah, who shall be exalted above 'Abraham, and extolled above Moses, and be 'high above the angels of the ministry.' Mis drach-Tenctuma, an ancient Jewish gloss on this passage.
PRACTICAL OBSERVATIONS.
V.1-6.
The promises of God should invigorate our efforts, to obtain the proposed blessings; and to promote that purity, peace, and enlargement of the church, which they teach us to expect. -Whilst we call on the Lord to "awake and put on strength," for our help and salvation; we should attend to his exhortation to bestir ourselves in doing our duty. At his call the
shews him to men also, to be "a new creature;" and "being delivered from the bondage of corruption," "sin shall no more have dominion over him."-Multitudes indeed of the "uncircumcised in heart and unclean" in life, in every age and place, have been within the visible church: ( Notes , Jer . 9:25,26. Acts 5:51-53. Rom . 2:25-29, vv . 28,29.) but none of them are citizens of the heavenly Jerusalem, not one of them can find admission into the holy city of our God above.
We should therefore be diligent in "cleansing ourselves from all filthiness of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God." The freeness of his salvation gives us abundant encouragement, in pursuing g this path: and when we consider how unprofitable, yea, how pernicious to our tempoincur condemnation and enslave their souls, we shall the more value that redemption, which Christ has made, "not by corruptible things, as silver and go gold, but by his own most precious blood." We should also seek complete victory over every sin; recollecting, that the glory glory of of God as much requires the sanctification of every Christian, as it does the deliverance of his harmless people from those oppressors, who harass them and blaspheme his holy name.
And when the Lord's promises are performed to us, we obtain an additional assurance that he indeed spake them, and an experimental knowledge of his mercy and truth, and of all his glorious attributes. ( Notes , 2 Pet . 1:19. 1 John 5:9,10,20,21.)
V. 7-15.
All blessings come to us sinners, by means of the gospel: we should therefore value and be thankful for that distinguished advantage, above all temporal good. The meanest faithful minister, who brings the joyful tidings of peace and salvation, should be welcomed and respected; his footsteps should be marked and followed, and his doctrine attended to. Ministers should proclaim in the most open manner their joyful message; and endeavor so to walk, as to shew the holy tendency of their doctrine.
As those who "watch for men's souls," they should cry aloud, and be very earnest in circulating the gospel of salvation; and their contented, thankful frame of mind, ever disposed to praise and rejoice in God, should make it plain, that they are happy, and earnestly desire to render their neighbors happy with them. They should also pray continually for a more abundant supply of the Spirit of wisdom and love, that they may all "see eye to eye;" and that unnatural divisions, and acrimonious disputes, may no longer disgrace the gospel of peace.
It behoves all of us to pray continually, that many such messengers of salvation may be sent forth, and welcoined
sinner awakes from the fatal sleep of sin, and by the nations of the earth; that Zion's God, delusive dreams of earthly felicity, and discov- who reigns on "the throne of grace," may be ers his abject, wretched, and enslaved condi- || made known and served by them; that "the
CHAP. LII.
The unbelief of the Jews predicted, 1. The meanness of Christ's external appearance; and the contempt and sufferings which he would endure, 2, 3. He would suffer as a sacrifice for the
sins of his people; but in perfect holiness and patience, 4-7. Several circumstances predicted, which attended his death, burial, resurrection, and glory; and his success in justifying and saving sinners as his spiritual progeny, 8-10. As a recompense of his sufferings, and the fruit of his intercession, he should rescue a numerous people from Satan's bondage, and rule over them as his willing subjects, 11, 12,
52:14. John 1:10-14. 9:28,38. Mark 14:34. Luke 19:41. 29. 18:40. 19:5,14,15. 1 Pet. John 11:35. Heb. 2:15-18. 2:4.
5:7.
2 For dhe shall grow up before him as f 49:7. 50:6. Ps. 22:6-8.69: † Or, he hid as it were, his face
waste places of Jerusalem may rejoice," and the church be redeemed from thraldom; that So "the LORD may make bare his holy arm in the eyes of all the nations; and that all the ends of the earth may see the salvation of our God." In the mean time, those who are favored with the gospel are called on to depart from sin, to separate from the world, to renounce every kind of idolatry and superstition, and to "touch no unclean thing;" and those who minister in sacred things should be peculiarly watchful against "all appearance of evil." These things must not be thought impracticable; for no power, on earth or in hell, can obstruct our escape from the dominion of sin and Satan, if we heartily long and endeavor to return to God, and to become his redeemed servants.
He will be our Guide and Guard, and our way will be safe, and made plain before us.--Yet we must expect to meet with some of the difficulties, through which our Forerunner passed to his glory.
He dealt prudently, and prospered, and heaven and earth are, and will be, filled with his glory: but who was ever so despised, so abased, insulted, and cruelly entreated as he? ( Note , Heb . 12:2,3.) Yet having once shed his blood for sinners, its efficacy still continues: may it be sprinkled on our consciences, that we may enjoy inward peace; and may his grace flow into our hearts to make us meet for his glory! ( Notes , Ez. 36:25-27.
Tit . 2:4-7.) May all kings and nations cease from their blasphemous or haughty opposition to Christ, and be made partakers of the blood of sprinkling, and the baptism of the Holy Ghost! and, becoming acquainted with those glorious mysteries, which are now hid from them; ( Note , 1 Cor. 2:6-9.) may they delight in honoring and obeying him, and in celebrating the riches of his glorious salvation!
10-12,19,20. Mic. 5:1. Zech. 11:8,12,13. Matt. 26:67. 27:39 -44,63. Mark 9:12. 15:19. Luke 8:53. 9:22. 16:14. John 8:48. Heb. 12:2,3.
g 4,10. Ps. 69:29. Matt. 26:37,
fromus. Heb. as a hiding of faces from him, or, us.
h Deut. 32:15. Zech. 11:13. Matt. 27:9,10. John 1:10,11. Acts 3:13-15.
with astonishment and sorrow, this conduct of his nation. When John the Baptist, Jesus Christ himself, his apostles, and others, proclaimed the interesting report, that the song expected Messiah was come; though he most exactly answered to the types and prophecies of the Old Testament, and authenticated his mission by most stupendous miracles: yet very few in comparison truly and practically "believed the report," and they were generally of the lowest and most despised persons in the nation.
For this "Arm of the LORD," which was employed to redeem his people, was not revealed to them, even when he lived among them: ( Note , 51:9-11.) because they were blinded by prejudice; and, for their sins, judicially left destitute of that powerful operation of God's Spirit upon their minds, by which believers were enabled to see the Savior's glory, "as of the only Begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth." ( Notes , John 1:4,5,10-14. 3:19-21. 5:39-47. 12:37-41. 16:8-15. Rom . 10:12-17, v . 16. 2 Cor . 4:4-6.)