CHAP. LVI. xxiv. 4—6. J. 23.
Jer, vii. $11- Ain exhortation to justice and piety, in the al. iv. 4. Matt. . prospect of the near approach of God's
ihi.@. Johnvii.l7.
bad Or, equity. ‘b xiv. 13. te & = salvation, 1, 2. Encouragement to Matt li? i strangers and eunuchs to expect spiritual Luke iii. 3--9.
blessings, in the way of faith and obedience, 3——-8. .A severe rebuke of blind and wicked teachers and rulers, Q—12.
HUS saith the Lorn, * Keep ye * judgment, and do justice: ° for
Rom. i. 17. &. 6—10. xili. L1—
14.
¢c Ps. i. 1—-S. XV. j—5. cvi. s. CXite
1. CXix. l —_ 5. exxviii. 1. Luke xi. 98. John xiii.
7. Rev. xxii.
14. ad 4. Prov. iv. 13,
Ec. Vii. 18 ] ti : t d
e lviil 39. Rx. my Saivalion zs near tO come, an my io. ux. so.righteousness to be revealed. Ser. pv i218 9, ° Blessed is the man ¢hat doeth this, Ez. » 12, 13.
20, 21. Ps.- XXXiv. i
muxri. e-cxix-it; that © keepeth the sabbath from pol-
101. Prov. iv. @
95, Matt. vill. 10, 11. Acts x. J, &.94. xfil. 47,}, 8-54. xi 4 that hath "joined himself to the Lorp,
ii, 10, 2t. XV. 9—12, 16, Bph. ii. 12—22. = Jer. 1. 5. Zeyh. fi. 11. “k Cor. vi. 17.
Out refuge, and hope.
Let the discouraged penitent remember, that ** where sin hath abounded, grace much more ‘¢ abounds ;”’ and let ministers and christians observe, that ‘¢ the things which are impossible with man, are possible ‘© with God.”” _ We should therefore use every means to reclaim the most desperate offenders, and to do good to those -who are most distant from us, or have been most injurious to us: for the Lord’s thoughts and ways are not as ours, but immensely above them, and more excellent than they.— Assuredly the word of God, when faithfully preached, will answer the ends which he hath purposed,and will in some instances be blessed to bring sinners to repentance ; and who can describe the happy change, which then takes place in their state and character?
Delivered from the wrath to come, and from the bondage of sin and Satan ; justified by faith and reconciled unto God, the converted sinner begins to experience sweet peace in his conscience ; hope’ animates and gratitude enlarges his heart, and love constrains him to devote himself to the service of his merciful Redeemer.
Instead of a profane, contentious, selfish, or sensual wretch, the grief or temptation of all around him ; behold him now patient, meek, humble, blameless, upright, benevolent, and peaceable ; a kind relation, a faithful friend, a compassionate neighbour, a spiritual worshipper,’ a follower of Christ, an example to others, an useful member of society, and an instrument of God, to diffuse the knowledge of his salvation around him, and to transmit it to the next generation, and thus to glorify his name!
In such converts, indeed, the Lord will be everlastingly glorified, and many will be unspeakably benefitted by them. Well then may there be joy in heaven and in earthy when one sinner thus repenteth. (Jvotes, Luke xv. 10--32.) How should the hopes of being instrumental in so good a work, animate our endeavours to spread the gospel of salvation; and our prayers, that such trophies of the Redeemer’s victories tnay every where be multiplied! And, how should we endeavour to be living demonstrations, that this is the genuine tendency of the gospel ; and to ‘‘ let our light so shine before men,
‘< that they may see our good works, and glorify our hca-s§ venly Father 1”
9
ISAIAH ~—
speak, saying, 'The Lorp hath utterly! mar 2», 06,0. separated me from his people: * neither & 5. xxix. 2. ser. let the eunuch say, Behold, I am a dry tree.
eunuchs that keep my sabbaths, and maiui's iv. s. 'choose the things that please me, and " take hold of my covenant ;
° a. Heb. ili. 6. mine house and within my walls, a placeo tx. 1s, soho 1. °and aname ? better than of sons and of , Rev. iii. 3e.. daughters: I will give them an everlast- 4: 's- Rev, Wb
eth the sabbath from polluting it, and.*, i... taketh hold of my covenant ; go, Pe. i 6 7 Even “them will I bring to my 2) fMsam | xil. 90, &c. Heb. xii. 22. € : NOTES. CHAP. LVI. V. 1, 2.° The prophet doubtless was
34. Marg. Ref.)
B.C. 706.
xviii. 7 — 19, =xXxix. 16, 17. Dan. le 3) &e.
Acts visi. v7, &c. 4 For thus saith the Lorp unto the! 2" 22r.,\% Luke x. 42
2 Sam. xxlfi. 5. Jer. 1. 5. Hebd. vi. $7, 18.
n Matt. xvi. 18.. § Even unto them, "will I give in Tien 1B.
Jobn Hii. 1.
r35.xliv. 5. Acts ii. 4}. Xie 23. 2 Cor. vill. Se i-Thes, i. 0, 10.
to serve’ o* 3 ST
ing name, ‘that shall not be cut off.
6 Also the sons of the stranger, that ‘join themselves to the Lorp, vin him, and ‘to love the name of the Lorp, a3, Gal, to be his servants, ‘every one that keep-| iis
guided to write his predictions, in that way which might render them useful to the Jews, in his own and ir after times ; and to the church in every age. We may therefore consider this as an exhortation to the Jews in Babylon, or under any of their calamities, to wait and prepare for deliverance, by attending to the precepts and ordinances of God. As, however, it here stands, it seems to be equivalént to the call of John Baptist: ‘‘ Repent ye, for the Vingdom of: - ‘¢ heaven is at hand.” (Note, Mait. iii. 2.) The attention. of the Jews, about the time of Christ, was taken up, almost exclusively, with trivial observances, to the neglect of the weightier matters of the law: and their formality, hypocrisy, iniquity, and presumptuous confidence in external privileges,
led them to reject his salvation, of which they neither perceived the necessity, nor understood the nature, The ser- © mon of Christ on the mount, and the general tenour of his preaching were very similar to this address ; and, by shew-ing the spiritual nature of true religion, Soth tended to discover to them their need of mercy and grace, and to lead them to follow after holiness. The Lord here assures the Jews, that his salvation approached, his promises were | about to be fulfilled, and his righteousness revealed, by their expected Messiah.
But as these were spiritual blessings, they would not be welcome to the carnal heart: and therefore it behoved them to prepare for the reception of them, by repentance, attention to justice and equity, and attendance on his erdinances. For, though such as trust in their supposed good works are far from the kingdom of heaven ; yet ; all who believe the scriptures, and wait for salvation according to the promises of God, ‘‘ repent, ‘and do works meet ‘© for repentance ;” they do justice, and are conscientious in their varions duties.
And happy is he, who doeth this, laying hold of it as a man in earnest,’ keeping holy the Sabbath-day, and withholding his hand from doing any evil; for such are ‘ not far from the kingdom of God ;” and the Lord will shew them his salvation, secing he hath taught them thus to wait for it. (Nojes,: Iviii. 19, 14. Mark xii, 28—
A
ty
ry ad Ld ah od ba bert dina 2: a ry a ° - | oe © 4 . a. . .
B.C. 706.
CHAPTER LVI.
B. C. 706.
t pom. xi. holy mountain, and make them joyful in | are all ignorant, ¢ they are all dumb dogs, °"yri.sait is,
¥ batt ae is. MY house of prayer ; * their burnt offer- _ xix.48, John v.ing’s anid their sacrifices shall be accepted
el—as. 1 Tim. . . i.e. upon mine altar; ¥ for mine house shall
* ay se liv 7 Pa be called -an house of prayer for all
s. cinils, Jer: people,
Hos. iii Mic. § The Lord Gop, ” which gathereth oa Zech. the outcasts of Israel, saith, * Yet will I
a xill.¢. she '* gather others to him, * beside those that
Gen. xix, ware gathered unto him.
se zph.itod. Q J All ° ye beasts of the field, come ~ 1416. °
© Heb. fo My ge-to devour, yea, all ye beasts in the forest. b Deut xxvitt.os. 10 His “watchmen “are blind: they
Exix. 5. xxxix. 17. Rev. xix. 17,18. . cili.8. Bs. tii. 17, | d xxix. lo. Jer. xiv. 18, 142 Hos. iv. 6.ix.7, 8. Matt. xv. 14. xxiii, 16-—-#6. Luke vi. 39, 40.
o” @ e
V. 3—7. Strangers and eunuchs lay under several dis- _ advantages, according to the Mosaick dispensation: (Notes,
~-sWDeut, xxiii. 1—8:) and it was deemed a peculiar misfor-
' tune, and even disgrace, among the Jews, to be childless. (Marg. Ref.) But the gospel abolishes all these distinctions ; and such declarations as this implied, that the shadows of the old dispensation were about to vanish, and that a brighter day was dawning. The Gentile could not in any case be admitted to the full privilege of an Israelite, without circumcision and an exact observance of the ritual law ; and in some cases, he would after all lie under several disqualifications. - But, without at all mentioning these, the Lord assured strangers, who came to ‘* join themselves to him, *¢ to love his name and be his servants,” to ‘* hallow his ‘¢ sabbath, and take hold of his covenant’’ of grace and
- mercy ; (Note, lv. 1—3;) that he would introduce them
as spiritual worshippers on his holy mountain, make them
- joyful in his courts, and accept their sacrifices equally with those of the Jews: for he intended his temple to be a house of prayer for all people. (Note, Mait. xxi. 12, 13.
Mark "xi. 1§—~21.) This was an encouragement to the Gentiles to come and worship God at his temple ; and it implied that the spiritual sacrifices of praise and prayer, springing from faith and love, were the most acceptable to him: (Notes, Ps. \. 7—15. 22, 29:) but it especially and most expressly predicted the conversion of the Gentiles to Christ, and their admission into the Christian church, which were typified by .Mount Zion and the temple.—‘ The prophet uses such ex- ‘ pressions with relation to the gospel-times as are taken * € from the usages of his own time.’ (Calvin.) ‘ Thisisa ‘ good rule of explaining the idioms of the prophetical “ writings.’ (Lowth.)—The Lord also assured the eunuchs, who laid hold of his covenant and were obedient to his word ; that he would admit them into his family, and give them an everlasting name and place in heaven, far preferable to the
feeble satisfaction, which men enjoy from the hope of being .
remembered after death, in the children which they leave behind them. (Note, 1 Sam. i. 8.)—Cut off, &c. (5.) (Note, lv. 12, 13.)—The repeated mention of keeping the sabbath, in this place, which evidently gives a decided preference to spiritual worship and holiness of life, above all external observances, and refers to the time when the ceremonial law would be abrogated ; strongly implies the obligation of the christian sabbath. (Note, Matt. xii. 7, 8.)
V. 8. JEHOVAH, who “ gathered the outcasts of Israel,”
Bz. ilies 15
they.cannot bark ; t sleeping, lying down, —'v.“2 ‘loving to slumber, she pies 11 Yea, § they are t greedy dogs which on. tating “tn § can never have enough, and they "aret Prov. v. +10. shepherds that cannot understand: they jon..e=s. Nab. ‘all look to their own way, every one for his gain, from his quarter. vee 12 Come ye, say they, * I will fetch setts to sas wine, and we will fill ourselves with strong iive:te i tim.
4 Pi ing X¥Xille
iii. 18, Mark xiii, 34—37.
g \Sam. it. 18—
17. 29. Ez. aii. 19, AXXIV. 2, Se
» is. nk. 3. 8. Tit. i. drink ; and 'to-morrow shall be as this 7. 1."1 Pet. Vv. 9. @ Pet. ii. 3.
day, and much more abundant. 14 1b. Jude 11, t Heb. strong of appetite. § Heb. know not to be satisfied. Ec. v. 10. : b Mic. iii - Zech. xi. 15—197. Matt. xiii. 14,15. John wii. d8. 9Cor.iv. 4. f EX. xxiii. 8. Jer. xxii
17. @ Pet, ii. 15, 16. V. 22. XXVili. 7, 8. Prov. XXxxi. 4,5 5. Hos. iv.11. Am. vi. 3—6, Matt. xxir.49—51. Lukexii. 45, 46. xxi. $4. Ti 7 1 xxil. 13, 14, Ps, x. 6, Prov,. eis 9: il. xalii. $5. xXvii, 1. Jer. xviii. 18. Luke xii. 19, 20. 1 Cor. Xv. 92,
here promises to gather more unto him, than had already been gathered. (Notes, xi. 11-16. Gen. xlix. 10.) This predicts the conversion of the Gentiles to christianity in far fae numbers, than they ever had been proselyted to udaism : but it may also look forward to the future gathering of the outcast Jews into the church, and the consequent bringing in of the fulness of the Gentiles. (Notes, Luke xxi. 20-—24. Rom. xi. 25—32.) V. g—12.
Under the terms ‘‘ watchmen,” and *< shep- ‘¢ herds,” both the priests, and scribes, and civil magistrates seem to have been intended; the teachers and rulers of Israel, especially the former: but this severe rebuke was probably expressed in general terms, that it might equally apply to such characters in other ages and places. ‘There might be many such in the prophet’s time, whose likeness he delineated ; and still more before the captivity who resembled them: but it was most generally and exactly verified in the character of the chief priests, scribes, and elders in the days of Christ, and just before the destruction of the city
and temple by the Romans. The nation in general was .
given up to wickedness ; but the chiéf blame belonged to
these corrupt teachers and rulers. (Note, Jer. xxiii. 13—
15.) Through their supineness and profligacy, the nation was exposed to ruin ; and the Roman armies were summoned
to execute uengeance upon it, under the figure of the wild
beasts of the forest being called on, to come and devour a
Meglected flock of sheep. (Note, Jer. xii. 7—9.) The
watchmen were so blinded and ignorant, that they saw no danger: even the shepherd’s dog could bark when the wolf came ; but they were ‘* dumb dogs, and could not bark ;” they were neither capable of instructing the people, nor inclined to do any thing towardsit; for they were lazy, drowsy, and utterly insensible. But, though they did not copy the faithfulness and vigilance of the dog ; yet they were more greedy than that animal, and their rapacity could not be satisfied. They did not understand their duty as shep~ herds ; but they were sufficiently quick-sighted and attentive to their interest, and every one was:looking out to see what lucre he could acquire in his peculiar station, by any means whatever. They were likewise equally luxurious and intemperate ; and expected a perpetuity and an increase of id erity and self-indulgence, when they were upon the
rink of ruin! (Notes, xxviii. 1—8. Ez. xxii. 94—31. Hos. iv. 7—11. Mic. ti. 11.)—Alas! how many, in every age of the church hitherto, might here,. as in a mirrour,
1g B38
=
Se oe - 7 nl 7 5 eas, . ee ~~ & 4 | . |} 1 . = . ~ ‘ . e 4 . _
B. C. 706. ISAIAH. B. C..706. : : CHAP. LVII. | gospel, from which the impenitent are* + Chr. nak. ss.
The disregarded happy death of the righteous a token of approaching judgments, 1,2. Idolaters, hypocrites, and wicked men, ciled Lefore.God’s tribunal, convicted, and threatened with destruction ; while none could help them, and while they who trusted God would be saved, 3 —14, Promises to the broken-hearted ; causes of the sufferings of God's pre- Jessed people; and the free grace of the
Settee,
have recognized their own likeness, if they had not been blind !—S/eeping. (10.) (Marg.) ‘ Dreamers.’ (Evumie-fousvoi. Sept. Jude 8. Gr.) The original word occurs no where else.—(Nofes, 2 Pet. il. 10—19, Jude 5—13.)
PRACTICAL OBSERVATIONS.
- 1—9d.: ——_———
We cannot indeed be justified by our own works; but we cannot be saved in our sins: they, therefore, who, ‘ through ‘¢ the Spirit, wait for the hope of righteousness by faith,”’ will be found walking in the ways of holy obedience. There can be no piety without honesty, or acceptable honesty without piety.
He then is the happy man, who layeth hold of the precepts, as well as the proinises, of God’s word ; who halloweth the day, and attendeth on the ordinances, of the Lord; who abhorreth that which is evil, and cleaveth to that which is-good ;. and who thus ‘¢ waits for the mercy ‘© of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.” (Nore, Ps. i, 1—3. xv..1—5. P.
O. xxiv. 3—6.) Thanks be to God, we are none of us at present separated from him, or his peo-~ ple, by any thing except, wilful sin and unbelief: and if we coine ‘‘ to join ourselves unto him, to choose the things that << please him, and to take hold of his covenant ; to love his ‘“ name, and be his servants ;”” we shall be sure of acceptance, through the one oblation of our great High Priest.
We are now ‘* come to mount Zion, and to the city of the ‘¢ living God ;”’ (Notes, Heb. xii. 18—25 5) and may expect to be made joyful-in his house of prayer, while our spiritual sacrifices are acceptable to him through Jesus Christ.
And should any of those, who are interested in such blessings, be childless, or afflicted with bodily infirmity, they need not disquict themselves: the comforts of religion will counterbalance all external trials; ‘* a name and place’ in the family of God are far preferable to a numerous offspring ; and his everlasting mercies far better riches than the treasures of this world.
Let us then seek all our felicity from the God of salvation, and walk with him ‘in all his ordinances and << commandments blameless ;’’ and let us rejoice in the assurance, that he, who hath gathered us poor out-casts into his family. will gather others, besides those, and more than those, who have already been gathered to him.
V. o—12.
- Alas! the visible church hath hitherto been grievously corrupted, through blind watchmen and ignorant teachers, who like dogs can bark at the sheep, and bite, nay greedily’ devour them; but seem at Jeague with. the wolf and lion, from which they aught to defend the fold ; who can-excluded, 15——21. D Livi. 9. Bal Be. : “ge & och. mm of HE ‘righteous perisheth, and ° no gedlinat. Pasi man layeth it to heart: and * mer-c ‘xing: sir is.. ; : K li. ciful mon are taken away, none consider- 4s Chreaxav. en
ing that ‘the righteous is taken away ‘ing, from tthe evil éo come. - aif. 7. Matt. xxv. d + ° 2}. Loke xvi.
2 He-“shall * enter into peace: they #-,2 Cor. v. 1. shall *rest in their beds, each one walking , Bev xiv. 3. §in his uprightness. Luke li, 90. vit.
e xiv. 18. 2 Chr. xvi. i+. Ez. xxxii. 25.
not through ignorance, or will not through laziness, preach
the truths of God to the people to warn them trom the wrath to come, and will not permit others, if they can help it; who are ever in pursuit of preferment, and after having added one source of emolument to another, are yet dissatisfied ; who are asleep and dreaming of worldly pleasures, when they should be preaching and praying ; but are awake, and keep a sharp look out, when ‘ filthy lucre” from any quarter can be obtained ; who never study, and do not understand, any part of their pastoral duty ; but know very well how to fleece the flock, and to make the most of their income; who are as lavish and luxurious in spending, as they are rapacious in getting: wasting those benefices.in intemperance, or magnificence, which were giwen to be used in charity and hospitality! and, who are encouraging each other in sensuality, filling themselves with strong drink, and presumptuously expecting that ‘‘ to-morrow sha}j,be as this ‘¢ day, and much more abundant ;’’ when theyy--and those that blindly mistook such hirelings for shepheydsy are about to fall into the ditch together.
F rom such pastors, O Lord,
deliver thy church: open the eyes of those, to! whom any-part of this character b: longs, to see their gugi¢ and danger, that they may escape them: teach those, ‘¢twho have the ‘* rule” over thy people to set their faces agairi§t. such abuses, and to exclude such blind guides, such dumb greedy- dogs, such covetous and sensual watchmen, from the sacred function ; and to oppose them by a contrary example, as well as by authority. And Oh! send us pastors after thine own heart, to feed thy people with knowledge and understanding 3 that we may rejoice in thy holy name, and that believers may be daily added to thy church: even so be it, Lord Jesus, thou good and chicf Shepherd of the sheep. Amen. .
NOTES.