ISAIAH CHAPTER 50 The dereliction of the Jews is not of Christ; for he hath power to save, ISAIAH 50:1; and was obedient in that work; and God is present with him, ISAIAH 50:5. An exhortation not to trust in ourselves, but in God, ISAIAH 50:10,11. THUS SAITH THE LORD: this is another sermon begun he... [ Continue Reading ]
The general accusation delivered in the last words he now proveth by particular instances. _When I came; when I_, first by my prophets, and at last by my Son, came unto them, to call them to repentance, and to redeem and deliver them, as it is explained in the following clauses of this verse. No man... [ Continue Reading ]
I CLOTHE THE HEAVENS WITH BLACKNESS; or, _I will or can clothe_ &c. What I once did in Egypt, when I drew black curtains before all the heavenly lights, and caused an unparalleled and amazing darkness for three days together, to the great terror of mine enemies, so I can and will do still when it is... [ Continue Reading ]
God having asserted his own power, to show the groundlessness of the infidelity of the Jews, he proceeds to show what excellent and effectual means he used to bring them to repentance and salvation; which he mentions as a great aggravation of their unbelief and rebellion, which by this means was wit... [ Continue Reading ]
HATH OPENED MINE EAR; hath revealed unto me; or rather, hath given me a power and will to hear and receive his commands, as this phrase is used, PSALMS 40:6 ISAIAH 35:5, and elsewhere. I WAS NOT REBELLIOUS; I readily did and suffered what he required of me. NEITHER TURNED AWAY BACK: the same thing r... [ Continue Reading ]
I GAVE MY BACK TO THE SMITERS; I patiently yielded up myself, and turned my back to those who smote me. I was willing not only to do, but to suffer, the will of God, and the injuries of men. This and the following passages were literally fulfilled in Christ, as is expressly affirmed, MATTHEW 26:57,6... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR; or rather, _But_, as this particle is oft rendered. For God's favour is here opposed to the injuries of men. THE LORD GOD WILL HELP ME; though as a man I am weak and inconsiderable, yet God will strengthen me to go through my great and hard work. THEREFORE SHALL I NOT BE CONFOUNDED; therefore I... [ Continue Reading ]
HE IS NEAR; God, though he seem to be at a distance, and to hide his face from me, yet he is in truth at my right hand, and ready to help me. THAT JUSTIFIETH ME; that will publicly acquit me from all the calumnies of mine adversaries, who say that I am a transgressor of the law, a false teacher and... [ Continue Reading ]
THAT SHALL CONDEMN ME; that dare attempt it, or can justly do it. THEY ALL, mine accusers and enemies, SHALL WAX OLD AS A GARMENT; the moth shall eat them up: shall pine away in their iniquity, as God threatened, LEVITICUS 26:39; shall be cut off and consumed by a secret curse and judgment of God, w... [ Continue Reading ]
WHO IS AMONG YOU THAT FEARETH THE LORD? he now turneth his speech from the unbelieving and rebellious Jews to those of them who were or should be pious. OF HIS SERVANT; of the same person of whom he hath hitherto spoken; of Christ, who is called God's servant, ISAIAH 52:13, ISAIAH 53:11, partly by w... [ Continue Reading ]
ALL YE THAT KINDLE A FIRE, that you may enjoy the light and comfort of it, as it is explained in the following words. You that reject the light which God hath set up, and refuse the counsel of his servant, and seek for comfort, and safety, and the knowledge of God's mind, and the enjoyment of his fa... [ Continue Reading ]