THE SPIRIT PROMISED TO THE SEED OF JACOB Isaiah 44:1. _Yet now hear, O Jacob my Servant, &c._ The three Divine Persons in the Godhead are represented in Scripture as concurring in the salvation of fallen man. Our text is one of those interesting passages in which the Holy Spirit is promised in the... [ Continue Reading ]
A PUBLIC PROFESSION OF RELIGION Isaiah 44:5. _One shall say, I am the Lord’s, &c._ This chapter begins with a prediction of the future prosperity and increase of the Church of God; and the prophet here represents converts as spontaneously choosing to make a public profession of religion. I. SOME R... [ Continue Reading ]
THE SOLITARINESS AND ETERNITY OF GOD Isaiah 44:6. _Thus saith the Lord, the King of Israel, &c._ A magnificent text! It places before us three of the loftiest of all themes of thought—the solitariness and eternity of God, and His relations to the Church. There are speculations that are profitless;... [ Continue Reading ]
CHRISTIAN COURAGE Isaiah 44:8. _Fear not, neither be afraid, &c._ Boldness for God, and boldness in dealing with God, should form part of the Christian character; and the Word of God, from the beginning to the end, encourages this Christian boldness. We are repeatedly exhorted to “fear not,” to “b... [ Continue Reading ]
IDOL-MAKERS Isaiah 44:9. _They that make a graven image, &c._ What have we in this section of this chapter? An effective exposure of the folly of a practice that was almost universal! A fact in itself worth thinking about. _We_ see the folly of the practice, yet it prevailed without any one suspect... [ Continue Reading ]
THE BLESSEDNESS AND DUTY OF GOD’S PEOPLE Isaiah 44:21. _Remember these, O Jacob and Israel, &c._ God contrasts the happy condition of His chosen people with that of the poor blind idolaters whom He had been describing in the verses before. I. ALL WHO HAVE COME TO CHRIST ARE FORGIVEN (Isaiah 44:22... [ Continue Reading ]
A CALL FOR UNIVERSAL PRAISE Isaiah 44:23. _Sing, O ye heavens, for the_ LORD _hath done it, &c._ The prophet, beholding Israel’s redemption achieved and the people restored to their land and privileges, exulted in the blessed change, and burst forth in this impassioned address to all nature above a... [ Continue Reading ]
THE FULFILMENT OF PROPHECY IN THE CAREER OF CYRUS Isaiah 44:28. _Cyrus, my shepherd, shall perform all my pleasure_. The fulfilment of prophecy is one of the two supernatural arguments for the truth of the Scriptures. I now present in some detail the fulfilment of prophecy in the career and conques... [ Continue Reading ]