_Behold, a King shall reign in righteousness_
ASAYRIA AND JUDAH
Such (Isaiah 31:8) will be the ignominious end of the proud battalions
of Assyria.
For Judah a happier future immediately begins. There should be no
break between the two Chapter s. The representation which follows
(Isaiah 32:1) is th... [ Continue Reading ]
_A man shall be as an hiding-place from the wind_
A HIDING-PLACE FROM THE WIND
In the East, the following phenomenon is often observed.
Where the desert touches a river, valley, or oasis, the sand is in a
continual state of drift from the wind, and it is this drift which is
the real cause of the b... [ Continue Reading ]
_The eyes of them that see shall not be dim_
FOUR TESTS OF CHARACTER
The whole of this chapter refers to the state of the world during the
time of the millennium.
The happiness which shall be the lot of God’s children in that
period will be only an increase of our present state of happiness and
h... [ Continue Reading ]
_The vile person shall be no more called liberal_
VILE PERSON
(Hebrews, _nabal_):--Compare 1 Samuel 25:1.
(_A. B.Davidson, LL. D._)
THE CONVENTIONAL ABUSE OF MORAL TERMS
“Liberal” and “bountiful” were conventional names. The Hebrew
word for “liberal” originally meant exactly that--open-hearted,... [ Continue Reading ]
_For the vile person will speak villany_
THE OUTER LIFE ACCORDING TO THE INNER
A vile person and a churl will do mischief; and the more if he be
preferred, and have power in his hand.
His honours will make him worse, and not better. See the character of
these base, ill-conditioned men.
1. They a... [ Continue Reading ]
_The liberal deviseth liberal things_
LIBERALITY, NATURAL AND GRACIOUS
The liberal man is one who is generous and benevolent in his
feelings--a man of large views and public spirit--one far above
covetousness and selfseeking--ever desirous to promote the welfare of
his country, and the best intere... [ Continue Reading ]
_Rise up, ye women, that are at ease_
FEMALE COMPLACENCY REPROVED
Isaiah turns aside abruptly from his main theme.
His eye, we may suppose, was arrested by the spectacle of some women,
sitting down perhaps at a little distance from where he stood, and
testifying their indifference to his words. I... [ Continue Reading ]
_Be troubled, ye careless ones_
BESETTING SINS MAY BE THE DEFECTS OF VIRTUES
The besetting sins of either sex are its virtues prostituted.
A man’s greatest temptations proceed from his strength; but the
glory of the feminine nature is repose, and trust is the strength of
the feminine character, i... [ Continue Reading ]
_Upon the land of my people shall come up thorns and briers_
THE OUTPOURING OF THE SPIRIT
As the communication of the Spirit is necessary to produce a
reformation, so a large communication or outpouring of the Spirit is
necessary to produce a public general reformation; such as may save a
country... [ Continue Reading ]
_Until the Spirit be poured upon us from on high_
SPIRITUAL INFLUENCES
I. THERE IS PROVIDED IN CONNECTION WITH THE CHRISTIAN ECONOMY, THE
BESTOWMENT OF SPIRITUAL INFLUENCES ON MANKIND.
1. In what manner is the Spirit poured from on high? It cannot but be
expected that there must be not a little of... [ Continue Reading ]
_And the work of righteousness shall be peace_
THE TRUE WORK OF LIFE
I. THE NATURE OF TRUE LIFE WORK--the work of righteousness. What is
righteous work?
1. Working by right law. God has established a law to regulate all
action and motion throughout His empire. What is the law by which mind
is to... [ Continue Reading ]
_My people shall dwell in a peaceable habitation_
THE SAFETY OF BELIEVERS IN TIME OF JUDGMENT
I. CONTEMPLATE THE COMING JUDGMENTS OF THE LORD.
II. CONSIDER THE BLESSED PROMISES MADE TO HIS SEEKING PEOPLE.
III. THE PERIOD WHEN THESE PROMISES SHALL HAVE THEIR FULFILMENT. Read
the first verse of th... [ Continue Reading ]
_Blessed are ye that sow beside all waters_
TIMES OF PEACE SHOULD BE IMPROVED
The war is now over; Asher has been crushed like a serpent, and this
sweet voice is heard when the enemy has been driven out of the land.
Understand that times of peace are to be times of cultivation. We are
not to be g... [ Continue Reading ]