_Cry aloud, spare not_ “CRY ALOUD” “Cry with the throat. ” Crying with the throat or from the lungs is here opposed to a simple motion of the lips and tongue (1 Samuel 1:13). The common version, “Cry aloud,” is therefore substantially correct, though somewhat vague. The LXX in like manner paraphr... [ Continue Reading ]
_Yet they seek Me daily_ HYPOCITICAL RELIGION When the prophet went about to show them their transgressions, they pleaded they could see no transgressions they were guilty of; for they were diligent in attending God’s worship, and what more would he have of them? Now, 1. He owns the matter of fa... [ Continue Reading ]
_Wherefore have we fasted?_ FASTS Fasts were a common feature of the old Israelitish religion (1Ki 21:9; 1 Kings 21:12; Jeremiah 36:9). In Zechariah 8:19 we learn expressly that during the exile four days were observed annually as fasts, in commemoration of dates connected with the fall of Jerusal... [ Continue Reading ]
_Is it such a fast that I have chosen?_ THE FAST WHICH GOD HAS CHOSEN I. GOD’S PURPOSE IN COMMANDING MEN TO FAST. 1. To lead us to prayer (Isaiah 58:4), prayer so real that our voices are “heard on high,” that God will hear and answer. 2. To aid us in realizing communion with Him (Isaiah 58:9);... [ Continue Reading ]
_Is not this the fast that I have chosen?_ PRACTICAL FASTING In reply to the question, how the acts here mentioned could be described as fasting, J. D. Michaelis says that they are all to be considered as involving acts of conscientious self-denial, which he illustrates by the case of an American... [ Continue Reading ]
_Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry?_ ALMSGIVING Why there are so many evils in the world is a question that has been agitated ever since man felt them. It becomes not us, with too presumptuous a curiosity, to assign the causes of the Divine conduct, or, with too daring a hand, to draw aside... [ Continue Reading ]
_Then shall thy light break forth_ THE SECRET OF PROSPERITY TO NATIONS, CHURCHES, AND MEN (Isaiah 58:8; Isaiah 58:14, “Then,” “then,” “then,” “then “):-- I. MEN AND CHURCHES CHARGE GOD FOOLISHLY, AND COMPLAIN WITHOUT CAUSE OF THEIR OWN LOW ESTATE. II. GOD REBUTS THEIR BLASPHEMOUS CHARGE, AND ASS... [ Continue Reading ]
_Then shalt thou call_ GOD’S WONDERFUL RESPONSE TO HIS PEOPLE’S PRAYERS When God calls to us by His Word, it becomes us to say, “Here we are; what saith our Lord unto His servants? ” But that God should say to us, “Behold Me, here I am,” is strange. When we cry to Him, as if He were at a distance,... [ Continue Reading ]
_And if thou draw out thy soul to the hungry_ THE REFLEX INFLUENCE OF MISSIONARY ENTERPRISE I. MISSIONARY ENTERPRISE EXALTS CHRISTIAN CHARACTER. The whole life of the Christian after his conversion is a discipline fitted to purify and exalt his character. What, then, are the works and exercises th... [ Continue Reading ]
_And the Lord shall guide thee continually_ OUR GUIDE Our earthly existence is a pilgrimage which none can successfully perform without Divine aid. I. ALL MEN NEED A GUIDE. There are many who have been determined to have their own way; and when that way has led them rote” the path of sin and ende... [ Continue Reading ]
_If thou turn away thy foot from the Sabbath_ SABBATH OBSERVANCE A GODWARD DUTY If the true fast (Isaiah 58:3) typifies the Israelite’s duties towards his neighbour, the Sabbath represents his duties towards God. (_Prof. S. R. Driver, D. D._) TURNING THE FOOT FROM THE SABBATH “If thou turnest t... [ Continue Reading ]
_Then shalt thou delight thyself in the Lord_ DELIGHTING IN GOD I. WHAT IS IMPLIED IN DELIGHTING OURSELVES IN THE LORD. 1. A contemplation of His infinite and adorable perfections; such a contemplation as to derive the highest satisfaction from them; to see in them all that is amiable and lovely.... [ Continue Reading ]