_Arise, shine; for thy light is come_ THE GLORY OF SPIRITUAL ISRAEL Having repeatedly and fully shown that the national pro-eminence of Israel was not to be perpetual, that the loss of it was the natural consequence and righteous retribution of iniquity, and that their loss did not involve the des... [ Continue Reading ]
_For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth_ THE MANIFESTATION OF CHRIST TO THE GENTILES 1. The first token that was shown to the Gentile world that the great Light had arisen which was to cast its beams over them as well as over the small nation which alone hitherto had known God, was the w... [ Continue Reading ]
_And the Gentiles shall come to thy light_ THE ATTRACTIVENESS OF AN ENLIGHTENED AND LIGHT-GIVING CHURCH What shall invite such multitudes to the Church? They shall be allowed to join themselves to thee-- 1. By the light that shines upon thee. 2. By the light with which thou shinest. (_M. Henry.... [ Continue Reading ]
_Lift up thine eyes round about_ THE GENTILES GATHERED I. THE GATHERING OF THE GENTILES TO ZION. From every quarter--from far--from beyond the sea. With all the forces. II. ZION’S EMOTIONS. She sees and overflows with joy. (_R. A. Bertram._) “NURSED AT THY SIDE” Rather, “on thy side,” i.e carri... [ Continue Reading ]
_Then thou shalt see_ THE GLORY OF THE MILLENNIAL CHURCH Wealth, Commerce and Agriculture are three great interests and powers on earthen trinity of forces which have in all ages engrossed mankind. Each one of the three will have its representatives in that vast multitude who are to ask the way t... [ Continue Reading ]
_The multitude of camels shall cover thee_ COMMERCIAL NATIONS AND NOMAD TRIBES AIDING THE CHURCH The nations engaged in commerce bring their wares to the Church; the tribe of Midian, descended from Abraham and Keturah (Genesis 25:2), and of which the Ephaens formed a branch, dwelling on the east c... [ Continue Reading ]
_All the flocks of Kedar shall be gathered together unto thee_ SACRIFICIAL SERVICE None of the prophets of the Old Testament is able to think of the worship of God by the Israel of the latter days without the offering of sacrifices; but it would be a return to the limited conceptions of the Old Te... [ Continue Reading ]
_Who are these that fly as a cloud?_ ACCESSIONS TO THE CHURCH It is a fine conception of Vitringa, that the ships expressly mentioned in the next verso are here described in their first appearance at a distance resembling with their outspread sails and rapid course a fleecy cloud driven by the win... [ Continue Reading ]
_Surely the isles shall wait for Me_ THE SHIPS OF TARSHISH The ships of Tarshish coming from the extreme end of the European island-region, as the leaders of the fleet brining Lion’s children from afar. (_F. Delitzsch, D. D._) MISSIONARY SHIPS The ships of Tarshish, transport-ships, shall lie r... [ Continue Reading ]
_For the nation and kingdom that will not serve Thee shall perish_ THE CHARACTER AND DOOM OF A CORRUPT NATION I. THE CHARACTER OF A CORRUPT NATION. The text implies-- 1. That there is a certain course of human life which the Bible recognizes as serving the Lord. 2. That nations as well as indivi... [ Continue Reading ]
_The glory of Lebanon shall come unto thee_ TREES EMPLOYED IN THE SERVICE OF THE CHURCH It is difficult to say whether the reference he to building materials for the sacred edifice, or to ornamental trees planted in the temple-courts. (_Prof. J. Skinner, D. D._) VARIETY IN UNITY Variety of instr... [ Continue Reading ]
_The sons also of them that afflicted thee shall come bending unto thee_ HONOUR DONE TO THE CHURCH A promise like this is made to the Church of Philadelphia (Revelation 3:9); and it is intended to be-- 1. A mortification to the proud oppressors of the Church. 2. An exaltation to the poor, oppre... [ Continue Reading ]
_Thou shalt also suck the milk of the Gentiles_ THE CHURCH SERVED BY NATIONS AND KINGS The nations and their kings now give up to the Church their vital substance, as a mother or nurse gives to the child the milk of her breasts; and the Church thereby has rich nourishment for prosperous growth, ev... [ Continue Reading ]
_For brass I will bring gold_ THE KINGDOM OF GOD This passage occurs amid the glowing prophecies concerning the millennial kingdom. It has, however, its application to the kingdom in its present state. I. THE KINGDOM OF CHRIST RECOGNIZES DIFFERENT GRADES, QUALITIES, VALUES, USES. Each of these i... [ Continue Reading ]
_But thou shalt call thy walls Salvation_ WALLS, SALVATION; GATES, PRAISE Consider how salvation is a wall, and how gates are praise. 1. There are three safeties which a sinner wants. He wants to be saved (1) From the condemnation of his sins. (2) From the, power of his sins. (3) From the conf... [ Continue Reading ]
_The sun shall be no more thy light by day_ THE LOWER GIVING PLACE TO THE HIGHER The prophet bids his people look forward to a time when even the sun and moon shall become needless to them; when in some new and more direct experience of God they shall need nothing to reflect His light to them, but... [ Continue Reading ]
_Thy sun shall no more go down_ THE WORLD OF LIGHT I. THE SOURCE OF THE LIGHT. “The Lord.” This is true even of the present world. The light which reason sheds on our path is a ray of His kindling. But here, in this world of ours, there are generally intermediate sources through which the light we... [ Continue Reading ]
_Thy people also shall be all righteous_ THE PEOPLE OF GOD CONSIDERED AS RIGHTEOUS I. AS THEY ARE ALL INTERESTED IN THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF CHRIST JESUS. II. AS BY THE INFLUENCES OF THE HOLY SPIRIT, THEY HAVE AN INHERENT RIGHTEOUSNESS WROUGHT IN THEM. III. BY ABOUNDING IN WORKS OF RIGHTEOUSNESS TO... [ Continue Reading ]
_A little one shall become a thousand_ THE AMPLITUDE OF THE CHURCH The Church of Christ has been often subject to persecution in past ages; but at a future time it will obtain general protection and patronage. I. THE IMPORT OF THE PROPHECY. After a careful examination of the text in connection wi... [ Continue Reading ]