_The Spirit of the Lord is upon me_ To qualify me for effecting what
is foretold and promised in the foregoing chapter. As Christ has
applied this passage to himself, (see Luke 4:16,) and assured us that
it was fulfilled in him, we may, with the utmost reason, conclude that
he is here introduced by... [ Continue Reading ]
_And the day of vengeance of our God_ Namely, on those who reject or
neglect these gracious offers of mercy and salvation: they shall not
only be left in their captivity, as they deserve to be, but shall be
dealt with as enemies. We have the gospel summed up, Mark 16:16, where
that part of it, _he t... [ Continue Reading ]
_They shall build the old wastes_ See on chap. 58:12. As this is
evidently to be understood of gospel times, the meaning seems to be,
that the establishment of Christianity in the world should repair the
decays of true religion, of genuine piety and virtue, which had been
at a very low ebb, not only... [ Continue Reading ]
_But ye shall be named the Priests_, &c. The whole body of you shall
now be as near to God as the priests were formerly, and shall be a
royal priesthood, 1 Peter 2:9. This is most certainly true of all the
faithful under the gospel; hence they have also their spiritual
sacrifices, Romans 12:1; Hebre... [ Continue Reading ]
_For I the Lord love judgment_ I will do them right, for I love
justice in myself, and in them that practise it. _I hate robbery for
burnt- offerings_ I hate all things gotten by injustice, though they
be for sacrifice. As God will not accept of that which cost nothing,
so much less of that which is... [ Continue Reading ]
_I will greatly rejoice in the Lord_ This is spoken in the person of
the church, wherein she thankfully acknowledges God's kindness to her
in the fore-mentioned promises. _My soul shall be joyful in my God_
The expression here is varied, but the sense is the same with that in
the former clause. _He... [ Continue Reading ]
_For as the earth bringeth forth_, &c. By this and the other metaphor
here used, the church shows, not only the revival and restoration of
her blessings, after they had been, as it were, dead and lost in the
winter of affliction, but the great plenty and abundance of them that
should spring forth an... [ Continue Reading ]