_ISAIAH COMPLAINETH OF JUDAH FOR HER REBELLION: HE LAMENTETH HER JUDGMENTS: HE UPBRAIDETH HER WHOLE SERVICE: HE EXHORTETH TO REPENTANCE, WITH PROMISES AND THREATENINGS. BEWAILING HER WICKEDNESS, HE DENOUNCETH GOD'S JUDGMENTS: HE PROMISETH GRACE, AND THREATENETH DESTRUCTION TO THE WICKED._ _Before... [ Continue Reading ]
THE VISION OF ISAIAH, &C.— I divide the book of Isaiah, says Vitringa, into the title prefixed to the book, and the matter contained in it. The matter is twofold, prophetical and historical, which are interwoven together. The _prophetical_ is divided into five parts; the first of which, from the 1st... [ Continue Reading ]
HEAR, O HEAVENS, &C.— We have observed, that this first part of the book of Isaiah is comprehended in five sermons to the Jews; the first of which is contained in this chapter, the second in the Chapter s ii, iii, 4: the third in chap. 5: the fourth in chap. 6: the fifth in chap. 7:—xii. The first s... [ Continue Reading ]
CHILDREN THAT ARE CORRUPTERS—HAVE PROVOKED, &C.— Or, _Children that corrupt themselves—have contemptuously treated the Holy One of Israel;_ &c.... [ Continue Reading ]
_ISAIAH 1:5_. _Why should ye be stricken,_ &c. From the 4th to the 6th verse the prophet describes the mortal state of the people who had apostatized from God, and continued obstinate in that apostacy; and from thence to the 10th verse, their external or natural state. The metaphors here used are i... [ Continue Reading ]
YOUR COUNTRY, &C.— Or, _Your land is become a desolation: your cities are burned with fire; your ground strangers eat up before you; and the desolation is as if it were destroyed by an inundation._ See Lowth.... [ Continue Reading ]
A LODGE IN A GARDEN OF CUCUMBERS, &C.— See Job 27:18.... [ Continue Reading ]
HEAR THE WORD OF THE LORD, &C.— The singular wickedness of the inhabitants of Sodom and Gomorrah was so enormous, that it was at last used as a proverbial expression, to convey the idea of the most black and incorrigible wickedness. The preceding words, which shew that the people of Sodom and Gomorr... [ Continue Reading ]
TO WHAT PURPOSE, &C.— This is a strong remonstrance against the hypocritical services of the Jews; very plainly declaring to them, that all external services, administered with a bad heart, so far from pleasing, are detestable to God. See Proverbs 21:27. To whom, says Bishop Warburton, are these wor... [ Continue Reading ]
RELIEVE THE OPPRESSED— Or, _Reform what is amiss._ Bochart.... [ Continue Reading ]
HOW IS THE FAITHFUL CITY BECOME AN HARLOT— Though the Lord, in the preceding part of the chapter, had suggested to the wicked and the hypocrites a method of returning to his favour, yet he foresaw that they would not hearken. He begins, therefore, afresh, (as if he repented of having indulged them s... [ Continue Reading ]
THEREFORE, &C.— Here begins the prediction of the events which should happen to this corrupt people. The _first_ of these are, the evils to be inflicted by the Babylonish captivity; the _second_ the purification of the church, Isaiah 1:25 the _third_ the restoration of their government, Isaiah 1:26... [ Continue Reading ]
PURELY PURGE AWAY THY DROSS— See Deuteronomy 2:3. The meaning of these words is, that God would purge the remains of Israel in banishment from the drops and dregs of hypocrites and profane men, and would restore them, thus purged, to their land; the government being entirely renewed under just judge... [ Continue Reading ]
THEY SHALL BE ASHAMED OF THE OAKS, &C.— The prophet here manifestly alludes to the ancient mode of idolatry in sacred groves and gardens, which consisted of tall, thick, and leafy trees, among which oaks were held in great honour from all antiquity. The 30th verse is remarkably elegant, where what w... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THE MAKER OF IT AS A SPARK— The prophet had explained the judgment of God upon the finally disobedient, as it principally concerned their spiritual state; he now subjoins another explanation, which chiefly respects their corporal afflictions. The words are elegant; and the meaning of them is, th... [ Continue Reading ]