Isaiah 51:1,2

In opening this Chapter, and listening to the call of God in this verse, I beg to remind the Reader of the observations at the close of Isaiah 46:1, for this is but a continuation of the same gracious subject. Indeed, the Prophet may be considered, from the beginning of Isaiah 40:1, to the close of his prophecy, to be preaching but one and the same sermon. The text is Christ, and the whole subject is Christ, and no other. In these verses, the people, who are seeking after the Lord, are spoken to, and particularly directed, with a view to find him, to consider what they are in themselves, that they may be the better prepared to know what the Lord is in himself, and what he is to his people. This divine teaching was what Jesus told his disciples, the Holy Ghost would accomplish upon the hearts of the people. He shall convince, said Jesus, of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment. And this corresponds with what is here said, of looking unto Abraham and Sarah; that is, looking so unto them, as, in their nothingness and original sinfulness, to trace our own; and to let God have, what is his most just due, all the glory of our conversion. For Abraham, the great father of the faithful, was originally an idolater; and Sarah a daughter of Eve: and both were of that stock, of whom it is truly said, there is none that doeth good, no not one. Hence, therefore, when the Lord commands his people, who are following after righteousness, and seeking the Lord, to look back, and to look in, it is in order that they may look up to Him, from whom alone cometh every good and every perfect gift. Reader! you and I shall never be able rightly to value the Lord's righteousness, until convinced that we have none of our own: then Jesus will be indeed precious as a Saviour, when we feel, and know, and are convinced, that we are poor lost sinners. Genesis 11:31; Romans 4:1; Joh 16:7-8; 1 Peter 2:7.