Produced by John Hagerson and Mrs. Faith Ball TRANSCRIBER'S NOTES. - Technical note: This book makes heavy use of SMALL CAPS formatting. You may need to experiment with fonts and browsers until you see the words "small caps" formatted in SMALL CAPS. - This is a commentary on the first 39 chapters of the Biblical book of Isaiah. It was written to help ministers with their sermon preparation. Many of the thoughts presented are condensed from published sermons. The book is a collection of man's opinions on the inspired Word of God. The Transcriber does not necessarily agree with every opinion expressed. Among the disagreements are suggestions that the Church replaces Israel, or is "the true Israel," or that human effort has any effect on God's pacing of future events. Some of the opinions expressed are unapologetically anti-Roman Catholic or culturally insensitive. The book is a product of its time and place (late nineteenth century greater London). The U.S. conflict between North and South is still within memory and neither the great European wars to come, nor England's loss of her colonial possessions in India and Africa, nor the establishment of the State of Israel is even foreshadowed. - The page numbers in the first part of the book ("front-matter") and the last part of the book ("back-matter") were modified from unadorned Arabic numbers to make them unique. In this e-book, front-matter pages are identified by lower-cased Roman numbers and back-matter pages include the letter "A" (for "Appendix") and either an "L" or an "R" to identify the left or right column. The Appendix presents two translations of the whole book of Isaiah and two additional translations of the fifty-second and fifth-third chapters. - In the original, the outlines are generally in order by scripture reference and information in the page headers helps one find an outline related to any desired passage. Due to the length of the e-book, and the supplemental outlines added toward the end, the Transcriber has inserted a listing of outlines in sequential order by scripture reference after the Index of Subjects, Index of Authors, and table of Times, Seasons, and Occasions, and prior to the Introduction. - The footnotes in the text are identified by sequential lower-case Greek letters: É, Î, etc. The Transcriber has changed them to superscript bracketed numbers to comply with current use. In the main portion of the book, the "footnotes" were set in smaller type at the end of the respective outlines. In the Appendix, footnotes were set at the bottom of each page. The text and each footnote are hyperlinked both directions. - Certain long outlines (The Virgin's Son, The Burden of Dumah) and the Appendix were set almost entirely in footnote type to save page count. - The detailed list of Transcriber's changes is at the foot of the document. THE PREACHER'S COMPLETE HOMILETIC COMMENTARY ON THE BOOKS OF THE BIBLE WITH CRITICAL AND EXPLANATORY NOTES, INDEXES, ETC., BY VARIOUS AUTHORS THE OLD TESTAMENT _Volumes 1-21_ THE NEW TESTAMENT _Volumes 22-32_ Volume 15 The Preacher's Complete Homiletic COMMENTARY ON THE BOOK OF THE PROPHET Isaiah Volume I _By the_ REV. R. A. BERTRAM _and_ _The_ REV. ALFRED TUCKER [LOGO] PRINTED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA FUNK & WAGNALLS COMPANY NEW YORK PREFATORY NOTES. 1. In the preparation of this Commentary, my aim throughout has been evangelical and practical. A study of the Book of Isaiah suggests many historical, critical, and speculative questions, but these I have entirely disregarded. I have asked only, What messages from God has this inspired prophet for the men of this generation? What instruction has he to give us? What warnings? What encouragements? What consolations? To these questions I believe there are answers in the outlines I have myself prepared, and in those I have obtained from other sources. 2. As my work proceeded, my methods somewhat changed. I discovered that I had commenced the Commentary on too large a scale, and that it was in danger of becoming too large and costly. I therefore ceased to append illustrations to the outlines, and contented myself with giving references to illustrations in my _"Homiletic EncyclopÃ¦dia of Illustrations in Theology and Morals"_ and my _"Dictionary of Poetical Illustrations,"_ using for this purpose the letters H. E. I. and P. D. 3. I also ceased to prepare outlines on _all_ the texts, and limited myself to those most likely to be profitable to ordinary congregations. 4. As I proceeded, I also became more convinced that a book intended to be helpful to many minds should contain the best thoughts of many minds; and therefore, instead of preparing outlines which might be expanded into sermons, I condensed sermons preached by others into outlines. Remembering that I was working for ministers, I stripped the _thoughts_ contained in those sermons of most of their dress, and so the substance of a sermon of twenty pages was frequently placed on a page. The result is that in this volume a hundred and fifty students of Scripture--Episcopalians, Presbyterians, Congregationalists and Baptists--combine to offer to their brethren suggestions as to the best practical uses to which the writings of Isaiah may be put today. 5. On pp. 447-496 are some valuable outlines obtained too late for insertion in their proper places. Three of them are interesting specimens of Welsh preaching. CONTENTS. INDEX OF SUBJECTS. Advent Thoughts and Joys Adversity, The Bread of Afflicted, The Duty of the Afflictions of God's People, The Allotments of Land to the Poor Altar and a Saviour for Egypt, An Amusement, Earthly Apostates, The Doom of the Appeal and an Argument, An Appropriation, The Grand Ariel Art, The Noblest Assyrian, The Assyrian Invasion of Judah Atonement, The Babylon, The Doom of Beautiful Visions Exchanged for Realities Belief, The Restoration of Believer's Dignity and Power, The Blessed Life, A Blessedness of the Servant of God, The Blind Leaders Book That Will Bear Testing, A Call to the Careless, A Call to the Revolted, A Call to Study, A Canticle, A Sad Chambers of Safety Chastisement Cheering Words and Solemn Warnings Children of Babylon, Their Doom Children, Spare the Child-Training Christ a Tested Saviour Christ, Comfort in Christ, His Empire Christ, His Government Christ, His Name--"Wonderful" Christ, His Second Coming Christ, His Titles and Government Christ, His Triumphs Christ Our Counsellor Christ, The Ensign of the Nations Christ, The Everlasting Father Christ, The Healer and Joy-Giver Christ, The Mighty God Christ, The Prince of Peace Christ, The Reconciler of Men Christ a Righteous Judge Christ a Sure Foundation Christ, The Beauty of His Character Christ, Suretyship of Christian Liberality Christian's Refuge, The Church of Christ, Characteristics of the Church, Fiery Ordeal of Church, The Christian, A Continuation of the Jewish Cleaning for the Vilest Cleaning Spirit, The Comfort for the Desponding Comfort in Christ Command, A Plain Conqueror Conquered, The Consideration, Religious Controlling Fact, A Conversion, A Happy Cords and Cart-Ropes Cords of Vanity Counsel, A Threefold Counsellor, The Only Covetousness Cry for Help, A Curse Done Away, The Day of the Lord, The Day of Visitation, The Days of Deliverance Death and the Grave Death, Distress in Prospect of Death, Preparation for Death, The Contrasts of Deliverance, A Great Depravity, Total Depravity, Transmitted Despisers, The Doom of the Disabled Ship, The Discipline of Sin, The Divine Anger Divine Disappointments Divine Ideal of Israel Realised, The Divine Judgments, The Twofold Effect of Divine Patience, Trials of the Divine Salvation Rejected Dreaming Drink and Its Woes Drunkard, The Miseries of the Dumah, The Burden of Early Religious Training Earthly Song and the Heavenly Voice East Wind, The Day of the Encouragement for the Timid England's Crying Sin Evil-Doers, The Seed of Exiles' Return, The Faith's Impregnable Citadel Faith, The Condition of Firmness False Refuges Female Pride and Luxury Fears and Comforts Feast for Faith, A Festivity and Forgetfulness Foolish King and a Wise One, A Forgetfulness of God Forsaken of God Forsaking the Lord Gladness, The Duty of Glorifying God in the Fires God Avenging His Own Elect God Exalted in the Great Day God, His Goodness to the Church God's Gracious Invitation to Sinners God's Ideal of Goodness God's Invitation to Shelter God's Judgments God's Outstretched Hand God's Perpetual Presence with His People God's Promises God's Readiness to Listen to the Needy God's Reluctance to Punish God's Righteousness God Oppressed God Our Refuge or Our Ruin God, Two Constant Feelings in His Mind God's Outcasts God's People Forsaken Godly, Prospect of the Good and Evil, The Sin of Confounding Gospel, Future Triumphs of the Gospel, The Blessings of the Gospel Feast, The Gospel Trumpet, The Government, The Curse of a Weak Grave and its Mysteries, The Great Deliverance, A Great Dethronement, The Great Task, The Growing Light Guiding Voice, The "Hallowed Be Thy Name" Harvest, The Joy of the Haughtiness Heaven, The Happiness of Heedfulness Hezekiah's Prayer Hezekiah's Prudent Silence Hezekiah's Resolution Hezekiah's Song Hezekiah's Strength and Weakness Hezekiah Tried Holiness Accomplished, Peace Ordained Holiness, Man's, God's Workmanship Home Life and Influence Ignorance, The Evils of Illustrious Inhabitant, An Immanuel Impenitent, Certainty of the Destruction of the In Whom Art Thou Trusting? Inconsiderateness Incorrigible, Doom of the Iniquity a Burden Injustice, Legalised Instinct Followed, Reason Disregarded Intellectual Pride Isaiah, His Interview with Ahaz Isaiah, His Vision of the King and His Kingdom Isaiah, His Vision of God Isaiah, His Vision of the Last Days Isaiah, The Evangelical Prophet Israel, Future Prosperity of Israel, God's Indictment against Israel, The Doom of Impenitent Joy of Salvation, The Joy of the Meek Joy Religious Just Man's Security, The King in Trouble, A Knowledge of God Knowledge of God, Importance of Religious Language, Its Influence on Character Latter-Day Glory, The Law and the Testimony, The Leadership Life, Its Diminutions and Changes Life, The Shortening of Light of the Lord, The Lip Service Instead of Heart Worship Littles, The Power of Maher-Shalal-Hash-Baz Man's Imagined Independence of God Man's Insignificance and God's Supremacy Man Proposes, God Disposes Material and the Mortal, The Memorable Answer, A Messengers Wanted Messiah, The Glory of the Ministerial Duty, Some Aspects of Ministerial Fidelity, Dislike to Missionary Success, The Essential Condition of Mockery, Irreligious Momentous Decisions Momentous Inquiry, A Money, The Love of Moral Ablution Moral Declension Moral History of a Rising Soul, The Moral Obduracy Moral Perversity Moral Wilderness Transformed National Bereavement, Lessons from a National Greatness National Peace, The Gift of God National Revival National Ungodliness Necromancy Needless Stripes New Song for New Hearts, A Night and Morning Night Longings for God No Sickness There! Nobility and Security Opportunities, The Use of Oppressed and Their Relief, The Oppression of the Poor Our Trust and Our Test Parable of the Husbandman, The Parable of the Vineyard, The Peace, National Peace, Perfect Peace, The Work of Righteousness Peaceful Keeping Perversion of Right and Wrong Piety, Irreligious Pleader and the Judge, The Politicians, Biblical Praise for Preservation Prayer, A Christian Prayer, A King's Prayer in Trouble Prayer, Reasons for the Rejection of Privileges, Great Prophecy the Voice of God Prophet of the Lord, The Prophet's Call, The Prophet's Mission, Duration of the Protecting Hand, The Providence Public Worship, The Possibilities of Punishment of the Wicked, The Punishment, The Purpose of Purposes and Panics Quietness, Christian Quietness, Strength in Rabshakehs, Modern Recompense, The Great Law of Recovery from Sickness Redemption, The Divine Idea of Rejected Sacrifices Rejection of Divine Truth, The Religion, True and False Remnants of Society, The Retirement, Religious Revelation of God, The Rivers, Enriching Rivers of Waters Road to the City, The Saint's Attitude in Time of Trouble Sanctuary in God Scepticism Self-Conceit Self-Scrutiny in God's Presence Sensuality Sentence of Doom, A Seraphim, The Shameless Sinners Short Bed and the Narrow Covering, The Sick and Dying, Duties of the Sickness, Recovery from Sight of God and a Sense of Sin, A Sin and Grace Sin, Its Destructiveness Sin, The Origin and End of Sinner's Danger and Refuge, The Sinners Self-Destroyed Social Regeneration Sodom and Gomorrah Solemn Disclaimer, A Song to the Vineyard, A Sorrow, The Banishment of Spirit of the Lord, The Spiritual Husbandry Spiritual Usurpers Renounced Spirituality of the Divine Nature, The Spreading the Letter before the Lord Stability through Faith Startling Charge, A Statesmen, The Death of Stone of Stumbling, The Storms of Life, The Strange and Sad Errand, A Stream Rejected for the River, The Suffering, Unsanctified Submission under God's Rebuke Summons to Jerusalem, The Supplications, Fruitless Taking Hold of God's Strength Teachers of Truth, Their Duty in Times of National Perversion Terrible Picture, A Terrible Resolve, A Things To Be Considered Thoughtlessness Threatened, But Safe Tophet Ordained of Old Tow and the Spark, The Transformation Trinity in Unity, The Trumpet, The Great Trust and Trials Unbelief, The Inexcusableness of Vanity of Earthly Help in Time of Trial Virgin's Son, The Volunteer Service Waiting, Divine and Human Waiting on God War Waters of Shiloah, The Wells of Salvation Wild Grapes Wise Lessons from Wicked Lips World, A Sorrowless World's Misery, The Remedy of the Worthless Husks Wrong Names, The Sin of Using Zion, The Controversy of Zion, The Futility of Fighting Against INDEX OF AUTHORS. Abbott, J. S. C. Adams, W. Adeney, W. F. Alexander, Dr. Ambrose, William Anderson, James Anderson, Dr. W. Barfield, A. F. Barry, Bishop Bateman, Josiah Bather, Archdeacon Baxendale, Walter Beecher, Henry Ward Bennett, Dr. Bertram, R. A. Bingham, R. Blomfield, Bishop Blunt, H. Boone, J. S. Bradley, Charles Brathwaite, M. Brierley, J. Brooke, Stopford A. Brooks, William Buckingham, S. G. Bunting, Dr. Burns, Dr. Jabez Burrows, W. Bushnell, Dr. Butler, William Archer Cheever, Dr. Clark, George Clayton, G. Clemance, Dr. Close, Dean Cooper, Edward Corbin, John Cowles, Dr. Creswell, Henry Crow, E. Currie, D. D. Davies, Samuel Dowling, J. G. Edmond, Dr. Emmons, Dr. Erskine, Ralph Exell, J. S. Forrest, R. W. Foster, John Fraser, Bishop Fuller, Andrew Gerard, Dr. Gibson, A. Gilfillan, G. Goodwin, H. Goulburn, Dean Griffin, E. Guinness, H. G. Gurney, J. H. Guthrie, William Hall, Robert Hancock, W. Hare, Julius Charles Harris, W. Hawes, Dr. Heber, Reginald Hobart, Dr. Holdeck, Dr. Hood, E. Paxton Hubbard, W. Irons, Joseph James, John Angell Jay, William Johnson, John Johnston, John Jonas, William Jupe, Charles Kennedy, Dr. Kennicott, Dr. Kidd, Thornhill Kollock, Dr. Lewis, Dr. Liddon, Canon Lilley, J. Osborne Logan, John Lyth, Dr. Macculloch, R. Maclaren, A. Magie, Dr. Manning, W. Marriott, John Mathew, G. Maurice, F. D. McAuslane, Dr. Melvill, H. Miall, G. R. Milne, John Milner, Dr. Moore, Charles Monks, Richard Monod, Horace Morgan, James Neave, Thomas Nesbit, R. Newman, John Henry Norton, John N. Oliver, T. Packer, John Parker, Dr. Parkes, William Parkman, R. C. Piele, Dr. Pott, J. H. Pratten, B. P. Punshon, Dr. Rawlinson, John Reeve, William Roberts, Arthur Roberts, William Robins, S. Robjohns, H. T. Salomon, G. Scott, Adam Shedd, Dr. Sherman, J. Sherwood, J. M. Shuttleworth, Dr. Simcock, J. Macrae Skelton Smith, George Spencer, Thomas Spurgeon, C. H. Statham, W. M. "Stems and Twigs" Stirling, J. Storrs, Dr. Superville, Daniel de Talmage, Dr. Taylor. Dr. W. M. Thodey, Samuel Thomas, Dr. David Thompson, B. Tucker, Dr. Villiers, H. M. Walker, H. F. Watson, Richard Watt, John Wood, J. R. Woodford, J. R. TIMES, SEASONS, AND OCCASIONS. Advent Sermons Bible Society Sermon Christmas Sermons Death of a Statesman Easter Sunday First Sunday of the Year Freehold Land Society Sermon Funeral Sermon Harvest Thanksgiving Last Sermon of the Year Missionary Sermons Ordination or Visitation Sermons Parliamentary Election Sermon Peace Society Sermons Seamen, Sermon to Sunday-School Anniversary Temperance Sermons Thanksgiving Sermon Time of National Distress Trinity Sunday Whitsuntide TEXTS. i. 1. The Prophet of the Lord i. 2. Prophecy the Voice of God i. 2, 3. An Appeal and an Argument i. 2-6. God's Indictment against Israel i. 3. Thoughtlessness Inconsiderateness Things to be Considered Religious Consideration Instinct Followed--Reason Disregarded i. 4. Iniquity a Burden Transmitted Depravity Forsaking the Lord i. 5. Moral Obduracy Needless Stripes i. 5-8. Total Depravity i. 9. God's Reluctance to Punish i. 10. The Summons to Jerusalem i. 11. Rejected Sacrifices i. 11, 16, 17. True and False Religion i. 13. The Possibilities of Public Worship i. 14. God Oppressed i. 15. Worthless Husks Reasons for the Rejection of Prayer A Startling Charge i. 16. Moral Ablution A Plain Command i. 17. The Great Task The Noblest Art The Oppressed and Their Relief God's Ideal of Goodness i. 18. God's Gracious Invitation to Sinners Cleansing for the Vilest Comfort for the Desponding Sin and Grace Self-scrutiny in God's Presence i. 19-20. Sinners Self-destroyed i. 20. The Certainty of the Destruction of the Impenitent i. 21-23. Moral Declension i. 21. An Illustrious Inhabitant i. 22. The Possible Degeneracy of Valuable Things i. 24. A Terrible Resolve i. 24-27. The Purpose of Punishment i. 25, 26. The Divine Idea of Redemption i. 26. Social Regeneration i. 27, 28. The Twofold Effect of Divine Judgments i. 28. Forsaking the Lord i. 28-31. The Doom of the Apostates i. 31. The Tow and the Spark ii. 1-5. Isaiah's Vision of the Last Days ii. 2-5. The Latter-Day Glory ii. 2. The Future Triumphs of the Gospel ii. 4. The Cessation of War ii. 5. The Light of the Lord The Walk of the Soul in the Light of the Lord ii. 6-22. A Terrible Picture Heb. xiii. 5, ii. 6. God's People Forsaken ii. 6. Forsaken of God ii. 6-9. The Material and the Moral ii. 10. The Sinner's Danger and Refuge ii. 17. God Exalted in the Great Day ii. 18. The Great Dethronement ii. 22. Man's Insignificance and God's Supremacy Lessons from a National Bereavement iii. 1-3. The Death of Statesmen iii. 1-8. National Greatness iii. 9. Shameless Sinners iii. 10, 11. Cheering Words and Solemn Warnings The Great Law of Recompense iii. 12. The Curse of a Weak Government Blind Leaders iii. 15. Oppression of the Poor iii. 13-15. The Pleader and the Judge iii. 16, 17. Haughtiness iii. 16--iv. 1. Female Pride and Luxury iv. 1. The Desolating and Disorganising Power of War iv. 2-6. The Divine Ideal of Israel Realised iv. 2-5. God's Perpetual Presence with His People iv. 4. The Cleansing Spirit v. 1-7. The Parable of the Vineyard The Parable of the Vineyard Great Privileges v. 2. Divine Disappointments v. 4. The Inexcusability and Hopelessness of Unbelief v. 4-6. A Sad Canticle v. 7, 8. On the Advantage of Small Allotments of Land to the Poor v. 8-21. Wild Grapes v. 8-10. Covetousness v. 8. God's Curse on the Covetous v. 11. The Miseries of the Drunkard v. 11-17. National Ungodliness v. 11, 12. Sensuality v. 12. Earthly Amusement Festivity and Forgetfulness v. 13-15. The Evils of Ignorance v. 14, 15. Death and the Grave v. 18. Cords of Vanity Cords and Cart-Ropes v. 19. Scepticism v. 20. The Influence of Language on Character The Sin of Confounding Good and Evil On the Perversion of Right and Wrong The Sin of Using Wrong Names Moral Perversity v. 21. Self-Conceit Intellectual Pride v. 22. The Woe of the Drunkard The Woe of the Drunkard Drink and Its Woes v. 24. The Doom of Despisers v. 24-30. The Doom of Impenitent Israel vi. 1-12. The Prophet's Call vi. 1, 2, 5-7. The Service of the Seraphim vi. 1-3. The Trinity in Unity vi. 1-5. Revelations of God vi. 1-7. Isaiah's Vision vi. 1-2. The Seraphim vi. 2. A Glorious Example vi. 2-4. The Seraphim and Their Song vi. 5-7. A Sight of God and a Sense of Sin vi. 5-8. The Moral History of a Rising Soul vi. 8. Volunteer Service Messengers Wanted vi. 9, 10. A Strange and Sad Errand The Rejection of Divine Truth vi. 11-13. The Duration of the Prophet's Mission vii. 1-9. Fears and Comforts Faith's Impregnable Citadel vii. 1, 2. Purpose and Panics vii. 3-25. Isaiah's Interview with Ahaz vii. 4. A Threefold Counsel Heedfulness vii. 9. Faith, The Condition of Firmness Stability through Faith vii. 12. Man's Imagined Independence of God Momentous Decisions Irreligious Piety vii. 13. Trials of the Divine Patience vii. 13-16. The Virgin's Son vii. 14. Immanuel vii. 15. The Great Object of Child-Training vii. 17-25. A Sentence of Doom viii. 1-4. Maher-Shalal-Hash-Baz viii. 5-8. The Stream Rejected for the River viii. 6-8. The Waters of Shiloah viii. 9, 10. Threatened, But Safe viii. 11-15. Biblical Politicians viii. 13. "Hallowed Be Thy Name" viii. 14. God Our Refuge, or Our Ruin The Stone of Stumbling Sanctuary in God viii. 16-18. The Duty of Teachers of Truth in Times of National Perversion viii. 17. Waiting on the Lord in Desertion and Gloom Penitential Waiting on God viii. 19-22. Necromancy viii. 20. The Law and the Testimony viii. 21, ix. 13. Unsanctified Suffering ix. 2-7. The Remedy of the World's Misery ix. 3. The Joy of Harvest ix. 6. The Titles and Government of Christ The Government of Christ His Name . . . Wonderful Christ our Counsellor The Mighty God The Everlasting Father The Prince of Peace ix. 7. The Empire of Christ The Security for the Fulfilment of God's Promises ix. 8-x. 4. The Outstretched Hand of God ix. 10. Wise Lessons from Wicked Lips ix. 14. The Duty of the Afflicted ix. 15, 16. Leadership ix. 17. Two Constant Feelings in the Mind of God Divine Anger ix. 19. The Destructiveness of Sin x. 1-4. Legalised Injustice x. 3. The Day of Visitation x. 5-34. The Assyrian Invasion of Judah The Assyrian x. 7-15. Man Proposes, God Disposes x. 20. A Happy Conversion x. 20-23. The Remnants of Society xi. and xii. Isaiah's Vision of the King and His Kingdom xi. 2. The Spirit of the Lord xi. 3. The Righteous Judge xi. 9. The Universal Diffusion and Redemptive Power of the Knowledge of God The Diffusion of the Knowledge of God xi. 10. The Ensign of the Nations xi. 10-16. The Reconciler of Men xii. 1. A New Song for New Hearts xii. 3. Wells of Salvation xii. 6. The Duty of Gladness xiii. 1. The Proud City Doomed xiii. 6. The Day of the Lord xiii. 16. The Doom of the Children of Babylon xiii. 17. The Love of Money xiii. 18. Spare the Children xiii. 19. Sodom and Gomorrah xiv. 3, 4. The Joy of Salvation xiv. 9-12. The Grave and Its Mysteries xiv. 11. The Contrasts of Death The Conqueror Conquered xiv. 20. The Seed of Evildoers xiv. 32. A Memorable Answer xvi. 4. God's Outcasts xvi. 12. Fruitless xvii. 5-7. Diminutions and Changes of Life xvii. 7, 8. Sanctified Affliction xvii. 10, 11. Forgetfulness of God xvii. 12. The Punishment of the Wicked xix. 1-3, 14. True National Greatness xix. 18-20. An Altar and a Saviour for Egypt xix. 27 Chastisement xxi. 11, 12. The Burden of Dumah Night and Morning A Momentous Inquiry xxi. 15. The Grievousness of War xxii. 18. The Irresistibleness of God's Judgments xxii. 24. The Glory of the Messiah xxiv. 15. Glorifying God in the Fires xxv. 1. The Grand Appropriation xxv. 6-8. The Gospel Feast The Blessings of the Gospel xxv. 8. The Triumphs of Christ A Sorrowless World xxv. 9. Advent Thoughts and Joys xxv. 10. The Protecting Hand xxvi. 1-2. Days of Deliverance xxvi. 3-4. Perfect Peace Peaceful Keeping xxvi. 7. The Righteousness of God and His People The Just Man's Security xxvi. 8. The Way of God's Judgments xxvi. 8, 9. Trust and Trials xxvi. 9. Night Longings for God The Necessity and Profitableness of Chastisement xxvi. 9, 10. The Use and Abuse of the Judgments of God xxvi. 12. National Peace the Gift of God Holiness Accomplished, Peace Ordained Man's Holiness, God's Workmanship xxvi. 13, 14. Spiritual Usurpers Renounced xxvi. 16. Prayer in Trouble xxvi. 19. National Revival xxvi. 20. God's Invitation to Shelter Chambers of Safety Religious Retirement xxvii. 2, 3. God's Goodness to the Church The Song to the Vineyard xxvii. 4, 5. A Solemn Disclaimer xxvii. 5. Taking Hold of God's Strength xxvii. 6. The Future Prosperity of Israel xxvii. 8. The Day of the East Wind The Storms of Life xxvii. 7-9. The Afflictions of God's People xxvii. 9. The Discipline of Sin xxvii. 10, 11. The Doom of the Incorrigible xxvii. 13. The Gospel Trumpet The Great Trumpet xxviii. 1-4. England's Crying Sin xxviii. 5, 6. The Believer's Dignity and Power xxviii. 9, 10. Early Religious Training xxviii. 10. The Power of Littles xxviii. 12. Rejecters of the Gospel Admonished xxviii. 16. The Sure Foundation Our Trust and Our Test A Tested Saviour xxviii. 17. False Refuges xxviii. 18. False Refuges xxviii. 20. The Short Bed and the Narrow Covering xxviii. 22. Irreligious Mockery xxviii. 24, 25. The Parable of the Husbandman xxviii. 29. A Feast for Faith xxix. 1. Ariel xxix. 7, 8. Dreaming xxix. 8. Awakened from the Dream The Futility of Fighting against Mount Zion xxix. 13, 14. Lip-Service Instead of Heart-Worship xxix. 19. The Joy of the Meek Religious Joy xxx. 1-3. The Origin and the End of Sin xxx. 7. Strength in Quietness Some Aspects of Ministerial Duty xxx. 9-11. Dislike to Ministerial Fidelity xxx. 15. Christian Quietness xxx. 15, 16. The Vanity of Earthly Help in Time of Trial, and the Profit of Patient Waiting xxx. 15-17. Divine Salvation Rejected xxx. 18. Waiting, Divine and Human Waiting for the Lord xxx. 19. God's Readiness to Listen to the Needy xxx. 20, 21. The Bread of Adversity xxx. 21. The Guiding Voice xxx. 25, 26. Rivers of Waters xxx. 26. Growing Light xxx. 29-33. The Earthly Song and the Heavenly Voice xxx. 33. Tophet Ordained of Old xxxi. 1-3. The Only Counsellor xxxi. 3. The Spirituality of the Divine Nature xxxi. 6. A Call to the Revolted xxxi. 9. The Fiery Ordeal of the Church xxxii. 2. The Preciousness of Christ The Christian's Refuge Rivers of Water in a Dry Place Comfort in Christ xxxii. 8. Christian Liberality xxxii. 11. A Call to the Careless xxxii. 13-15. The Essential Condition of Missionary Success xxxii. 15. The Moral Wilderness Transformed xxxii. 17. Peace the Work of Righteousness xxxii. 18. The Peaceful Habitation xxxii. 20. Spiritual Husbandry The Use of Opportunities xxxiii. 1. Providence xxxiii. 2. The Saint's Attitude in the Time of Trouble xxxiii. 6. The Importance of Religious Knowledge xxxiii. 7-12. God Avenging His Own Elect xxxiii. 15-17. A Blessed Life xxxiii. 15, 16. Nobility and Security xxxiii. 16. The Blessedness of the Servant of God xxxiii. 17. The Prospect of the Godly The Beauty of Christ's Character xxxiii. 20. Characteristics of the Church of Christ xxxiii. 21. Enriching Rivers xxxiii. 22. A Controlling Fact The Atonement; or, Salvation Consistent with the Regal and Judicial Character of God xxxiii. 23. The Disabled Ship xxxiii. 24. No Sickness There Recovery from Sickness xxxiv. 8. The Controversy of Zion xxxiv. 16. A Call to Study The Book That Will Endure Testing xxxiv. 16, 17. The Certainty of God's Judgments xxxv. 1, 2, 7. Transformation xxxv. 3, 4. Encouragement for the Timid xxxv. 5, 6. The Healer and Joy-Giver The Curse Done Away xxxv. 7. Beautiful Visions Exchanged for Realities xxxv. 8-10. The Exiles' Return The Road to the City xxxv. 10. The Happiness of Heaven The Banishment of Sorrow xxxvi. 4. Modern Rabshakehs, And Their Attempts to Terrify God's People into a Humble Surrender xxxvi. 5. In Whom Art Thou Trusting? xxxvi. 21. Hezekiah's Prudent Silence xxxvii. 1. A Foolish King and a Wise One xxxvii. 14. A King in Trouble Spreading the Letter before the Lord xxxvii. 15-20. A King's Prayer xxxvii. 20. A Christian Prayer xxxvii. 31. The Christian Church a Continuation of the Jewish xxxviii. 1-19. Hezekiah's Prayer xxxviii. 1. Preparation for Death Duties of the Sick and Dying xxxviii. 2, 3. Distress in Prospect of Death xxxviii. 10. The Shortening of Human Life xxxviii. 14. A Cry for Help The Suretyship of Christ xxxviii. 15-20. Hezekiah's Resolution xxxviii. 15. The Restoration of Belief xxxviii. 17. A Great Deliverance Forgiveness of Sin xxxviii. 18, 19. The Song of Hezekiah xxxviii. 19. Praise for Preservation xxxix. 1, 2. Hezekiah's Strength and Weakness xxxix. 4. Home Life and Influence xxxix. 8. Hezekiah Tried Submission Under God's Rebuke APPENDIX. - Introduction - Alexander's translation of Isaiah - Delitzsch's translation of Isaiah - Calkins' translation of Isaiah lii. 12-liii. - Urwick's translation of Isaiah lii. 12-liii. ISAIAH. INTRODUCTION. Of Isaiah, "the evangelical prophet," nothing is _known_ beyond what we are told of him in the Scriptures. Various traditions concerning him are current among the Jews, such as that his father Amoz was brother of King Amaziah, and that he himself died a martyr's death, being sawn asunder by order of Manasseh; but all that is _certain_ is, that he was the son of Amoz; that his prophetic ministry commenced in the reign of Uzziah, and closed in that of Hezekiah (ch. i. 1); that his wife was a prophetess (ch. viii. 3), and bare him two sons (ch. vi. 3; viii. 3); and that he was the author of a portion of the Chronicles of the Kings of Judah (2 Chron. xxvi. 22). His name signifies _The Salvation of the Lord,_ and this--_the salvation which God works for His people from their sins and consequent misery_--is the great, though not the exclusive, theme of his prophecy. The length of his ministry is variously estimated. The lowest estimate would make it comprise forty-nine years, from the last year of Uzziah to the seventeenth of Hezekiah (B.C. 759-710); the highest, sixty-four years, from the fourth year before Uzziah's death to the last year of Hezekiah (B.C. 762-698). In the following Commentary it is assumed that the whole of the sixty-six chapters of which the Book of Isaiah is composed, were written by one pen. For clear and conclusive refutations of the theory of a second Isaiah, see the introductions to the Commentaries of Alexander, Delitsch, and Kay, and the article ISAIAH in Smith's, Kitto's, and Fairbairn's _Dictionaries of the Bible._ Appended are Ewald's criticisms on Isaiah's style,[1] and some admirable observations by Dr. Kay on the _title_ of Isaiah's prophecy, which readers of it will do to bear in mind throughout.[2] FOOTNOTES. [1] In Isaiah we see prophetic authorship reaching its culminating point. Everything conspired to raise him to an elevation which no prophet before or after could as writer attain. Among the other prophets, each of the more important ones is distinguished by some one particular excellence, and some one particular talent. In Isaiah all kinds of talent, and all beauties of prophetic discourse, meet together, so as mutually to temper and qualify each other; it is not so much any single feature that distinguished him as the symmetry and perfection of the whole. We cannot fail to assume, as the first condition of Isaiah's particular historical greatness, a native power, and a vivacity of spirit which, even among prophets, is seldom to be met with. It is but rarely that we see combined in one and the same spirit the three several characteristics of--first, the most profound prophetic excitement and the purest sentiment; next, the most indefatigable and successful practical activity amidst all perplexities and changes of outward life; and, thirdly, that facility and beauty in representing thought which is the characteristic of the genuine poet; but this threefold combination we find realised in Isaiah as in no other prophet; and form the traces which we can perceive of the unceasing joint-working of these three powers, we must draw our conclusions as to the original greatness of his genius. But as prophet and as author, Isaiah stands upon that calm, sunny height, which in each several branch of ancient literature one eminently favoured spirit at the right time takes possession of; which seems, as it were, to have been waiting for _him;_ and which, when he has come and mounted the ascent, seems to keep and guard him to the last as its own right man. In the sentiments which he expresses, in the topics of his discourses, and in the manner of expression, Isaiah uniformly reveals himself as the kingly prophet. In reference to the last-named point, it cannot be said that his method of elaborating thought is elaborate and artificial: it rather shows a lofty simplicity and an unconcern about external attractiveness, abandoning itself freely to the leading and requirement of each several thought; but, nevertheless, it always rolls along in a full stream which overpowers all resistance, and never fails at the right place to accomplish at every turn its object without toil or effort. The progress and development of the discourse is always majestic, achieving much with few words, which, though short, are yet clear and transparent; an overflowing fulness of thought, which might readily lose itself in the vast and indefinite, but which always at the right time with tight rein collects and tempers its exuberance; to the bottom exhausting the thought and completing the utterance, and yet never too diffuse. This severe self-control is the most admirably seen in those shorter utterances which by briefly-sketched images and thoughts give us the vague apprehension of something infinite, whilst, nevertheless, they stand before us complete in themselves and clearly delineated; _e.g._, viii. 6--ix. 6, xiv. 23-32, xviii. 1-7, xxi. 11, 12; while in the long piece, xxviii.-xxxii., if the composition here and there for a moment languishes, it is only to lift itself again afresh with all the greater might. In this rich and thickly-crowded fulness of thought and word it is but seldom that the simile which is employed appears apart, to set forth and complete itself (xxxi. 4, 5); in general, it crowds into the delineation of the object which it is meant to illustrate, and is swallowed up in it,--ay, and frequently simile after simile; and yet the many threads of the discourse, which for a moment appeared ravelled together, soon disentangle themselves into perfect clearness;--a characteristic which belongs to this prophet alone, a freedom of language which with no one else so easily succeeds. The versification, in like manner, is always full, and yet strongly marked: while, however, this prophet is so little concerned about anxiously weighing out to each verse its proper number of words, not unfrequently he repeats the same word in two members (xxxi. 8, xxxii. 17, xi. 5, xix. 13), as if, with so much power and beauty in the matter within, he did not so much require a painstaking finish in the outside. The structure of the strophe is always easy and beautifully rounded. Still the main point lies here,--that we cannot in the case of Isaiah, as in that of other prophets, specify any particular peculiarity, or any favourite colour as attaching to his general style. _He is not the especially lyrical prophet, or the especially elegiacal prophet, or the especially oratorical and hortatory prophet, as we should describe a Joel, a Hosea, a Micah, with whom there is a greater prevalence of some particular colour; but, just as the subject requires, he has readily at command every several kind of style and every several change of delineation; and it is precisely this that, in point of language, establishes his greatness, as well as in general, forms out of his most towering points of excellence._ His only fundamental peculiarity is the lofty, majestic, calmness of his style, proceeding out of the perfect command which he feels he possesses over his subject matter. This calmness, however, no way demands that the strain shall not, when occasion required, be more vehemently excited, and assail the hearer with mightier blows; but even the extremest excitement, which does here and there intervene, is in the main bridled still by the same spirit of calmness, and, not overstepping the limits which that spirit assigns, it soon with lofty self-control returns to its wonted tone of equability (ii. 10--iii. 1, xxviii. 11-23, xxix. 9-14). Neither does this calmness in discourse require that the subject shall always be treated only in a plain level way, without any variation of form; rather, Isaiah shows himself master in just that variety of manner which suits the relation in which his hearers stand to the matter now in hand. If he wishes to bring home to their minds a distant truth which they like not to hear, and to judge them by a sentence pronounced by their own mouth, he retreats into a popular statement of a case drawn from ordinary life (v. 1-6, xxviii. 23-20). If he will draw the attention of the over wise to some new truth, or to some future prospect, he surprises them by a brief oracle clothed in an enigmatical dress, leaving it to their penetration to discover its solution (vii. 14-16, xxix. 1-8). When the unhappy temper of the people's minds which nothing can amend leads to loud lamentation, his speech becomes for a while the strain of elegy and lament (i. 21-23, xxii. 4, 5). Do the frivolous leaders of the people mock? he outdoes them at their own weapons, and crushes them under the fearful earnest of divine mockery (xxviii. 10-13). Even a single ironical word in passing will drop from the lofty prophet (xxvii. 3, _glory_). Thus his discourse varies into every complexion: _it is tender and stern, didactic and threatening, mourning and again exulting in divine joy, mocking and earnest;_ but ever at the right time it returns to its original elevation and repose, and never loses the clear ground-colour of its divine seriousness.--_Ewald, quoted in Smith's Dictionary of the Bible,_ vol. i. pp. 888, 889, article ISAIAH. [2] The title of the book is _"The_ VISION _of Isaiah,"_ which suggests these remarks-- (1.) Being a _vision,_ it will frequently speak of events that are yet future, as if they had already occurred. So in iii. 8: "Jerusalem _is ruined;_ Judah _is fallen."_ In v. 13: "Therefore my people _are gone into captivity._" (2.) What is seen in vision must be subject to the laws of _perspective._ One who views the snowy Alps from a distance may see two mountain peaks, which really are many miles apart, as one object. The illustration is imperfect; yet it may serve to explain how, to the eye of a seer, a nearer event may be blended with one that is _in the same direction, but vastly more remote;_ the type, for instance, melting into the antitype, or the interval between the first and second advents of the Messiah being indiscernible. (3.) It is, as a whole, _The Vision;_--_one_ vision. It consists, indeed, of various parts; yet from the very outset these represent the same _vision._ Judah _is rebellious; is sentenced to exile; is redeemed; is purified. These elements, on a large scale, compose the book as a whole;_ and, on a smaller scale, they compose the first chapter. The body is made up of portions similar in quality to itself, and to each other. The visions are greatly diversified in size, form, colouring, and other detail; but in essential characteristics it is one vision.--_Dr. Kay, in The Speaker's Commentary,_ vol. v. p. 19. THE PROPHET OF THE LORD. i. 1. _The vision of Isaiah the son of Amoz, which he saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem, in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah._ +I. The nature of the prophet's endowment:+ a "vision" into the very heart of things, a power of distinguishing between the seeming and the real. +II. The sadness and the joy of the prophet's life:+ sadness arising from his "vision" of human sin (vers. 2-15); joy arising from his "vision" of the wondrousness of the Divine mercy (ver. 18). _Application._--1. In these latter days the prophetic endowment, to a greater or lesser extent, is possessed by all God's people (1 John ii. 20). 2. The Church should pray that it may be possessed to the fullest extent by all who are called to minister in holy things. Prophets of clear and penetrating "vision" are among the greatest gifts which God can confer upon the Church.[1] 3. This great endowment must be used not merely for the detection and exposure of human sin, lest we become cynical and inhuman, but also for the discovery of the abounding evidence of the Divine compassion (as in v. 9), that we may be brought into more perfect sympathy with Him who hates sin but desires and seeks to save the sinner. FOOTNOTES. [1] A preacher who is not in some way a seer is not a preacher at all. You can never make people see religious realities by correct definitions. They will not believe in the reality of God on the word of a man who merely demonstrates it to them. You must see such things yourself if you are going to help others to see them. This is the secret of all the preaching that ever was good since preaching began.--_Beecher._ PROPHECY THE VOICE OF GOD. i. 2. _The Lord hath spoken._ Thus at the very outset of this book Divine authority is claimed for the utterances contained in it. Three views may be taken of the writings of the Hebrew prophets. 1. They are the writings of men who knew they were uttering that which is false when they claimed to be messengers of the Most High. 2. They are the writings of enthusiasts who mistook the ecstasies of their excited imaginations for Divine inspirations. 3. They are the writings of holy men who were inspired by the Holy Ghost. Against the first of these views is to be set the fact that the whole influence of the prophets was exerted on behalf of national righteousness and individual virtue; that for these things they suffered; that for these things some of them died. Is it credible that men who _so_ sought to promote _such_ ends would begin and continue their mission with a blasphemous lie? Against the second is to be set the fact that many of their predictions have been fulfilled--fulfilled after intervals, so long, and with such minute accuracy, that sceptics have sought to account for such fulfilments by asserting that the prophecies were written subsequently to the events to which they refer; an assertion which the most competent scholars repel even with contempt. There remains then only the third view; and in support of it may be urged--in addition to the _conclusive_ fact just named--such considerations as these: 1. That their conceptions of God and of human duty are such as to satisfy the loftiest demands of the most enlightened reason and the best instructed conscience. Give examples (ch. xl. 12-26; lviii. 3-7, &c.) 2. That their conceptions of God and of human duty have not been surpassed by those of the sublimest poets or the ablest philosophers of any subsequent age. 3. That their sublime conceptions of God and of human duty, which still stand as the Alps or Himalaya of human thought, were given to the world in an age when, with the exception only of the prophets and those who accepted their teaching, the whole human race was given over to the most debasing idolatries and superstitions. 4. That the Hebrew prophets stood out in regard to these conceptions not only distinct from the men of their own age, but from the men of their own nation, from whom they had only words of rebuke, and against whose most cherished convictions and steadfast tendencies they set themselves in resolute opposition. Give examples (ch. i. 11-15; lxvi. 1, 2, &c.) If due weight be given to these considerations, we shall see that there is no escape from the conclusion that the Hebrew prophets owed their conceptions of God and duty to God Himself. They spake and wrote as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. If this be so, then--1. We should earnestly study the prophetic utterances. How mentally as well as morally debased is the man who is not alert and concerned to hear and understand what "the LORD hath spoken"! 2. Such of their utterances as are predictive should kindle within us confident and joyful hopes. They are the promises of Him who cannot lie, and who has ample power to perform. 3. To those which are preceptive we should give prompt, comprehensive, and careful obedience. To withhold such obedience, is to array against ourselves omnipotent power; to yield it, is to secure for ourselves eternal rewards (ch. iii. 10, 11). AN APPEAL AND AN ARGUMENT. i. 2, 3. _Hear, O heavens; and give ear, O earth: for the Lord hath spoken, I have nourished and brought up children, and they have rebelled against me. The ox knoweth his owner, and the ass his master's crib: but Israel doth not know, my people doth not consider._ +I. The unnaturalness of sin.+ The heavens and the earth obey the laws to which they have been subjected; the very beasts are faithful to their instincts; it is only man who falls in duty and goes astray. +II. The baseness of ingratitude:+ as displayed--1. By man to man;[1] 2. By children to their parents;[2] 3. By men to their Heavenly Father.[3] +III. The reasonableness of God's claim to their obedience and love.+ 1. He is our Father.[4] 2. To all parental duties He has been faithful. 3. He has been more than faithful; He has caused our cup to run over with His lovingkindness.[5] +IV. Privilege is the measure of responsibility and the aggravation of guilt.+ The point of the condemnation in these verses does not lie in the contrast between the conduct of animals and men, but in the contrast between the conduct of animals and that of God's people. "_Israel_ doth not know, _my people_ doth not consider!" This is the wonder and the monstrosity. That privilege is the measure of responsibility and the aggravation of guilt, is a very familiar truth; a truth often forgotten; and yet absolutely certain and tremendously important (Luke xii. 48; Heb. vi. 7, 8). What need _we_ have to lay it to heart! FOOTNOTES: [1] All should unite to punish the ungrateful: Ingratitude is treason to mankind.--_Thomson._ He that's ungrateful has no guilt but one; All other crimes may pass for virtues in him.--_Young._ [2] Sharper than a serpent's tooth it is To have a thankless child.--_Shakespeare._ [3] An ungracious soul may be burdened with many sins; but she never makes up her full load till she hath added the sin of unthankfulness. He leaves out no evil in a man who calls him unthankful. Ingratitude dissolves the joints of the whole world. A barren ground is less blamed, because it hath not been dressed. But till it with the plough; trust it with seed; let the clouds bless it with their rain, the sun with his heat, the heavens with their influence, and then if it be unfertile, the condition is worse; before it was contemned, now it is cursed (Heb. vi. 8).--_Adams,_ 1654. Some are such brutes, that, like swine, their nose is nailed to the trough in which they feed; they have not the use of their understanding so far as to lift their eye to heaven, and say, "There dwells that God that provides this for me, that God by whom I live."--_Gurnall._ You would count it a sad spectacle to behold a man in a lethargy, with his senses and reason so blasted by his disease that he knows not his nearest friends, and takes no notice of those that tend him, or bring his daily food to him. How many such senseless wretches are at this day lying upon God's hands! He ministers daily to their necessities, but they take no notice of His care and goodness.--_Gurnall,_ 1617-1679. The frozen snake in the fable stingeth him that refreshed it. Thus is it with all unthankful men: God leadeth them daily with benefits and blessings, and they load Him with sins and trespasses.--_Stapleton,_ 1535-1598. [4] It is an excellent representation of St. Austin: if a sculptor, after his fashioning a piece of marble in a human figure, could inspire it with life and sense, and give it motion and understanding and speech, can it be imagined not the first act of it would be to prostrate itself at the feet of the maker in subjection and thankfulness, and to offer whatever it is, and can do, as homage to him? The almighty hand of God formed our bodies. He breathed into us the spirit of life, and should not the power of love constrain us to live wholly to His will?--_Bates,_ 1625-1629. [5] We find the fiercest things that live, The savage born, the wildly rue, When soothed by Mercy's hand will give Some faint response of gratitude. But man!--oh! blush, ye lordly race!-- Shrink back, and question thy proud heart! Dost thou not lack that thankful grace Which ever forms the soul's best part? Wilt thou not take the blessings given, The priceless boon of ruddy health, The sleep unbroken, peace unriven, The cup of joy, the mine of wealth? Wilt thou not take them all, and yet Walk from the cradle to the grave Enjoying, boasting, and forget To think upon the God that
{'title': "The Preacher's Complete Homiletic Commentary on the Books of the Bible, Volume", 'source': 'Project Gutenberg', 'lang': 'en'}