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<TITLE>Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary on the Whole Bible [Isaiah XXVI].</TITLE>
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Matthew Henry<BR><I>Commentary on the Whole Bible</I> (1712)
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<!-- (Begin Body) -->
<CENTER>
<BR><FONT SIZE=+3><B>I S A I A H.</B></FONT>
<BR>
<BR><FONT SIZE=+2>CHAP. XXVI.</FONT>
<HR SIZE=1 WIDTH=50>
</CENTER>
<FONT SIZE=-1>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
This chapter is a song of holy joy and praise, in which the great
things God had engaged, in the foregoing chapter, to do for his people
against his enemies and their enemies are celebrated: it is prepared to
be sung when that prophecy should be accomplished; for we must be
forward to meet God with our thanksgivings when he is coming towards us
with his mercies. Now the people of God are here taught,
I. To triumph in the safety and holy security both of the church in
general and of every particular member of it, under the divine
protection,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+26:1-4">ver. 1-4</A>.
II. To triumph over all opposing powers,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+26:5,6">ver. 5, 6</A>.
III. To walk with God, and wait for him, in the worst and darkest
times,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+26:7-9">ver. 7-9</A>.
IV. To lament the stupidity of those who regarded not the providence of
God, either merciful or afflictive,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+26:10,11">ver. 10, 11</A>.
V. To encourage themselves, and one another, with hopes that God would
still continue to do them good
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+26:12,14">ver. 12, 14</A>),
and engage themselves to continue in his service,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+26:13">ver. 13</A>.
VI. To recollect the kind providences of God towards them in their low
and distressed condition, and their conduct under those providences,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+26:15-18">ver. 15-18</A>.
VII. To rejoice in hope of a glorious deliverance, which should be as a
resurrection to them
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+26:19">ver. 19</A>),
and to retire in the expectation of it,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+26:20,21">ver. 20, 21</A>.
And this is written for the support and assistance of the faith and
hope of God's people in all ages, even those upon whom the ends of the
world have come.</P>
</FONT>
<A NAME="Isa26_1"> </A>
<A NAME="Isa26_2"> </A>
<A NAME="Isa26_3"> </A>
<A NAME="Isa26_4"> </A>
<A NAME="Sec1"> </A>
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>The Blessings of the Gospel.</I></FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN=RIGHT><FONT SIZE=-1>B. C.</FONT> 718.</TD></TR>
<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
</TABLE>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
<FONT SIZE=+1>1 In that day shall this song be sung in the land of Judah; We
have a strong city; salvation will <I>God</I> appoint <I>for</I> walls and
bulwarks.
&nbsp; 2 Open ye the gates, that the righteous nation which keepeth
the truth may enter in.
&nbsp; 3 Thou wilt keep <I>him</I> in perfect peace, <I>whose</I> mind <I>is</I>
stayed <I>on thee:</I> because he trusteth in thee.
&nbsp; 4 Trust ye in the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> for ever: for in the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> JEHOVAH <I>is</I>
everlasting strength:
</FONT></P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
To the prophecies of gospel grace very fitly is a song annexed, in
which we may give God the glory and take to ourselves the comfort of
that grace: <I>In that day,</I> the gospel day, which the day of the
victories and enlargements of the Old-Testament church was typical of
(to some of which perhaps this has a primary reference), <I>in that day
this song shall be sung;</I> there shall be persons to sing it, and
cause and hearts to sing it; it shall be sung <I>in the land of
Judah,</I> which was a figure of the gospel church; for the gospel
covenant is said to be made <I>with the house of Judah,</I>
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Heb+8:8">Heb. viii. 8</A>.
Glorious things are here said of the church of God.</P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
I. That it is strongly fortified against those that are bad
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+26:1"><I>v.</I> 1</A>):
<I>We have a strong city.</I> It is a city incorporated by the charter
of the everlasting covenant, fitted for the reception of all that are
made free by that charter, for their employment and entertainment; it
is a strong city, as Jerusalem was, while it was a city compact
together, and had God himself a wall of fire round about it, so strong
that none would have believed that an enemy could ever <I>enter into
the gates of Jerusalem,</I>
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=La+4:12">Lam. iv. 12</A>.
The church is a strong city, for it has <I>walls and bulwarks,</I> or
counterscarps, and those of God's own appointing; for he has, in his
promise, appointed salvation itself to be its defence. Those that are
designed for salvation will find that to be their protection,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Pe+1:4">1 Pet. i. 4</A>.</P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
II. That it is richly replenished with those that are good, and they
are instead of fortifications to it; for the inhabitants of Jerusalem,
if they are such as they should be, are its strength,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Zec+12:5">Zech. xii. 5</A>.
The gates are here ordered to be opened, <I>that the righteous nation,
which keeps the truth, may enter in,</I>
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+26:2"><I>v.</I> 2</A>.
They had been banished and driven out by the iniquity of the former
times, but now the laws that were made against them are repealed, and
they have liberty to enter in again. Or, There is an act for a general
naturalization of all the righteous, whatever nation they are of,
encouraging them to come and settle in Jerusalem. When God has done
great things for any place or people he expects that thus they should
render according to the benefit done unto them; they should be kind to
his people, and take them under their protection and into their bosom.
Note,
1. It is the character of righteous men that they keep the truths of
God, a firm belief of which will have a commanding influence upon the
regularity of the whole conversation. Good principles fixed in the head
will produce good resolutions in the heart and good practices in the
life.
2. It is the interest of states to countenance such, and court them
among them, for they bring a blessing with them.</P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
III. That all who belong to it are safe and easy, and have a holy
security and serenity of mind in the assurance of God's favour.
1. This is here the matter of a promise
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+26:3"><I>v.</I> 3</A>):
<I>Thou wilt keep him in peace, peace,</I> in <I>perfect peace,</I>
inward peace, outward peace, peace with God, peace of conscience, peace
at all times, under all events; this peace shall <I>he</I> be put into,
and kept in the possession of, <I>whose mind is stayed upon God,
because it trusts in him.</I> It is the character of every good man
that he trusts in God, puts himself under his guidance and government,
and depends upon him that it shall be greatly to his advantage to do
so. Those that trust in God must have their minds stayed upon him, must
trust him at all times, under all events, must firmly and faithfully
adhere to him, with an entire satisfaction in him; and such as do so
God will keep in perpetual peace, and that peace shall keep them. When
evil tidings are abroad <I>those</I> shall calmly expect the event, and
not be disturbed by frightful apprehensions arising from them, whose
hearts are <I>fixed, trusting in the Lord,</I>
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+112:7">Ps. cxii. 7</A>.
2. It is the matter of a precept
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+26:4"><I>v.</I> 4</A>):
"Let us make ourselves easy by <I>trusting in the Lord for ever;</I>
since God has promised peace to those that stay themselves upon him,
let us not lose the benefit of that promise, but repose an entire
confidence in him. Trust in him for ever, at all times, when you have
nothing else to trust to; trust in him for that peace, that portion,
which will be for ever." Whatever we trust to the world for, it will be
but for a moment: all we expect from it is confined within the limits
of time. But what we trust in God for will last as long as we shall
last. For in the <I>Lord Jehovah-Jah, Jehovah,</I> in him who was, and
is, and is to come, there is a rock of ages, a firm and lasting
foundation for faith and hope to build upon; and the house built on
that rock will stand in a storm. Those that trust in God shall not only
find in him, but receive <I>from him, everlasting strength,</I>
strength that will carry them to everlasting life, to that blessedness
which is for ever; and therefore let them trust in him for ever, and
never cast away nor change their confidence.</P>
<A NAME="Isa26_5"> </A>
<A NAME="Isa26_6"> </A>
<A NAME="Isa26_7"> </A>
<A NAME="Isa26_8"> </A>
<A NAME="Isa26_9"> </A>
<A NAME="Isa26_10"> </A>
<A NAME="Isa26_11"> </A>
<A NAME="Sec2"> </A>
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>The Goodness and Justice of God.</I></FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN=RIGHT><FONT SIZE=-1>B. C.</FONT> 718.</TD></TR>
<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
</TABLE>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
<FONT SIZE=+1>5 For he bringeth down them that dwell on high; the lofty city,
he layeth it low; he layeth it low, <I>even</I> to the ground; he
bringeth it <I>even</I> to the dust.
&nbsp; 6 The foot shall tread it down, <I>even</I> the feet of the poor,
<I>and</I> the steps of the needy.
&nbsp; 7 The way of the just <I>is</I> uprightness: thou, most upright,
dost weigh the path of the just.
&nbsp; 8 Yea, in the way of thy judgments, O L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>, have we waited for
thee; the desire of <I>our</I> soul <I>is</I> to thy name, and to the
remembrance of thee.
&nbsp; 9 With my soul have I desired thee in the night; yea, with my
spirit within me will I seek thee early: for when thy judgments
<I>are</I> in the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn
righteousness.
&nbsp; 10 Let favour be showed to the wicked, <I>yet</I> will he not learn
righteousness: in the land of uprightness will he deal unjustly,
and will not behold the majesty of the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>.
&nbsp; 11 L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>, <I>when</I> thy hand is lifted up, they will not see: <I>but</I>
they shall see, and be ashamed for <I>their</I> envy at the people;
yea, the fire of thine enemies shall devour them.
</FONT></P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
Here the prophet further encourages us to trust in the Lord for ever,
and to continue waiting on him; for,</P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
I. He will make humble souls that trust in him to triumph over their
proud enemies,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+26:5,6"><I>v.</I> 5, 6</A>.
Those that exalt themselves shall be abased: For he <I>brings down
those that dwell on high;</I> and wherein they deal proudly he is, and
will be, above them. Even the lofty city Babylon itself, or Nineveh,
he lays it low,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+25:12"><I>ch.</I> xxv. 12</A>.
He can do it, be it ever so well fortified. He has often done it. He
will do it, for he resists the proud. It is his glory to do it, for he
proves himself to be God by <I>looking on the proud and abasing
them,</I>
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Job+40:12">Job xl. 12</A>.
But, on the contrary, those that humble themselves shall be exalted;
for <I>the feet of the poor</I> shall tread upon the lofty cities,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+26:6"><I>v.</I> 6</A>.
He does not say, Great armies shall tread them down; but, When God will
have it done, even the feet of the poor shall do it,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mal+4:3">Mal. iv. 3</A>.
<I>You shall tread down the wicked. Come, set your feet on the necks of
these kings.</I> See
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+147:6,Ro+16:20">Ps. cxlvii. 6; Rom. xvi. 20</A>.</P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
II. He takes cognizance of the way of his people and has delight in it
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+26:7"><I>v.</I> 7</A>):
<I>The way of the just is evenness</I> (so it may be read): it is their
endeavour and constant care to walk with God in an even steady course
of obedience and holy conversation. <I>My foot stands in an even
place,</I> goes in an even path,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+26:12">Ps. xxvi. 12</A>.
And it is their happiness that God makes their way plain and easy
before them: <I>Thou, most upright, dost level</I> (or <I>make even)
the path of the just,</I> by preventing or removing those things that
would be stumbling-blocks to them, so that nothing shall offend them,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+119:165">Ps. cxix. 165</A>.
God <I>weighs</I> it (so we read it); he considers it, and will give
them grace sufficient for them, to help them over all the difficulties
they may meet with in their way. Thus with the upright God will show
himself upright.</P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
III. It is our duty, and will be our comfort, to wait for God, and to
keep up holy desires towards him in the darkest and most discouraging
times,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+26:8,9"><I>v.</I> 8, 9</A>.
This has always been the practice of God's people, even when God has
frowned upon them,
1. To keep up a constant dependence upon him: "<I>In the way of thy
judgments we</I> have still <I>waited for thee;</I> when thou hast
corrected us we have looked to no other hand than thine to relieve us,"
as the servant looks only <I>to the hand of his master, till he have
mercy upon him,</I>
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+123:2">Ps. cxxiii. 2</A>.
We cannot appeal from God's justice but to his mercy. If God's
judgments continue long, if it be <I>a road of judgments</I> (so the
word signifies), yet we must not be weary but continue waiting.
2. To send up holy desires towards him. Our troubles, how pressing
soever, must never put us out of conceit with our religion, nor turn us
away from God; but still <I>the desire of our soul must be to his name
and to the remembrance of him;</I> and in the night, the darkest
longest night of affliction, <I>with our souls must we desire him.</I>
(1.) Our great concern must be for God's name, and our earnest desire
must be that his name may be glorified, whatever becomes of us and our
names. This is that which we must wait for, and pray for. "<I>Father,
glorify thy name,</I> and we are satisfied."
(2.) Our great comfort must be in the remembrance of that name, of all
that whereby God has made himself known. The remembrance of God must be
our great support and pleasure; and, though sometimes we be unmindful
of him, yet still our desire must be towards the remembrance of him and
we must take pains with our own hearts to have him always in mind.
(3.) Our desires towards God must be inward, fervent, and sincere. With
our soul we must desire him, with our soul we must pant after him
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+42:1">Ps. xlii. 1</A>),
and with our spirits within us, with the innermost thought and the
closest application of mind, we must seek him. We make nothing of our
religion, whatever our profession be, if we do not make heart-work of
it.
(4.) Even in the darkest night of affliction our desires must be
towards God, as our sun and shield; for, however God is pleased to deal
with us, we must never think the worse of him, nor cool in our love to
him.
(5.) If our desires be indeed towards God, we must give evidence that
they are so by seeking him, and seeking him early, as those that desire
to find him, and dread the thoughts of missing him. Those that would
seek God and find him must seek betimes, and seek him earnestly. Though
we come ever so early, we shall find him ready to receive us.</P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
IV. It is God's gracious design, in sending abroad his judgments,
thereby to bring men to seek him and serve him: <I>When thy judgments
are upon the earth,</I> laying all waste, then we have reason to expect
that not only God's professing people, but even <I>the inhabitants of
the world, will learn righteousness,</I> will have their mistakes
rectified and their lives reformed, will be brought to acknowledge
God's righteousness in punishing them, will repent of their own
unrighteousness in offending God, and so be brought to walk in right
paths. They will do this; that is, judgments are designed to bring them
to this, they have a natural tendency to produce this effect, and,
though many continue obstinate, yet some even of the inhabitants of the
world will profit by this discipline, and will learn righteousness;
surely they will; they are strangely stupid if they do not. Note, The
intention of afflictions is to teach us righteousness; and blessed is
the man whom God chastens, and thus teaches,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+94:12">Ps. xciv. 12</A>.
<I>Discite justitiam, moniti, et non temnere divos--Let this rebuke
teach you to cultivate righteousness, and cease from despising the
gods.</I>--Virgil.</P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
V. Those are wicked indeed that will not be wrought upon by the
favourable methods God takes to subdue and reform them; and it is
necessary that God should deal with them in a severe way by his
judgments, which shall prevail to humble those that would not otherwise
be humbled. Observe,</P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
1. How sinners walk contrary to God, and refuse to comply with the
means used for their reformation and to answer the intentions of them,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+26:10"><I>v.</I> 10</A>.
(1.) <I>Favour is shown</I> to them. They receive many mercies from
God; he causes his sun to shine and his rain to fall upon them, nay, he
prospers them, and into their hands he brings plentifully; they escape
many of the strokes of God's judgments, which others less wicked than
they have been cut off by; in some particular instances they seem to be
remarkably favoured above their neighbours, and the design of all this
is that they may be won upon to love and serve that God who thus
favours them; and yet it is all in vain: <I>They will not learn
righteousness,</I> will not be led to repentance by the goodness of
God, and therefore it is requisite that God should send his judgments
into the earth, to reckon with men for abused mercies.
(2.) They live <I>in a land of uprightness,</I> where religion is
professed and is in reputation, where the word of God is preached, and
where they have many good examples set them,--in a land of
<I>evenness,</I> where there are not so many stumbling-blocks as in
other places,--in a land of <I>correction,</I> where vice and
profaneness are discountenanced and punished; yet there they will
<I>deal unjustly,</I> and go on frowardly in their evil ways. Those
that do wickedly deal unjustly both with God and man, as well as with
their own souls; and those that will not be reclaimed by the justice of
the nation may expect the judgments of God upon them. Nor can those
expect a place hereafter in the land of blessedness who now conform not
to the laws and usages, nor improve the privileges and advantages, of
the land of uprightness; and why do they not? It is because they
<I>will not behold the majesty of the Lord,</I> will not believe, will
not consider, what a God of terrible majesty he is whose laws and
justice they persist in the contempt of. God's majesty appears in all
the dispensations of his providence; but they regard it not, and
therefore study not to answer the ends of those dispensations. Even
when we receive of the mercy of the Lord we must still behold the
<I>majesty of the Lord and his goodness.</I>
(3.) God lifts up his hand to give them warning, that they may, by
repentance and prayer, make their peace with him; but they take no
notice of it, are not aware that God is angry with them, or coming
forth against them: <I>They will not see,</I> and none so blind as
those who will not see, who shut their eyes against the clearest
conviction of guilt and wrath, who ascribe that to chance, or common
fate, which is manifestly a divine rebuke, who regard not the
threatening symptoms of their own ruin, but cry Peace to themselves,
when the righteous God is waging war with them.</P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
2. How God will at length be too hard for them; for, when he judges, he
will overcome: <I>They will not see, but they shall see,</I> shall be
made to see, whether they will or no, that God is angry with them.
Atheists, scorners, and the secure, will shortly feel what now they
will not believe, that <I>it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands
of the living God.</I> They will not see the evil of sin, and
particularly the sin of hating and persecuting the people of God; but
they shall see, by the tokens of God's displeasure against them for it
and the deliverances in which God will plead his people's cause, that
what is done against them he takes as done against himself and will
reckon for it accordingly. They shall see that they have done God's
people a great deal of wrong, and therefore shall be ashamed of their
enmity and envy towards them, and their ill usage of such as deserved
better treatment. Note, Those that bear ill-will to God's people have
reason to be ashamed of it, so absurd and unreasonable is it; and,
sooner or later, they shall be ashamed of it, and the remembrance of it
shall fill them with confusion. Some read it, <I>They shall see and be
confounded for the zeal of the people,</I> by the zeal God will show
for his people; when they shall be made to know how jealous God is for
the honour and welfare of his people they shall be confounded to think
that they might have been of that people and would not. Their doom
therefore is that, since they slighted the happiness of God's friends,
<I>the fire of his enemies shall devour them,</I> that is, the fire
which is prepared for his enemies and with which they shall be
devoured, the fire designed for the devil and his angels. Note, Those
that are enemies to God's people, and envy them, God looks upon as his
enemies, and will deal with them accordingly.</P>
<A NAME="Isa26_12"> </A>
<A NAME="Isa26_13"> </A>
<A NAME="Isa26_14"> </A>
<A NAME="Isa26_15"> </A>
<A NAME="Isa26_16"> </A>
<A NAME="Isa26_17"> </A>
<A NAME="Isa26_18"> </A>
<A NAME="Isa26_19"> </A>
<A NAME="Sec3"> </A>
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>Goodness of God to Israel; Israel Corrected for Sin; Prospects of the Church.</I></FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN=RIGHT VALIGN=BOTTOM><FONT SIZE=-1>B.&nbsp;C.</FONT>&nbsp;718.</TD></TR>
<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
</TABLE>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
<FONT SIZE=+1>12 L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>, thou wilt ordain peace for us: for thou also hast
wrought all our works in us.
&nbsp; 13 O L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> our God, <I>other</I> lords beside thee have had dominion
over us: <I>but</I> by thee only will we make mention of thy name.
&nbsp; 14 <I>They are</I> dead, they shall not live; <I>they are</I> deceased,
they shall not rise: therefore hast thou visited and destroyed
them, and made all their memory to perish.
&nbsp; 15 Thou hast increased the nation, O L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>, thou hast increased
the nation: thou art glorified: thou hadst removed <I>it</I> far
<I>unto</I> all the ends of the earth.
&nbsp; 16 L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>, in trouble have they visited thee, they poured out a
prayer <I>when</I> thy chastening <I>was</I> upon them.
&nbsp; 17 Like as a woman with child, <I>that</I> draweth near the time of
her delivery, is in pain, <I>and</I> crieth out in her pangs; so have
we been in thy sight, O L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>.
&nbsp; 18 We have been with child, we have been in pain, we have as it
were brought forth wind; we have not wrought any deliverance in
the earth; neither have the inhabitants of the world fallen.
&nbsp; 19 Thy dead <I>men</I> shall live, <I>together with</I> my dead body
shall they arise. Awake and sing, ye that dwell in dust: for thy
dew <I>is as</I> the dew of herbs, and the earth shall cast out the
dead.
</FONT></P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
The prophet in these verses looks back upon what God had done with
them, both in mercy and judgment, and sings unto God of both, and then
looks forward upon what he hoped God would do for them. Observe,</P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
I. His reviews and reflections are mixed. When he looks back upon the
state of the church he finds,</P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
1. That God had in many instances been very gracious to them and had
done great things for them.
(1.) In general
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+26:12"><I>v.</I> 12</A>):
<I>Thou hast wrought all our works in us,</I> or <I>for</I> us.
Whatever good work is done by us, it is owing to a good work wrought by
the grace of God in us; it is he that puts good thoughts and affections
into our hearts if at any time they be there, and that <I>works in us
both to will and to do of his good pleasure. Acti, agimus--Being acted
upon, we act.</I> And if any kindness be shown us, or any of our
affairs be prosperous and successful, it is God that works it for us.
Every creature, every business, that is in any way serviceable to our
comfort, is made by him to be so; and sometimes he makes that to work
for us which seemed to make against us.
(2.) In particular
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+26:15"><I>v.</I> 15</A>):
"<I>Thou hast increased the nation, O Lord!</I> so that a little one
has become a thousand (in Egypt they multiplied exceedingly, and
afterwards in Canaan, so that they filled the land); and in this
<I>thou art glorified,</I>" for the multitude of the people is the
honour of the prince, and therein God was glorified as faithful to his
covenant with Abraham, that he would make him a father of many nations.
Note, God's nation is a growing nation, and it is the glory of God that
it is so. The increase of the church, that holy nation, is
<I>therefore</I> to be rejoiced in because it is the increase of those
that make it their business to glorify God in this world.</P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
2. That yet he had laid them under his rebukes.</P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
(1.) The neighbouring nations had sometimes oppressed them and
tyrannised over them
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+26:13"><I>v.</I> 13</A>):
"<I>O Lord our God!</I> thou who hast the sole right to rule us, whose
subjects and servants we are, to thee we complain (for whither else
should we go with our complaints?) that <I>other lords besides thee
have had dominion over us.</I>" Not only in the days of the Judges, but
afterwards, God frequently sold them into the hand of their enemies, or
rather, by their iniquities, they <I>sold themselves,</I>
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+52:3-5"><I>ch.</I> lii. 3-5</A>.
When they had been careless in the service of God, God suffered their
enemies to have dominion over them, that they might know the difference
between his service <I>and the service of the kingdoms of the
countries.</I> It may be understood as a confession of sin, their
serving other gods, and subjecting themselves to the superstitious laws
and customs of their neighbours, by which other lords (for they called
their idols <I>baals, lords</I>) had dominion over them, besides God.
But now they promise that it shall be so no more: "Henceforth <I>by
thee only will we make mention of thy name;</I> we will worship thee
only, and in that way only which thou hast instituted and appointed."
The same may be our penitent reflection: <I>Other lords, besides God,
have had dominion over us;</I> every lust has been our lord, and we
have been led captive by it; and it is has been long enough, and too
long, that we have thus wronged both God and ourselves. The same
therefore must be our pious resolution, that henceforth we will make
mention of God's name only and by him only, that we will keep close to
God and to our duty and never desert it.</P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
(2.) They had sometimes been carried into captivity before their
enemies
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+26:15"><I>v.</I> 15</A>):
"The nation which at first thou didst increase, and make to take root,
thou hast now diminished, and plucked up, and <I>removed to all the
ends of the earth, driven out to the utmost parts of heaven,</I>" as is
threatened,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+30:4,De+28:64">Deut. xxx. 4; xxviii. 64</A>.
But observe, Between the mention of the increasing of them and that of
the removing of them it is said, <I>Thou art glorified;</I> for the
judgments God inflicts upon his people for their sins are for his
honour, as well as the mercies he bestows upon them in performance of
his promise.</P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
(3.) The prophet remembers that when they were thus oppressed and
carried captive they cried unto God, which was a good evidence that
they neither had quite forsaken him nor were quite forsaken of him, and
that there were merciful intentions in the judgments they were under
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+26:16"><I>v.</I> 16</A>):
<I>Lord, in trouble have they visited thee.</I> This was usual with the
people of Israel, as we find frequently in the story of the Judges.
When <I>other lords had dominion over them</I> they <I>humbled
themselves, and said, The Lord is righteous,</I>
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ch+12:6">2 Chron. xii. 6</A>.
See here,
[1.] The need we have of afflictions. They are necessary to stir up
prayer; when it is said, <I>In trouble have they visited thee,</I> it
is implied that in their peace and prosperity they were strangers to
God, kept at a distance from him, and seldom came near him, as if, when
the world smiled upon them, they had no occasion for his favours.
[2.] The benefit we often have by afflictions. They bring us to God,
quicken us to our duty, and show us our dependence upon him. Those that
before seldom looked at God now visit him; they come frequently, they
become friendly, and make their court to him. Before, prayer came drop
by drop, but now they <I>pour out a prayer;</I> it comes now like water
from a fountain, not like water from a still. They poured out <I>a
secret speech;</I> so the margin. Praying is speaking to God, but it is
a secret speech; for it is the language of the heart, otherwise it is
not praying. Afflictions bring us to secret prayer, in which we may be
more free and particular in our addresses to him than we can be in
public. In affliction those will seek God early who before sought him
slowly,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ho+5:15">Hos. v. 15</A>.
It will make men fervent and fluent in prayer. "They poured out a
prayer, as the drink-offerings were poured out, when thy chastening was
upon them." But it is to be feared, when the chastening is off them,
they will by degrees return to their former carelessness, as they had
often done.</P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
(4.) He complains that their struggles for their own liberty had been
very painful and perilous, but that they had not been successful,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+26:17,18"><I>v.</I> 17, 18</A>.
[1.] They had the throes and pangs they dreaded: "We have been like a
woman in labour, that cries out in her pangs; we have with a great deal
of anxiety and toil endeavoured to help ourselves, and our troubles
have been increased by those attempts;" as when Moses came to deliver
Israel the tale of bricks was doubled. Their prayers were quickened by
the acuteness of their pains, and became as strong and vehement as the
cries of a woman in sore travail. <I>So have we been in thy sight, O
Lord!</I> It was a comfort and satisfaction to them, in their distress,
that God had his eye upon them, that all their miseries were in his
sight; he was no stranger to their pangs or their prayers. <I>Lord,
all my desire is before thee, and my groaning is not hidden from
thee,</I>
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+38:9">Ps. xxxviii. 9</A>.
Whenever they came to <I>present themselves before the Lord</I> with
their complaints and petitions they were in agonies like those of a
woman in travail.
[2.] They came short of the issue and success they desired and hoped
for: "<I>We have been with child;</I> we have had great expectation of
a speedy and happy deliverance, have been big with hopes, and, when we
have been in pain, have comforted ourselves with this, that the joyful
birth would make us forget <I>our misery,</I>
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+16:21">John xvi. 21</A>.
But, alas! <I>we have as it were brought forth wind;</I> it has proved
a false conception; our expectations have been frustrated, and our
pains have been rather dying pains than travailing ones; we have had a
miscarrying womb and dry breasts. All our efforts have proved abortive:
<I>We have not wrought any deliverance in the earth,</I> for ourselves
or for our friends and allies, but rather have made our own case and
theirs worse; <I>neither have the inhabitants of the world,</I> whom we
have been contesting with, <I>fallen</I> before us, either in their
power or in their hopes; but they are still as high and arrogant as
ever." Note, A righteous cause may be strenuously pleaded both by
prayer and endeavour, both with God and man, and yet for a great while
may be left under a cloud, and the point may not be gained.</P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
II. His prospects and hopes are very pleasant. In general, "<I>Thou
wilt ordain peace for us</I>
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+26:12"><I>v.</I> 12</A>),
that is, all that good which the necessity of our case calls for." What
peace the church has, or hopes for, it is of God's ordaining; and we
may comfort ourselves with this, that, what trouble soever may for a
time be appointed to the people of God, peace will at length be
ordained for them; for the <I>end of those men is peace.</I> And, if
God by his Spirit <I>work all our works in us,</I> he will ordain peace
for us (for the work of righteousness shall be peace), and that is true
and lasting peace, such as the world can neither give nor take away,
which God ordains; for, to those that have it, it shall be unchangeable
as the ordinances <I>of the day and of the night.</I> Moreover, from
what God has done for us, we may encourage ourselves to hope that he
will yet further do us good. "Thou hast heard the desire of the humble,
and therefore wilt
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+10:17">Ps. x. 17</A>);
and, when this peace is ordained for us, then <I>by thee only will we
make mention of thy name</I>
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+26:13"><I>v.</I> 13</A>);
we will give the glory of it to thee only, and not to any other, and we
will depend upon thy grace only to enable us to do so." We cannot
praise God's name but by his strength. Two things in particular the
prophet here comforts the church with the prospect of:--
1. The amazing ruin of her enemies
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+26:14"><I>v.</I> 14</A>):
<I>They are dead,</I> those <I>other lords</I> that <I>have had
dominion over us;</I> their power is irrecoverably broken; they are
quite cut off and extinguished: and <I>they shall not live,</I> shall
never be able to hold up the head any more. Being <I>deceased, they
shall not rise,</I> but, like Haman, when they have begun to fall
before the seed of the Jews they shall sink like a stone. Because they
are sentenced to this final ruin, therefore, in pursuance of that
sentence, God himself has visited them in wrath, as a righteous Judge,
and has cut off both the men themselves (<I>he has destroyed them</I>)
and <I>the remembrance of them:</I> they and their names are buried
together in the dust. He has <I>made all their memory to perish;</I>
they are either forgotten or made mention of with detestation. Note,
The cause that is maintained in opposition to God and his kingdom among
men, though it may prosper awhile, will certainly sink at last, and all
that adhere to it will perish with it. The Jewish doctors, comparing
this with
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+26:19"><I>v.</I> 19</A>,
infer that the resurrection of the dead belong to the Jews only, and
that those of other nations shall not rise. But we know better; we know
that <I>all who are in their graves shall hear the voice of the Son of
God,</I> and that this speaks of the final destruction of Christ's
enemies, which is the second death.
2. The surprising resurrection of her friends,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+26:19"><I>v.</I> 19</A>.
Though the church rejoices not in the birth of the man-child, of which
she travailed in pain, <I>but has as it were brought forth wind</I>
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+26:18"><I>v.</I> 18</A>),
yet the disappointment shall be balanced in a way equivalent: <I>Thy
dead men shall live;</I> those who were thought to be dead, who had
received a sentence of death within themselves, who were cast out as if
they had been naturally dead, shall appear again in their former
vigour. A spirit of life from God shall enter into the slain witnesses,
and they shall prophesy again,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Re+11:11">Rev. xi. 11</A>.
The <I>dry bones shall live,</I> and become an <I>exceedingly great
army,</I>
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Eze+37:10">Ezek. xxxvii. 10</A>.
<I>Together with my dead body shall they arise.</I> If we believe the
resurrection of the dead, of our dead bodies at the last day, as Job
did, and the prophet here, that will facilitate our belief of the
promised restoration of the church's lustre and strength in this world.
When God's time shall have come, how low soever she may be brought,
they shall arise, even Jerusalem, the city of God, but now lying like a
dead body, a carcase to which the eagles are gathered together. God
owns it still for his, so does the prophet; but it shall arise, shall
be rebuilt, and flourish again. And therefore let the poor, desolate,
melancholy remains of its inhabitants, that dwell as in dust, <I>awake
and sing;</I> for they shall see Jerusalem, the <I>city of their
solemnities, a quiet habitation again,</I>
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+33:20"><I>ch.</I> xxxiii. 20</A>.
The dew of God's favour shall be to it as the evening dew to the herbs
that were parched with the heat of the sun all day, shall revive and
refresh them. And as the spring-dews, that water the earth, and make
the herbs that lay buried in it to put forth and bud, so shall they
flourish again, and <I>the earth shall cast out the dead,</I> as it
casts the herbs out of their roots. The earth, in which they seemed to
be lost, shall contribute to their revival. When the church and her
interests are to be restored neither the dew of heaven nor the fatness
of the earth shall be wanting to do their part towards the restoration.
Now this (as Ezekiel's vision, which is a comment upon it) may be fitly
accommodated,
(1.) To the spiritual resurrection of those that were dead in sin, by
the power of Christ's gospel and grace. So Dr. Lightfoot applies it,
<I>Hor. Hebr. in Joh.</I> 12.24. "The Gentiles shall live; with my body
shall they arise; that is, they shall be called in after Christ's
resurrection, shall rise with him, and sit with him in heavenly places;
nay, they shall arise my body (says he); they shall become the mystical
body of Christ, and shall arise as part of him."
(2.) To the last resurrection, when dead saints shall live, and rise
together with Christ's dead body; for he arose as the first-fruits, and
believers shall arise by virtue of their union with him and their
communion in his resurrection.</P>
<A NAME="Isa26_20"> </A>
<A NAME="Isa26_21"> </A>
<A NAME="Sec4"> </A>
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>The Sure Refuge.</I></FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN=RIGHT><FONT SIZE=-1>B. C.</FONT> 718.</TD></TR>
<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
</TABLE>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
<FONT SIZE=+1>20 Come, my people, enter thou into thy chambers, and shut thy
doors about thee: hide thyself as it were for a little moment,
until the indignation be overpast.
&nbsp; 21 For, behold, the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> cometh out of his place to punish the
inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity: the earth also shall
disclose her blood, and shall no more cover her slain.
</FONT></P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
These two verses are supposed not to belong to the song which takes up
the rest of the chapter, but to begin a new matter, and to be rather an
introduction to the following chapter than the conclusion of this. Of
whereas, in the foregoing song, the people of God had spoken to him,
complaining of their grievances, here he returns an answer to their
complaints, in which,</P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
I. He invites them into their chambers
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+26:20"><I>v.</I> 20</A>):
"<I>Come, my people,</I> come to me, come with me" (he calls them
nowhere but where he himself will accompany them); "let the storm that
disperses others bring you nearer together. Come, and <I>enter into thy
chambers;</I> stay not abroad, lest you be caught in the storm, as the
Egyptians in the hail,"
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+9:21">Exod. ix. 21</A>.
1. "Come into chambers of <I>distinction;</I> come into your own
apartments, and continue not any longer mixed with the children of
Babylon. <I>Come out from among them, and be you separate,</I>"
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Co+6:17,Re+18:4">2 Cor. vi. 17; Rev. xviii. 4</A>.
If God has set apart those that are godly for himself, they ought to
set themselves apart.
2. "Into chambers of <I>defence,</I> in which by the secresy or the
strength of them you may be safe in the worst of times." The attributes
of God are the <I>secret of his tabernacle,</I>
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+27:5">Ps. xxvii. 5</A>.
His name is a strong tower, into which we may run for shelter,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Pr+18:10">Prov. xviii. 10</A>.
We must be faith find a way into these chambers, and there hide
ourselves; that is, with a holy security and serenity of mind, we must
put ourselves under the divine protection. Come, as Noah into the ark,
for he <I>shut the doors about him.</I> When dangers are threatening it
is good to retire, and lie hid, as Elijah did by the brook Cherith.
3. Into chambers of <I>devotion.</I> "Enter into thy closet, and
<I>shut thy door,</I>
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+6:6">Matt. vi. 6</A>.
Be private with God: <I>Enter into thy chamber,</I> to examine thyself,
and commune with thy own heart, to pray, and humble thyself before
God." This work is to be done in times of distress and danger; and thus
we hide ourselves, that is, we recommend ourselves to God to hide us,
and he will hide us either under heaven or in heaven. Israel must keep
within doors when the destroying angel is slaying the first-born of
Egypt, else the blood on the door-posts will not secure them. So must
Rahab and her family when Jericho is being destroyed. Those are most
safe that are least seen. <I>Qui bene latuit, benevixit--He has lived
well who has sought a proper degree of concealment.</I></P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
II. He assures them that the trouble would be over in a very short
time, that they should not long be in any fright or peril: "<I>Hide
thyself for a moment,</I> the smallest part of time we can conceive,
like an atom of matter; may, if you can imagine one moment shorter than
another, it is but for a <I>little</I> moment, and that with a
<I>quasi</I> too, <I>as it were for a little moment,</I> less than you
think of. When it is over it will seem as nothing to you; you will
wonder how soon it is gone. You shall not need to lie long in
confinement, long in concealment. The indignation will presently be
over-past; that is, the indignation of the enemies against you, their
persecuting power and rage, which force you to abscond. <I>When the
wicked rise, a man is hid.</I> This will soon be over; God will cut
them off, will break their power, defeat their purposes, and find a way
for your enlargement." When Athanasius was banished from Alexandria by
an edict of Julian, and his friends greatly lamented it, he bade them
be of good cheer. <I>Nubecula est qu&aelig; cito pertransibit--It is a little
cloud, that will soon blow over. You shall have tribulation ten
days;</I> that is all,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Re+2:10">Rev. ii. 10</A>.
This enables God's suffering people to call their afflictions light,
that they are but for a moment.</P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
III. He assures them that their enemies should be reckoned with for all
the mischief they had done them by the sword, either of war or
persecution,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+26:21"><I>v.</I> 21</A>.
The Lord will punish them for the blood they have shed. Here is,
1. The judgment set, and process issued out: <I>The Lord comes out of
his place, to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their
iniquity,</I> in giving such disturbance to all about them. There is a
great deal of iniquity among the inhabitants of the earth; but though
they all combine in it, though hand join in hand to carry it on, yet
<I>it shall not go unpunished.</I> Besides the everlasting punishment
into which the wicked shall go hereafter, there are often remarkable
punishments of cruelty, oppression, and persecution, in this world.
When men's indignation is over-past, and they have done their worst,
let them then expect God's indignation, for <I>he sees that his day is
coming,</I>
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+37:13">Ps. xxxvii. 13</A>.
God <I>comes out of his place to punish.</I> He shows himself in an
extraordinary manner from heaven, the firmament of his power, from the
sanctuary, the residence of his grace. He is <I>raised up out of his
holy habitation,</I> where he seemed before to conceal himself; and now
he will do something great, the product of his wise, just, and secret
counsels, as a prince that goes to take the chair or take the field,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Zec+2:13">Zech. ii. 13</A>.
Some observe that God's place is the mercy-seat; there he delights to
be; when he punishes he comes out of his place, for he has no pleasure
in the death of sinners.
2. The criminals convicted by the notorious evidence of the face:
<I>The earth shall disclose her blood;</I> the innocent blood, the
blood of the saints and martyrs, which has been shed upon the earth
like water, and has soaked into it, and been concealed and covered by
it, shall not be brought to light, and brought to account; for God will
make inquisition for it, and will give those that shed it blood to
drink, for they are worthy. Secret murders, and other secret
wickednesses, shall be discovered, sooner or later. And the slain which
the earth has long covered she shall no longer cover, but they shall be
produced as evidence against the murderers. The voice of Abel's blood
cries from the earth,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ge+9:10,11,Job+20:27">Gen. ix. 10, 11; Job xx. 27</A>.
Those sins which seemed to be buried in oblivion will be called to
mind, and called over again, when the day of reckoning comes. Let God's
people therefore wait awhile with patience, for behold the Judge stands
before the door.</P>
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Matthew Henry<BR><I>Commentary on the Whole Bible</I> (1712)
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