mh_parser/vol_split/23 - Isaiah/Chapter 26.xml

<div2 id="Is.xxvii" n="xxvii" next="Is.xxviii" prev="Is.xxvi" progress="9.55%" title="Chapter XXVI">
<h2 id="Is.xxvii-p0.1">I S A I A H.</h2>
<h3 id="Is.xxvii-p0.2">CHAP. XXVI.</h3>
<p class="intro" id="Is.xxvii-p1" shownumber="no">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, <scripRef id="Is.xxvii-p1.1" osisRef="Bible:Isa.26.1-Isa.26.4" parsed="|Isa|26|1|26|4" passage="Isa 26:1-4">ver. 1-4</scripRef>. II. To triumph over all opposing
powers, <scripRef id="Is.xxvii-p1.2" osisRef="Bible:Isa.26.5-Isa.26.6" parsed="|Isa|26|5|26|6" passage="Isa 26:5,6">ver. 5, 6</scripRef>. III.
To walk with God, and wait for him, in the worst and darkest times,
<scripRef id="Is.xxvii-p1.3" osisRef="Bible:Isa.26.7-Isa.26.9" parsed="|Isa|26|7|26|9" passage="Isa 26:7-9">ver. 7-9</scripRef>. IV. To lament
the stupidity of those who regarded not the providence of God,
either merciful or afflictive, <scripRef id="Is.xxvii-p1.4" osisRef="Bible:Isa.26.10-Isa.26.11" parsed="|Isa|26|10|26|11" passage="Isa 26:10,11">ver. 10, 11</scripRef>. V. To encourage themselves,
and one another, with hopes that God would still continue to do
them good (<scripRef id="Is.xxvii-p1.5" osisRef="Bible:Isa.26.12 Bible:Isa.26.14" parsed="|Isa|26|12|0|0;|Isa|26|14|0|0" passage="Isa 26:12,14">ver. 12,
14</scripRef>), and engage themselves to continue in his service,
<scripRef id="Is.xxvii-p1.6" osisRef="Bible:Isa.26.13" parsed="|Isa|26|13|0|0" passage="Isa 26:13">ver. 13</scripRef>. VI. To recollect
the kind providences of God towards them in their low and
distressed condition, and their conduct under those providences,
<scripRef id="Is.xxvii-p1.7" osisRef="Bible:Isa.26.15-Isa.26.18" parsed="|Isa|26|15|26|18" passage="Isa 26:15-18">ver. 15-18</scripRef>. VII. To
rejoice in hope of a glorious deliverance, which should be as a
resurrection to them (<scripRef id="Is.xxvii-p1.8" osisRef="Bible:Isa.26.19" parsed="|Isa|26|19|0|0" passage="Isa 26:19">ver.
19</scripRef>), and to retire in the expectation of it, <scripRef id="Is.xxvii-p1.9" osisRef="Bible:Isa.26.20-Isa.26.21" parsed="|Isa|26|20|26|21" passage="Isa 26:20,21">ver. 20, 21</scripRef>. 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>
<scripCom id="Is.xxvii-p1.10" osisRef="Bible:Isa.26" parsed="|Isa|26|0|0|0" passage="Isa 26" type="Commentary"/>
<scripCom id="Is.xxvii-p1.11" osisRef="Bible:Isa.26.1-Isa.26.4" parsed="|Isa|26|1|26|4" passage="Isa 26:1-4" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Is.xxvii-p1.12">
<h4 id="Is.xxvii-p1.13">The Blessings of the Gospel. (<span class="smallcaps" id="Is.xxvii-p1.14">b. c.</span> 718.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="Is.xxvii-p2" shownumber="no">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.   2 Open ye the gates,
that the righteous nation which keepeth the truth may enter in.
  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.
  4 Trust ye in the <span class="smallcaps" id="Is.xxvii-p2.1">Lord</span> for
ever: for in the <span class="smallcaps" id="Is.xxvii-p2.2">Lord</span> JEHOVAH
<i>is</i> everlasting strength:</p>
<p class="indent" id="Is.xxvii-p3" shownumber="no">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> <scripRef id="Is.xxvii-p3.1" osisRef="Bible:Heb.8.8" parsed="|Heb|8|8|0|0" passage="Heb 8:8">Heb. viii. 8</scripRef>. Glorious things are here said of
the church of God.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Is.xxvii-p4" shownumber="no">I. That it is strongly fortified against
those that are bad (<scripRef id="Is.xxvii-p4.1" osisRef="Bible:Isa.26.1" parsed="|Isa|26|1|0|0" passage="Isa 26:1"><i>v.</i>
1</scripRef>): <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> <scripRef id="Is.xxvii-p4.2" osisRef="Bible:Lam.4.12" parsed="|Lam|4|12|0|0" passage="La 4:12">Lam. iv. 12</scripRef>.
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, <scripRef id="Is.xxvii-p4.3" osisRef="Bible:1Pet.1.4" parsed="|1Pet|1|4|0|0" passage="1Pe 1:4">1 Pet. i. 4</scripRef>.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Is.xxvii-p5" shownumber="no">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, <scripRef id="Is.xxvii-p5.1" osisRef="Bible:Zech.12.5" parsed="|Zech|12|5|0|0" passage="Zec 12:5">Zech. xii.
5</scripRef>. The gates are here ordered to be opened, <i>that the
righteous nation, which keeps the truth, may enter in,</i>
<scripRef id="Is.xxvii-p5.2" osisRef="Bible:Isa.26.2" parsed="|Isa|26|2|0|0" passage="Isa 26:2"><i>v.</i> 2</scripRef>. 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 class="indent" id="Is.xxvii-p6" shownumber="no">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
(<scripRef id="Is.xxvii-p6.1" osisRef="Bible:Isa.26.3" parsed="|Isa|26|3|0|0" passage="Isa 26:3"><i>v.</i> 3</scripRef>): <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> <scripRef id="Is.xxvii-p6.2" osisRef="Bible:Ps.112.7" parsed="|Ps|112|7|0|0" passage="Ps 112:7">Ps. cxii. 7</scripRef>. 2. It is the matter of a precept
(<scripRef id="Is.xxvii-p6.3" osisRef="Bible:Isa.26.4" parsed="|Isa|26|4|0|0" passage="Isa 26:4"><i>v.</i> 4</scripRef>): "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>
</div><scripCom id="Is.xxvii-p6.4" osisRef="Bible:Isa.26.5-Isa.26.11" parsed="|Isa|26|5|26|11" passage="Isa 26:5-11" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Is.xxvii-p6.5">
<h4 id="Is.xxvii-p6.6">The Goodness and Justice of
God. (<span class="smallcaps" id="Is.xxvii-p6.7">b. c.</span> 718.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="Is.xxvii-p7" shownumber="no">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.   6 The
foot shall tread it down, <i>even</i> the feet of the poor,
<i>and</i> the steps of the needy.   7 The way of the just
<i>is</i> uprightness: thou, most upright, dost weigh the path of
the just.   8 Yea, in the way of thy judgments, <span class="smallcaps" id="Is.xxvii-p7.1">O Lord</span>, have we waited for thee; the desire of
<i>our</i> soul <i>is</i> to thy name, and to the remembrance of
thee.   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.   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 <span class="smallcaps" id="Is.xxvii-p7.2">Lord</span>.   11 <span class="smallcaps" id="Is.xxvii-p7.3">Lord</span>, <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.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Is.xxvii-p8" shownumber="no">Here the prophet further encourages us to
trust in the Lord for ever, and to continue waiting on him;
for,</p>
<p class="indent" id="Is.xxvii-p9" shownumber="no">I. He will make humble souls that trust in
him to triumph over their proud enemies, <scripRef id="Is.xxvii-p9.1" osisRef="Bible:Isa.26.5-Isa.26.6" parsed="|Isa|26|5|26|6" passage="Isa 26:5,6"><i>v.</i> 5, 6</scripRef>. 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, <scripRef id="Is.xxvii-p9.2" osisRef="Bible:Isa.25.12" parsed="|Isa|25|12|0|0" passage="Isa 25:12"><i>ch.</i> xxv. 12</scripRef>.
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> <scripRef id="Is.xxvii-p9.3" osisRef="Bible:Job.40.12" parsed="|Job|40|12|0|0" passage="Job 40:12">Job xl.
12</scripRef>. 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, <scripRef id="Is.xxvii-p9.4" osisRef="Bible:Isa.26.6" parsed="|Isa|26|6|0|0" passage="Isa 26:6"><i>v.</i>
6</scripRef>. 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, <scripRef id="Is.xxvii-p9.5" osisRef="Bible:Mal.4.3" parsed="|Mal|4|3|0|0" passage="Mal 4:3">Mal. iv. 3</scripRef>. <i>You shall
tread down the wicked. Come, set your feet on the necks of these
kings.</i> See <scripRef id="Is.xxvii-p9.6" osisRef="Bible:Ps.147.6 Bible:Rom.16.20" parsed="|Ps|147|6|0|0;|Rom|16|20|0|0" passage="Ps 147:6,Ro 16:20">Ps. cxlvii. 6;
Rom. xvi. 20</scripRef>.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Is.xxvii-p10" shownumber="no">II. He takes cognizance of the way of his
people and has delight in it (<scripRef id="Is.xxvii-p10.1" osisRef="Bible:Isa.26.7" parsed="|Isa|26|7|0|0" passage="Isa 26:7"><i>v.</i> 7</scripRef>): <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, <scripRef id="Is.xxvii-p10.2" osisRef="Bible:Ps.26.12" parsed="|Ps|26|12|0|0" passage="Ps 26:12">Ps.
xxvi. 12</scripRef>. 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, <scripRef id="Is.xxvii-p10.3" osisRef="Bible:Ps.119.165" parsed="|Ps|119|165|0|0" passage="Ps 119:165">Ps.
cxix. 165</scripRef>. 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 class="indent" id="Is.xxvii-p11" shownumber="no">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, <scripRef id="Is.xxvii-p11.1" osisRef="Bible:Isa.26.8-Isa.26.9" parsed="|Isa|26|8|26|9" passage="Isa 26:8,9"><i>v.</i> 8, 9</scripRef>. 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> <scripRef id="Is.xxvii-p11.2" osisRef="Bible:Ps.123.2" parsed="|Ps|123|2|0|0" passage="Ps 123:2">Ps.
cxxiii. 2</scripRef>. 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
(<scripRef id="Is.xxvii-p11.3" osisRef="Bible:Ps.42.1" parsed="|Ps|42|1|0|0" passage="Ps 42:1">Ps. xlii. 1</scripRef>), 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 class="indent" id="Is.xxvii-p12" shownumber="no">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, <scripRef id="Is.xxvii-p12.1" osisRef="Bible:Ps.94.12" parsed="|Ps|94|12|0|0" passage="Ps 94:12">Ps. xciv. 12</scripRef>. <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 class="indent" id="Is.xxvii-p13" shownumber="no">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 class="indent" id="Is.xxvii-p14" shownumber="no">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, <scripRef id="Is.xxvii-p14.1" osisRef="Bible:Isa.26.10" parsed="|Isa|26|10|0|0" passage="Isa 26:10"><i>v.</i> 10</scripRef>. (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 class="indent" id="Is.xxvii-p15" shownumber="no">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>
</div><scripCom id="Is.xxvii-p15.1" osisRef="Bible:Isa.26.12-Isa.26.19" parsed="|Isa|26|12|26|19" passage="Isa 26:12-19" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Is.xxvii-p15.2">
<h4 id="Is.xxvii-p15.3">Goodness of God to Israel; Israel Corrected
for Sin; Prospects of the Church. (<span class="smallcaps" id="Is.xxvii-p15.4">b.
c.</span> 718.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="Is.xxvii-p16" shownumber="no">12 <span class="smallcaps" id="Is.xxvii-p16.1">Lord</span>, thou
wilt ordain peace for us: for thou also hast wrought all our works
in us.   13 <span class="smallcaps" id="Is.xxvii-p16.2">O Lord</span> 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.   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.   15 Thou
hast increased the nation, <span class="smallcaps" id="Is.xxvii-p16.3">O Lord</span>,
thou hast increased the nation: thou art glorified: thou hadst
removed <i>it</i> far <i>unto</i> all the ends of the earth.  
16 <span class="smallcaps" id="Is.xxvii-p16.4">Lord</span>, in trouble have they
visited thee, they poured out a prayer <i>when</i> thy chastening
<i>was</i> upon them.   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,
<span class="smallcaps" id="Is.xxvii-p16.5">O Lord</span>.   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.   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.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Is.xxvii-p17" shownumber="no">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 class="indent" id="Is.xxvii-p18" shownumber="no">I. His reviews and reflections are mixed.
When he looks back upon the state of the church he finds,</p>
<p class="indent" id="Is.xxvii-p19" shownumber="no">1. That God had in many instances been very
gracious to them and had done great things for them. (1.) In
general (<scripRef id="Is.xxvii-p19.1" osisRef="Bible:Isa.26.12" parsed="|Isa|26|12|0|0" passage="Isa 26:12"><i>v.</i> 12</scripRef>):
<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 (<scripRef id="Is.xxvii-p19.2" osisRef="Bible:Isa.26.15" parsed="|Isa|26|15|0|0" passage="Isa 26:15"><i>v.</i>
15</scripRef>): "<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 class="indent" id="Is.xxvii-p20" shownumber="no">2. That yet he had laid them under his
rebukes.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Is.xxvii-p21" shownumber="no">(1.) The neighbouring nations had sometimes
oppressed them and tyrannised over them (<scripRef id="Is.xxvii-p21.1" osisRef="Bible:Isa.26.13" parsed="|Isa|26|13|0|0" passage="Isa 26:13"><i>v.</i> 13</scripRef>): "<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> <scripRef id="Is.xxvii-p21.2" osisRef="Bible:Isa.52.3-Isa.52.5" parsed="|Isa|52|3|52|5" passage="Isa 52:3-5"><i>ch.</i> lii. 3-5</scripRef>. 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 class="indent" id="Is.xxvii-p22" shownumber="no">(2.) They had sometimes been carried into
captivity before their enemies (<scripRef id="Is.xxvii-p22.1" osisRef="Bible:Isa.26.15" parsed="|Isa|26|15|0|0" passage="Isa 26:15"><i>v.</i> 15</scripRef>): "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, <scripRef id="Is.xxvii-p22.2" osisRef="Bible:Deut.30.4 Bible:Deut.28.64" parsed="|Deut|30|4|0|0;|Deut|28|64|0|0" passage="De 30:4,De 28:64">Deut. xxx. 4;
xxviii. 64</scripRef>. 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 class="indent" id="Is.xxvii-p23" shownumber="no">(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 (<scripRef id="Is.xxvii-p23.1" osisRef="Bible:Isa.26.16" parsed="|Isa|26|16|0|0" passage="Isa 26:16"><i>v.</i> 16</scripRef>): <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> <scripRef id="Is.xxvii-p23.2" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.12.6" parsed="|2Chr|12|6|0|0" passage="2Ch 12:6">2 Chron. xii.
6</scripRef>. 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, <scripRef id="Is.xxvii-p23.3" osisRef="Bible:Hos.5.15" parsed="|Hos|5|15|0|0" passage="Ho 5:15">Hos. v.
15</scripRef>. 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 class="indent" id="Is.xxvii-p24" shownumber="no">(4.) He complains that their struggles for
their own liberty had been very painful and perilous, but that they
had not been successful, <scripRef id="Is.xxvii-p24.1" osisRef="Bible:Isa.26.17-Isa.26.18" parsed="|Isa|26|17|26|18" passage="Isa 26:17,18"><i>v.</i>
17, 18</scripRef>. [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>
<scripRef id="Is.xxvii-p24.2" osisRef="Bible:Ps.38.9" parsed="|Ps|38|9|0|0" passage="Ps 38:9">Ps. xxxviii. 9</scripRef>. 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> <scripRef id="Is.xxvii-p24.3" osisRef="Bible:John.16.21" parsed="|John|16|21|0|0" passage="Joh 16:21">John xvi.
21</scripRef>. 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 class="indent" id="Is.xxvii-p25" shownumber="no">II. His prospects and hopes are very
pleasant. In general, "<i>Thou wilt ordain peace for us</i>
(<scripRef id="Is.xxvii-p25.1" osisRef="Bible:Isa.26.12" parsed="|Isa|26|12|0|0" passage="Isa 26:12"><i>v.</i> 12</scripRef>), 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
(<scripRef id="Is.xxvii-p25.2" osisRef="Bible:Ps.10.17" parsed="|Ps|10|17|0|0" passage="Ps 10:17">Ps. x. 17</scripRef>); and, when this
peace is ordained for us, then <i>by thee only will we make mention
of thy name</i> (<scripRef id="Is.xxvii-p25.3" osisRef="Bible:Isa.26.13" parsed="|Isa|26|13|0|0" passage="Isa 26:13"><i>v.</i>
13</scripRef>); 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 (<scripRef id="Is.xxvii-p25.4" osisRef="Bible:Isa.26.14" parsed="|Isa|26|14|0|0" passage="Isa 26:14"><i>v.</i> 14</scripRef>): <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 <scripRef id="Is.xxvii-p25.5" osisRef="Bible:Isa.26.19" parsed="|Isa|26|19|0|0" passage="Isa 26:19"><i>v.</i> 19</scripRef>, 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,
<scripRef id="Is.xxvii-p25.6" osisRef="Bible:Isa.26.19" parsed="|Isa|26|19|0|0" passage="Isa 26:19"><i>v.</i> 19</scripRef>. 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>
(<scripRef id="Is.xxvii-p25.7" osisRef="Bible:Isa.26.18" parsed="|Isa|26|18|0|0" passage="Isa 26:18"><i>v.</i> 18</scripRef>), 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, <scripRef id="Is.xxvii-p25.8" osisRef="Bible:Rev.11.11" parsed="|Rev|11|11|0|0" passage="Re 11:11">Rev. xi. 11</scripRef>. The <i>dry bones shall live,</i>
and become an <i>exceedingly great army,</i> <scripRef id="Is.xxvii-p25.9" osisRef="Bible:Ezek.37.10" parsed="|Ezek|37|10|0|0" passage="Eze 37:10">Ezek. xxxvii. 10</scripRef>. <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>
<scripRef id="Is.xxvii-p25.10" osisRef="Bible:Isa.33.20" parsed="|Isa|33|20|0|0" passage="Isa 33:20"><i>ch.</i> xxxiii. 20</scripRef>. 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>
</div><scripCom id="Is.xxvii-p25.11" osisRef="Bible:Isa.26.20-Isa.26.21" parsed="|Isa|26|20|26|21" passage="Isa 26:20-21" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Is.xxvii-p25.12">
<h4 id="Is.xxvii-p25.13">The Sure Refuge. (<span class="smallcaps" id="Is.xxvii-p25.14">b. c.</span> 718.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="Is.xxvii-p26" shownumber="no">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.   21
For, behold, the <span class="smallcaps" id="Is.xxvii-p26.1">Lord</span> 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.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Is.xxvii-p27" shownumber="no">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 class="indent" id="Is.xxvii-p28" shownumber="no">I. He invites them into their chambers
(<scripRef id="Is.xxvii-p28.1" osisRef="Bible:Isa.26.20" parsed="|Isa|26|20|0|0" passage="Isa 26:20"><i>v.</i> 20</scripRef>): "<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," <scripRef id="Is.xxvii-p28.2" osisRef="Bible:Exod.9.21" parsed="|Exod|9|21|0|0" passage="Ex 9:21">Exod.
ix. 21</scripRef>. 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>" <scripRef id="Is.xxvii-p28.3" osisRef="Bible:2Cor.6.17 Bible:Rev.18.4" parsed="|2Cor|6|17|0|0;|Rev|18|4|0|0" passage="2Co 6:17,Re 18:4">2 Cor. vi.
17; Rev. xviii. 4</scripRef>. 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> <scripRef id="Is.xxvii-p28.4" osisRef="Bible:Ps.27.5" parsed="|Ps|27|5|0|0" passage="Ps 27:5">Ps. xxvii. 5</scripRef>. His name is a strong tower, into
which we may run for shelter, <scripRef id="Is.xxvii-p28.5" osisRef="Bible:Prov.18.10" parsed="|Prov|18|10|0|0" passage="Pr 18:10">Prov.
xviii. 10</scripRef>. We must by 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> <scripRef id="Is.xxvii-p28.6" osisRef="Bible:Matt.6.6" parsed="|Matt|6|6|0|0" passage="Mt 6:6">Matt. vi. 6</scripRef>. 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 class="indent" id="Is.xxvii-p29" shownumber="no">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 quæ cito pertransibit—It is a
little cloud, that will soon blow over. You shall have tribulation
ten days;</i> that is all, <scripRef id="Is.xxvii-p29.1" osisRef="Bible:Rev.2.10" parsed="|Rev|2|10|0|0" passage="Re 2:10">Rev. ii.
10</scripRef>. This enables God's suffering people to call their
afflictions light, that they are but for a moment.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Is.xxvii-p30" shownumber="no">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, <scripRef id="Is.xxvii-p30.1" osisRef="Bible:Isa.26.21" parsed="|Isa|26|21|0|0" passage="Isa 26:21"><i>v.</i> 21</scripRef>. 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> <scripRef id="Is.xxvii-p30.2" osisRef="Bible:Ps.37.13" parsed="|Ps|37|13|0|0" passage="Ps 37:13">Ps. xxxvii. 13</scripRef>.
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, <scripRef id="Is.xxvii-p30.3" osisRef="Bible:Zech.2.13" parsed="|Zech|2|13|0|0" passage="Zec 2:13">Zech. ii.
13</scripRef>. 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, <scripRef id="Is.xxvii-p30.4" osisRef="Bible:Gen.9.10-Gen.9.11 Bible:Job.20.27" parsed="|Gen|9|10|9|11;|Job|20|27|0|0" passage="Ge 9:10,11,Job 20:27">Gen. ix. 10, 11; Job xx. 27</scripRef>.
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>
</div></div2>