mh_parser/vol_split/23 - Isaiah/Chapter 66.xml

<div2 id="Is.lxvii" n="lxvii" next="Jer" prev="Is.lxvi" progress="26.28%" title="Chapter LXVI">
<h2 id="Is.lxvii-p0.1">I S A I A H.</h2>
<h3 id="Is.lxvii-p0.2">CHAP. LXVI.</h3>
<p class="intro" id="Is.lxvii-p1" shownumber="no">The scope of this chapter is much the same as that
of the foregoing chapter and many expressions of it are the same;
it therefore looks the same way, to the different state of the good
and bad among the Jews at their return out of captivity, but that
typifying the rejection of the Jews in the days of the Messiah, the
conversion of the Gentiles, and the setting up of the
gospel-kingdom in the world. The <scripRef id="Is.lxvii-p1.1" osisRef="Bible:Isa.66.1" parsed="|Isa|66|1|0|0" passage="Isa 66:1">first
verse</scripRef> of this chapter is applied by Stephen to the
dismantling of the temple by the planting of the Christian church
(<scripRef id="Is.lxvii-p1.2" osisRef="Bible:Acts.7.49-Acts.7.50" parsed="|Acts|7|49|7|50" passage="Ac 7:49,50">Acts vii. 49, 50</scripRef>), which
may serve as a key to the whole chapter. We have here, I. The
contempt God puts upon ceremonial services in comparison with moral
duties, and an intimation therein of his purpose shortly to put an
end to the temple, and sacrifice and reject those that adhered to
them, <scripRef id="Is.lxvii-p1.3" osisRef="Bible:Isa.66.1-Isa.66.4" parsed="|Isa|66|1|66|4" passage="Isa 66:1-4">ver. 1-4</scripRef>. II. The
salvation God will in due time work for his people out of the hands
of their oppressors (<scripRef id="Is.lxvii-p1.4" osisRef="Bible:Isa.66.5" parsed="|Isa|66|5|0|0" passage="Isa 66:5">ver.
5</scripRef>), speaking terror to the persecutors (<scripRef id="Is.lxvii-p1.5" osisRef="Bible:Isa.66.6" parsed="|Isa|66|6|0|0" passage="Isa 66:6">ver. 6</scripRef>) and comfort to the
persecuted, a speedy and complete deliverance (<scripRef id="Is.lxvii-p1.6" osisRef="Bible:Isa.66.7-Isa.66.9" parsed="|Isa|66|7|66|9" passage="Isa 66:7-9">ver. 7-9</scripRef>), a joyful settlement (<scripRef id="Is.lxvii-p1.7" osisRef="Bible:Isa.66.10-Isa.66.11" parsed="|Isa|66|10|66|11" passage="Isa 66:10,11">ver. 10, 11</scripRef>), the accession of
the Gentiles to them, and abundance of satisfaction therein,
<scripRef id="Is.lxvii-p1.8" osisRef="Bible:Isa.66.12-Isa.66.14" parsed="|Isa|66|12|66|14" passage="Isa 66:12-14">ver. 12-14</scripRef>. III. The
terrible vengeance which God will bring upon the enemies of his
church and people, <scripRef id="Is.lxvii-p1.9" osisRef="Bible:Isa.66.15-Isa.66.18" parsed="|Isa|66|15|66|18" passage="Isa 66:15-18">ver.
15-18</scripRef>. IV. The happy establishment of the church upon
large and sure foundations, its constant attendance on God and
triumph over its enemies, <scripRef id="Is.lxvii-p1.10" osisRef="Bible:Isa.66.19-Isa.66.24" parsed="|Isa|66|19|66|24" passage="Isa 66:19-24">ver.
19-24</scripRef>. And we may well expect that this evangelical
prophet, here, in the close of his prophecy, should (as he does)
look as far forward as to the latter days, to the last day, to the
days of eternity.</p>
<scripCom id="Is.lxvii-p1.11" osisRef="Bible:Isa.66" parsed="|Isa|66|0|0|0" passage="Isa 66" type="Commentary"/>
<scripCom id="Is.lxvii-p1.12" osisRef="Bible:Isa.66.1-Isa.66.4" parsed="|Isa|66|1|66|4" passage="Isa 66:1-4" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Is.lxvii-p1.13">
<h4 id="Is.lxvii-p1.14">The Vanity of Mere Ritual
Obedience. (<span class="smallcaps" id="Is.lxvii-p1.15">b. c.</span> 706.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="Is.lxvii-p2" shownumber="no">1 Thus saith the <span class="smallcaps" id="Is.lxvii-p2.1">Lord</span>, The heaven <i>is</i> my throne, and the
earth <i>is</i> my footstool: where <i>is</i> the house that ye
build unto me? and where <i>is</i> the place of my rest?   2
For all those <i>things</i> hath mine hand made, and all those
<i>things</i> have been, saith the <span class="smallcaps" id="Is.lxvii-p2.2">Lord</span>: but to this <i>man</i> will I look,
<i>even</i> to <i>him that is</i> poor and of a contrite spirit,
and trembleth at my word.   3 He that killeth an ox <i>is as
if</i> he slew a man; he that sacrificeth a lamb, <i>as if</i> he
cut off a dog's neck; he that offereth an oblation, <i>as if he
offered</i> swine's blood; he that burneth incense, <i>as if</i> he
blessed an idol. Yea, they have chosen their own ways, and their
soul delighteth in their abominations.   4 I also will choose
their delusions, and will bring their fears upon them; because when
I called, none did answer; when I spake, they did not hear: but
they did evil before mine eyes, and chose <i>that</i> in which I
delighted not.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Is.lxvii-p3" shownumber="no">Here, I. The temple is slighted in
comparison with a gracious soul, <scripRef id="Is.lxvii-p3.1" osisRef="Bible:Isa.66.1-Isa.66.2" parsed="|Isa|66|1|66|2" passage="Isa 66:1,2"><i>v.</i> 1, 2</scripRef>. The Jews in the prophet's
time, and afterwards in Christ's time, gloried much in the temple
and promised themselves great things from it; to humble them
therefore, and to shake their vain confidence, both the prophets
and Christ foretold the ruin of the temple, that God would leave it
and then it would soon be desolate. After it was destroyed by the
Chaldeans it soon recovered itself and the ceremonial services were
revived with it; but by the Romans it was made a perpetual
desolation, and the ceremonial law was abolished with it. That the
world might be prepared for this, they were often told, as here, of
what little account the temple was with God. 1. That he did not
need it. Heaven is the throne of his glory and government; there he
sits, infinitely exalted in the highest dignity and dominion, above
all blessing and praise. The earth is his footstool, on which he
stands, over-ruling all the affairs of it according to his will. If
God has so bright a throne, so large a footstool, <i>where then is
the house they can build</i> unto God, that can be the residence of
his glory, or <i>where is the place of his rest?</i> What
satisfaction can the Eternal Mind take in a house made with men's
hands? What occasion has he, as we have, for a house to repose
himself in, who <i>faints not neither is weary,</i> who neither
slumbers nor sleeps? Or, if he had occasion, he <i>would not tell
us</i> (<scripRef id="Is.lxvii-p3.2" osisRef="Bible:Ps.50.12" parsed="|Ps|50|12|0|0" passage="Ps 50:12">Ps. l. 12</scripRef>), for
<i>all these things hath his hand made,</i> heaven and all its
courts, earth and all its borders, and all the hosts of both. All
<i>these things have been,</i> have had their beginning, by the
power of God, who was happy from eternity before they were, and
therefore could not be benefited by them. <i>All these things
are</i> (so some read it); they still continue, upheld by the same
power that made them; so that <i>our goodness extends not to
him.</i> If he required a house for himself to dwell in, he would
have made one himself when he made the world; and, if he had made
one, it would have continued to this day, as other creatures do,
according to his ordinance; so that he had no need of a temple made
with hands. 2. That he would not heed it as he would a humble,
penitent, gracious heart. He has a heaven and earth of his own
making, and a temple of man's making; but he overlooks them all,
that he may look with favour to him that is poor in spirit, humble
and serious, self-abasing and self-denying, whose heart is truly
contrite for sin, penitent for it, and in pain to get it pardoned,
and who <i>trembles at God's word,</i> not as Felix did, with a
transient qualm that was over when the sermon was done, but with an
habitual awe of God's majesty and purity and an habitual dread of
his justice and wrath. Such a heart is a living temple for God; he
dwells there, and it is the place of his rest; it is like heaven
and earth, his throne and his footstool.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Is.lxvii-p4" shownumber="no">II. Sacrifices are slighted when they come
from ungracious hands. <i>The sacrifice of the wicked</i> is not
only unacceptable, but it <i>is an abomination to the Lord</i>
(<scripRef id="Is.lxvii-p4.1" osisRef="Bible:Prov.15.8" parsed="|Prov|15|8|0|0" passage="Pr 15:8">Prov. xv. 8</scripRef>); this is
largely shown here, <scripRef id="Is.lxvii-p4.2" osisRef="Bible:Isa.66.3-Isa.66.4" parsed="|Isa|66|3|66|4" passage="Isa 66:3,4"><i>v.</i> 3,
4</scripRef>. Observe, 1. How detestable their sacrifices were to
God. The carnal Jews, after their return out of captivity, though
they relapsed not to idolatry, grew very careless and loose in the
service of God; they brought the <i>torn, and the lame, and the
sick</i> for <i>sacrifice</i> (<scripRef id="Is.lxvii-p4.3" osisRef="Bible:Mal.1.8 Bible:Mal.1.13" parsed="|Mal|1|8|0|0;|Mal|1|13|0|0" passage="Mal 1:8,13">Mal.
i. 8, 13</scripRef>), and this made their services abominable to
God; they had no regard to their sacrifices, and therefore how
could they think God would have any regard to them? The unbelieving
Jews, after the gospel was preached and in it notice given of the
offering up of the great sacrifice, which put an end to all the
ceremonial services, continued to offer sacrifices, as if the law
of Moses had been still in force and could <i>make the comers
thereunto perfect:</i> this was an abomination. <i>He that kills an
ox</i> for his own table is welcome to do it; but he that now kills
it, that thus kills it, for God's altar, <i>is as if he slew a
man;</i> it is as great an offence to God as murder itself; he that
does it does in effect set aside Christ's sacrifice, <i>treads
under foot the blood of the covenant,</i> and makes himself
accessory to the guilt of <i>the body and blood of the Lord,</i>
setting up what Christ died to abolish. <i>He that sacrifices a
lamb,</i> if it be a corrupt thing, and not the male in his flock,
the best he has, if he think to put God off with any thing, he
affronts him, instead of pleasing him; it is <i>as if he cut off a
dog's neck,</i> a creature in the eye of the law so vile that,
whereas an ass might be redeemed, the price of a dog was never to
be brought into the treasury, <scripRef id="Is.lxvii-p4.4" osisRef="Bible:Deut.23.18" parsed="|Deut|23|18|0|0" passage="De 23:18">Deut.
xxiii. 18</scripRef>. <i>He that offers an oblation,</i> a meat
offering or drink-offering, is as if he thought to make atonement
with <i>swine's blood,</i> a creature that must not be eaten nor
touched, the <i>broth of it</i> was abominable (<scripRef id="Is.lxvii-p4.5" osisRef="Bible:Isa.65.4" parsed="|Isa|65|4|0|0" passage="Isa 65:4"><i>ch.</i> lxv. 4</scripRef>), much more the blood of
it. <i>He that burns incense to God,</i> and so puts contempt upon
the incense of Christ's intercession, is <i>as if he blessed an
idol;</i> it was as great an affront to God as if they had paid
their devotions to a false god. Hypocrisy and profaneness are as
provoking as idolatry. 2. What their wickedness was which made
their sacrifices thus detestable. It was <i>because they had chosen
their own ways,</i> the ways of their own wicked hearts, and not
only their hands did but <i>their souls delighted in their
abominations.</i> They were vicious and immoral in their
conversations, chose the way of sin rather than the way of God's
commandments, and took pleasure in that which was provoking to God;
this made their sacrifices so offensive to God, <scripRef id="Is.lxvii-p4.6" osisRef="Bible:Isa.1.11-Isa.1.15" parsed="|Isa|1|11|1|15" passage="Isa 1:11-15"><i>ch.</i> i. 11-15</scripRef>. Those that pretend to
honour God by a profession of religion, and yet live wicked lives,
put an affront upon him, as if he were the patron of sin. And that
which was an aggravation of their wickedness was that they
persisted in it, notwithstanding the frequent calls given them to
repent and reform; they turned a deaf ear to all the warnings of
divine justice and all the offers of divine grace: <i>When I
called, none did answer,</i> as before, <scripRef id="Is.lxvii-p4.7" osisRef="Bible:Isa.65.12" parsed="|Isa|65|12|0|0" passage="Isa 65:12"><i>ch.</i> lxv. 12</scripRef>. And the same follows
here that did there: <i>They did evil before my eyes.</i> Being
deaf to what he said, they cared not what he saw, but <i>chose that
in which</i> they knew <i>he delighted not.</i> How could those
expect to please him in their devotions who took no care to please
him in their conversations, but, on the contrary, designed to
provoke him? 3. The doom passed upon them for this. They<i>chose
their own ways,</i> therefore, says God, I also will <i>choose
their delusions. They have made their choice</i> (as Mr. Gataker
paraphrases it), <i>and now I will make mine; they have taken what
course they pleased with me, and I will take what course I please
with them.</i> I will choose their <i>illusions,</i> or
<i>mockeries</i> (so some); as they have mocked God and dishonoured
him by their wickedness, so God will give them up to their enemies,
to be trampled upon and insulted by them. Or they shall be deceived
by those vain confidences with which they have deceived themselves.
God will make their sin their punishment; they shall be beaten with
their own rod and hurried into ruin by their own delusions. God
will <i>bring their fears upon them,</i> that is, will bring upon
them that which shall be a great terror to them, or that which they
themselves have been afraid of and thought to escape by sinful
shifts. Unbelieving hearts, and unpurified unpacified consciences,
need no more to make them miserable than to have their own fears
brought upon them.</p>
</div><scripCom id="Is.lxvii-p4.8" osisRef="Bible:Isa.66.5-Isa.66.14" parsed="|Isa|66|5|66|14" passage="Isa 66:5-14" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Is.lxvii-p4.9">
<h4 id="Is.lxvii-p4.10">Encouragement to the Persecuted; The
Enlargement of the Church. (<span class="smallcaps" id="Is.lxvii-p4.11">b. c.</span> 706.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="Is.lxvii-p5" shownumber="no">5 Hear the word of the <span class="smallcaps" id="Is.lxvii-p5.1">Lord</span>, ye that tremble at his word; Your brethren
that hated you, that cast you out for my name's sake, said, Let the
<span class="smallcaps" id="Is.lxvii-p5.2">Lord</span> be glorified: but he shall
appear to your joy, and they shall be ashamed.   6 A voice of
noise from the city, a voice from the temple, a voice of the <span class="smallcaps" id="Is.lxvii-p5.3">Lord</span> that rendereth recompence to his
enemies.   7 Before she travailed, she brought forth; before
her pain came, she was delivered of a man child.   8 Who hath
heard such a thing? who hath seen such things? Shall the earth be
made to bring forth in one day? <i>or</i> shall a nation be born at
once? for as soon as Zion travailed, she brought forth her
children.   9 Shall I bring to the birth, and not cause to
bring forth? saith the <span class="smallcaps" id="Is.lxvii-p5.4">Lord</span>: shall I
cause to bring forth, and shut <i>the womb?</i> saith thy God.
  10 Rejoice ye with Jerusalem, and be glad with her, all ye
that love her: rejoice for joy with her, all ye that mourn for her:
  11 That ye may suck, and be satisfied with the breasts of
her consolations; that ye may milk out, and be delighted with the
abundance of her glory.   12 For thus saith the <span class="smallcaps" id="Is.lxvii-p5.5">Lord</span>, Behold, I will extend peace to her like a
river, and the glory of the Gentiles like a flowing stream: then
shall ye suck, ye shall be borne upon <i>her</i> sides, and be
dandled upon <i>her</i> knees.   13 As one whom his mother
comforteth, so will I comfort you; and ye shall be comforted in
Jerusalem.   14 And when ye see <i>this,</i> your heart shall
rejoice, and your bones shall flourish like a herb: and the hand of
the <span class="smallcaps" id="Is.lxvii-p5.6">Lord</span> shall be known toward his
servants, and <i>his</i> indignation toward his enemies.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Is.lxvii-p6" shownumber="no">The prophet, having denounced God's
judgments against a hypocritical nation, that made a jest of God's
word and would not answer him when he called to them, here turns
his speech to those that <i>trembled at his word,</i> to comfort
and encourage them; they shall not be involved in the judgments
that are coming upon their unbelieving nation. Ministers must
distinguish thus, that, when they speak terror to the wicked, they
may not <i>make the hearts of the righteous sad. Bone Christiane,
hoc nihil ad te—Good Christian, this is nothing to thee.</i> The
prophet, having assured those that tremble at God's word of a
gracious look from him (<scripRef id="Is.lxvii-p6.1" osisRef="Bible:Isa.66.2" parsed="|Isa|66|2|0|0" passage="Isa 66:2"><i>v.</i>
2</scripRef>), here brings them a gracious message from him. The
word of God has comforts in store for those that by true
humiliation for sin are prepared to receive them. There were those
(<scripRef id="Is.lxvii-p6.2" osisRef="Bible:Isa.66.4" parsed="|Isa|66|4|0|0" passage="Isa 66:4"><i>v.</i> 4</scripRef>) who, when
<i>God spoke, would not hear;</i> but, if some will not, others
will. If the heart <i>tremble at the word,</i> the ear will be open
to it. Now what is here said to them?</p>
<p class="indent" id="Is.lxvii-p7" shownumber="no">I. Let them know that God will plead their
just but injured cause against their persecutors (<scripRef id="Is.lxvii-p7.1" osisRef="Bible:Isa.66.5" parsed="|Isa|66|5|0|0" passage="Isa 66:5"><i>v.</i> 5</scripRef>): <i>Your brethren that
hated you said, Let the Lord be glorified. But he shall appear to
your joy.</i> This perhaps might have reference to the case of some
of the Jews at their return out of captivity; but nothing like it
appears in the history, and therefore it is rather to be referred
to the first preachers and professors of the gospel among the Jews,
to whose case it is very applicable. Observe, 1. How the faithful
servants of God were persecuted: <i>Their brethren hated them.</i>
The apostles were Jews by birth, and yet even in the cities of the
Gentiles the Jews they met with there were their most bitter and
implacable enemies and <i>stirred up the Gentiles</i> against them.
The spouse complains (<scripRef id="Is.lxvii-p7.2" osisRef="Bible:Song.1.6" parsed="|Song|1|6|0|0" passage="So 1:6">Cant. i.
6</scripRef>) that her <i>mother's children were angry with
her.</i> Pilate upbraided our Lord Jesus with this, <i>Thy own
nation have delivered thee unto me,</i> <scripRef id="Is.lxvii-p7.3" osisRef="Bible:John.18.35" parsed="|John|18|35|0|0" passage="Joh 18:35">John xviii. 35</scripRef>. Their brethren, who should
have loved them and encouraged them for their work's sake hated
them, and cast them out of their synagogues, excommunicated them as
if they had been the greatest blemishes, when they were really the
greatest blessings, of their church and nation. This was a fruit of
the old enmity in the <i>seed of the serpent</i> against the
<i>seed of the woman.</i> Those that hated Christ hated his
disciples, because they supported his kingdom and interest
(<scripRef id="Is.lxvii-p7.4" osisRef="Bible:John.15.18" parsed="|John|15|18|0|0" passage="Joh 15:18">John xv. 18</scripRef>), and they
<i>cast them out for his name's sake,</i> because they were called
by his name, and called upon his name, and laid out themselves to
advance his name. Note, It is no new thing for church censures to
be misapplied, and for her artillery, which was intended for her
defence, to be turned against her best friends, by the treachery of
her governors. And those that did this <i>said, Let the Lord be
glorified;</i> they pretended conscience and a zeal for the honour
of God and the church in it, and did it with all the formalities of
devotion. Our Saviour explains this, and seems to have reference to
it, <scripRef id="Is.lxvii-p7.5" osisRef="Bible:John.16.2" parsed="|John|16|2|0|0" passage="Joh 16:2">John xvi. 2</scripRef>. <i>They
shall put you out of their synagogues,</i> and <i>whosoever kills
you will think that he does God service. In nomine Domini incipit
omne malum—In the name of the Lord commences evil of every
kind.</i> Or we may understand it as spoken in defiance of God:
"You say God will be glorified in your deliverance; <i>let him be
glorified then; let him make speed and hasten his work</i>
(<scripRef id="Is.lxvii-p7.6" osisRef="Bible:Isa.5.19" parsed="|Isa|5|19|0|0" passage="Isa 5:19"><i>ch.</i> v. 19</scripRef>); <i>let
him deliver him, seeing he delighted in him."</i> Some take it to
be the language of the profane Jews in captivity, bantering their
brethren that hoped for deliverance, and ridiculing the
expectations they often comforted themselves with, that God would
shortly be glorified in it. They thus did what they could to
<i>shame the counsel of the poor,</i> <scripRef id="Is.lxvii-p7.7" osisRef="Bible:Ps.14.6" parsed="|Ps|14|6|0|0" passage="Ps 14:6">Ps. xiv. 6</scripRef>. 2. How they were encouraged under
these persecutions: "Let your faith and patience hold out yet a
little while; your enemies hate you and oppress you, your brethren
hate you and cast you out, but your Father in heaven loves you, and
will appear for you when no one else will or dare. His providence
shall order things so as shall be for comfort to you; he shall
appear <i>for your joy</i> and for the confusion of those that
abuse you and trample on you; they <i>shall be ashamed</i> of their
enmity to you." This was fulfilled when, upon the signals given of
Jerusalem's approaching ruin, the <i>Jews' hearts failed them for
fear;</i> but the disciples of Christ, whom they had hated and
persecuted, <i>lifted up their heads with joy, knowing that their
redemption drew nigh,</i> <scripRef id="Is.lxvii-p7.8" osisRef="Bible:Luke.21.26 Bible:Luke.21.28" parsed="|Luke|21|26|0|0;|Luke|21|28|0|0" passage="Lu 21:26,28">Luke xxi.
26, 28</scripRef>. Though God seem to hide himself, he will in due
time show himself.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Is.lxvii-p8" shownumber="no">II. Let them know that God's appearances
for them will be such as will make a great noise in the world
(<scripRef id="Is.lxvii-p8.1" osisRef="Bible:Isa.66.6" parsed="|Isa|66|6|0|0" passage="Isa 66:6"><i>v.</i> 6</scripRef>): There shall
be <i>a voice of noise from the city, from the temple.</i> Some
make it the joyful and triumphant voice of the church's friends,
others the frightful lamenting voice of her enemies, surprised in
the city, and fleeing in vain to the temple for shelter. These
voices do but echo to the <i>voice of the Lord,</i> who is now
rendering a <i>recompence to his enemies;</i> and those that will
not hear him speaking this terror shall hear them returning the
alarms of it in doleful shrieks. We may well think what a confused
noise there was in the city and temple when Jerusalem, after a long
siege, was at last taken by the Romans. Some think this prophecy
was fulfilled in the prodigies that went before that destruction of
Jerusalem, related by Josephus in his <i>History of the Wars of the
Jews</i> (4.388 and 6.311), that the temple-doors flew open
suddenly of their own accord, and the priests heard a noise of
motion or shifting in the most holy place, and presently a voice,
saying, <i>Let us depart hence.</i> And, some time after, one Jesus
Bar-Annas went up and down the city, at the feast of tabernacles,
continually crying, <i>A voice from the east, a voice from the
west, a voice from the four winds, a voice against Jerusalem and
the temple, a voice against all this people.</i></p>
<p class="indent" id="Is.lxvii-p9" shownumber="no">III. Let them know that God will set up a
church for himself in the world, which shall be abundantly
replenished in a little time (<scripRef id="Is.lxvii-p9.1" osisRef="Bible:Isa.66.7" parsed="|Isa|66|7|0|0" passage="Isa 66:7"><i>v.</i> 7</scripRef>): <i>Before she travailed she
brought forth.</i> This is to be applied in the type to the
deliverance of the Jews out of their captivity in Babylon, which
was brought about very easily and silently, without any pain or
struggle, such as was when they were brought out of Egypt; that was
done <i>by might and power</i> (<scripRef id="Is.lxvii-p9.2" osisRef="Bible:Deut.4.34" parsed="|Deut|4|34|0|0" passage="De 4:34">Deut.
iv. 34</scripRef>), but this by <i>the Spirit of the Lord of
hosts,</i> <scripRef id="Is.lxvii-p9.3" osisRef="Bible:Zech.4.6" parsed="|Zech|4|6|0|0" passage="Zec 4:6">Zech. iv. 6</scripRef>. The
man-child of the deliverance is rejoiced in, and yet the mother was
never in labour for it; <i>before her pain came she was
delivered.</i> This is altogether surprising, uncommon, and without
precedent, unless in the story which the Egyptian midwives told of
the Hebrew women (<scripRef id="Is.lxvii-p9.4" osisRef="Bible:Exod.1.19" parsed="|Exod|1|19|0|0" passage="Ex 1:19">Exod. i.
19</scripRef>), that <i>they were lively and were delivered ere the
midwives came in unto them.</i> But <i>shall the earth be made to
bring forth her fruits in one day?</i> No, it is the work of some
weeks in the spring to <i>renew the face of the earth</i> and cover
it with its products. Some read this to the same purport with the
next clause, <i>Shall a land be brought forth in one day,</i> or
<i>shall a nation be born at once?</i> Is it to be imagined that a
woman at one birth should bring children sufficient to people a
country and that they should in an instant grow up to maturity? No;
something like this was done in the creation; but God has since
rested from all such works, and leaves second causes to produce
their effects gradually. <i>Nihil facit per saltum—He does nothing
abruptly.</i> Yet, in this case, <i>as soon as Zion travailed she
brought forth.</i> Cyrus's proclamation was no sooner issued out
than the captives were formed into a body and were ready to make
the best of their way to their own land. And the reason is given
(<scripRef id="Is.lxvii-p9.5" osisRef="Bible:Isa.66.9" parsed="|Isa|66|9|0|0" passage="Isa 66:9"><i>v.</i> 9</scripRef>), because
<i>it is the Lord's doing; he</i> undertakes it whose work is
perfect. If he <i>bring to the birth</i> in preparing his people
for deliverance, he will <i>cause to bring forth</i> in the
accomplishment of the deliverance. When every thing is ripe and
ready for their release, and the number of their months is
accomplished, so that <i>the children are brought to the birth,</i>
shall not I then <i>give strength to bring forth,</i> but leave
mother and babe to perish together in the most miserable case? How
will this agree with the divine pity? Shall I begin a work and not
go through with it? How will that agree with the divine power and
perfection? <i>Am I he that causes to bring forth</i> (so the
following clause may be read) <i>and shall I restrain her?</i> Does
God cause mankind, and all the species of living creatures, to
propagate, and <i>replenish the earth,</i> and <i>will he restrain
Zion?</i> Will he not make her fruitful in a blessed offspring to
replenish the church? Or, <i>Am I he that begat, and should I
restrain from bringing forth?</i> Did God beget the deliverance in
his purpose and promise, and will he not bring it forth in the
accomplishment and performance of it? But this was a figure of the
setting up of the Christian church in the world, and the
replenishing of that family with children which was to be named
from Jesus Christ. When the Spirit was poured out, and the gospel
went forth from Zion, multitudes were converted in a little time
and with little pains compared with the vast product. The apostles,
even before they travailed, brought forth, and the children born to
Christ were so numerous, and so suddenly and easily produced, that
they were rather like the dew from the morning's womb than like the
son from the mother's womb, <scripRef id="Is.lxvii-p9.6" osisRef="Bible:Ps.110.3" parsed="|Ps|110|3|0|0" passage="Ps 110:3">Ps. cx.
3</scripRef>. The success of the gospel was astonishing; that
light, like the morning, strangely diffused itself till it took
hold even of <i>the ends of the earth.</i> Cities and nations were
born at once to Christ. The same day that the Spirit was poured out
there were 3000 souls added to the church. And, when this glorious
work was once begun, it was carried on wonderfully, beyond what
could be imagined, <i>so mightily grew the word of God and
prevailed.</i> He that brought to the birth in conviction of sin
caused to bring forth in a thorough conversion to God.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Is.lxvii-p10" shownumber="no">IV. Let them know that their present
sorrows shall shortly be turned into abundant joys, <scripRef id="Is.lxvii-p10.1" osisRef="Bible:Isa.66.10-Isa.66.11" parsed="|Isa|66|10|66|11" passage="Isa 66:10,11"><i>v.</i> 10, 11</scripRef>. Observe, 1. How
the church's friends are described; they are such as <i>love her,
and mourn</i> with her and <i>for her.</i> Note, All that love God
love Jerusalem; they love the church of God, and lay its interest
very near their heart. They admire the beauty of the church, take
pleasure in communion with it, and heartily espouse its cause. And
those that have a sincere affection for the church have a cordial
sympathy with her in all the cares and sorrows of her militant
state. They mourn for her; all her grievances are their griefs; if
Jerusalem be in distress, their harps are hung on the willow-trees.
2. How they are encouraged: <i>Rejoice with her,</i> and again and
again <i>I say, Rejoice.</i> This intimates that Jerusalem shall
have cause to rejoice; the days of her mourning shall be at an end,
and she shall be comforted according to the time that she has been
afflicted. It is the will of God that all her friends should join
with her in her joys, for they shall share with her in those
blessings that will be the matter of her joy. If <i>we suffer with
Christ</i> and sorrow with his church, <i>we shall reign with
him</i> and rejoice with her. We are here called, (1.) To bear our
part in the church's praises: "Come, <i>rejoice with her, rejoice
for joy with her,</i> rejoice greatly, rejoice and know why you
rejoice, rejoice on the days appointed for public thanksgiving. You
that mourned for her in her sorrows cannot but from the same
principle rejoice with her in her joys." (2.) To take our part in
the church's comforts. We must <i>suck and be satisfied with the
breasts of her consolation.</i> The word of God, the covenant of
grace (especially the promises of that covenant), the ordinances of
God, and all the opportunities of attending on him and conversing
with him, are the breasts, which the church calls and counts the
<i>breasts of her consolations,</i> where her comforts are laid up,
and whence by faith and prayer they are drawn. With her therefore
we must suck from these breasts, by an application of the promises
of God to ourselves and a diligent attendance on his ordinances;
and with the consolations which are drawn hence we must be
satisfied, and not be dissatisfied though we have ever so little of
earthly comforts. It is the glory of the church that she has the
Lord for her God, that to her <i>pertain the adoption and the
service of God;</i> and with <i>the abundance of</i> this
<i>glory</i> we must be <i>delighted.</i> We must take more
pleasure in our relation to God and communion with him than in all
the delights of the sons and daughters of men. Whatever is the
glory of the church must be <i>our glory and joy,</i> particularly
her purity, unity, and increase.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Is.lxvii-p11" shownumber="no">V. Let them know that he who gives them
this call to rejoice will give them cause to do so and hearts to do
so, <scripRef id="Is.lxvii-p11.1" osisRef="Bible:Isa.66.12-Isa.66.14" parsed="|Isa|66|12|66|14" passage="Isa 66:12-14"><i>v.</i>
12-14</scripRef>.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Is.lxvii-p12" shownumber="no">1. He will give them cause to do so. For,
(1.) They shall enjoy a long uninterrupted course of prosperity:
<i>I will extend,</i> or am extending, <i>peace to her</i> (that
is, all good to her) <i>like a river</i> that runs in a constant
stream, still increasing till it be swallowed up in the ocean. The
gospel brings with it, wherever it is received in its power, such
peace as this, which shall go on <i>like a river,</i> supplying
souls with all good and making them fruitful, as a river does the
lands it passes through, such a <i>river of peace</i> as the
springs of the world's comforts cannot send forth and the dams of
the world's troubles cannot stop nor drive back nor its sand rack
up, such a river of peace as will carry us to the ocean of
boundless and endless bliss. (2.) There shall be large and
advantageous additions made to them: <i>The glory of the
Gentiles</i> shall come to them <i>like a flowing stream.</i>
Gentiles converts shall come pouring into the church, and swell the
river of her peace and prosperity; for they shall <i>bring their
glory</i> with them; their wealth and honour, their power and
interest, shall all be devoted to the service of God and employed
for the good of the church: "<i>Then shall you suck</i> from the
breasts of her consolations. When you see such crowding for a share
in those comforts you shall be the more solicitous and the more
vigorous to secure your share, not for fear of having the less for
others coming in to partake of Christ" (there is no danger of that;
he has enough for all and enough for each), "but <i>their zeal</i>
shall <i>provoke you to a holy jealousy.</i>" It is well when it
does so, <scripRef id="Is.lxvii-p12.1" osisRef="Bible:Rom.11.14 Bible:2Cor.9.2" parsed="|Rom|11|14|0|0;|2Cor|9|2|0|0" passage="Ro 11:14,2Co 9:2">Rom. xi. 14; 2 Cor.
ix. 2</scripRef>. (3.) God shall be glorified in all, and that
ought to be more the matter of our joy than any thing else
(<scripRef id="Is.lxvii-p12.2" osisRef="Bible:Isa.66.14" parsed="|Isa|66|14|0|0" passage="Isa 66:14"><i>v.</i> 14</scripRef>): <i>The
hand of the Lord shall be known towards his servants,</i> the
protecting supporting hand of his almighty power, the supplying
enriching hand of his inexhaustible goodness; the benefit which his
servants have by both these <i>shall be known</i> to his glory as
well as theirs. And, to make this the more illustrious, he will at
the same time make known <i>his indignation towards his
enemies.</i> God's mercy and justice shall both be manifested and
for ever magnified.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Is.lxvii-p13" shownumber="no">2. God will not only give them cause to
rejoice, but will speak comfort to them, will speak it <i>to their
hearts;</i> and it is he only that can do that, and make it fasten
there. See what he will do for the comfort of all the sons of Zion.
(1.) Their country shall be their tender nurse: You shall be
<i>carried on her sides,</i> under her arms, as little children
are, and shall be <i>dangled upon her knees,</i> as darlings are,
especially when they are weary and out of humour, and must be got
to sleep. Those that are joined to the church must be treated thus
affectionately. The great Shepherd <i>gathers the lambs in his arms
and carries them in his bosom,</i> and so must the under-shepherds,
that they may not be discouraged. Proselytes should be favourites.
(2.) God will himself be their powerful comforter: <i>As one whom
his mother comforts,</i> when he is sick or sore, or upon any
account in sorrow, <i>so will I comfort you;</i> not only with the
rational arguments which a prudent father uses, but with the tender
affections and compassions of a loving mother, that bemoans her
afflicted child when it has fallen and hurt itself, that she may
quiet it and make it easy, or endeavours to pacify it after she has
chidden it and fallen out with it (<scripRef id="Is.lxvii-p13.1" osisRef="Bible:Jer.31.20" parsed="|Jer|31|20|0|0" passage="Jer 31:20">Jer. xxxi. 20</scripRef>): <i>Since I spoke against
him, my bowels are troubled for him;</i> he is a dear son, he is a
pleasant child. Thus the mother comforts. Thus <i>you shall be
comforted in Jerusalem,</i> in the favours bestowed on the church,
which you shall partake of, and in the thanksgivings offered by the
church, which you shall concur with. (3.) They shall feel the
blessed effects of this comfort in their own souls (<scripRef id="Is.lxvii-p13.2" osisRef="Bible:Isa.66.13" parsed="|Isa|66|13|0|0" passage="Isa 66:13"><i>v.</i> 13</scripRef>): <i>When you see
this,</i> what a happy state the church is restored to, not only
your tongues and your countenances, but <i>your hearts shall
rejoice.</i> This was fulfilled in the wonderful satisfaction which
Christ's disciples had in the success of their ministry. Christ,
with an eye to that, tells them (<scripRef id="Is.lxvii-p13.3" osisRef="Bible:John.16.22" parsed="|John|16|22|0|0" passage="Joh 16:22">John
xvi. 22</scripRef>), <i>Your heart shall rejoice and your joy no
man taketh from you.</i> Then <i>your bones,</i> that were dried
and withered (the marrow of them quite exhausted), shall recover a
youthful strength and vigour and <i>shall flourish like a herb.</i>
Divine comforts reach the inward man; <i>they are marrow</i> and
moistening to the bones, <scripRef id="Is.lxvii-p13.4" osisRef="Bible:Prov.3.8" parsed="|Prov|3|8|0|0" passage="Pr 3:8">Prov. iii.
8</scripRef>. The bones are the strength of the body; those shall
be made to flourish with these comforts. <i>The joy of the Lord</i>
will be <i>your strength,</i> <scripRef id="Is.lxvii-p13.5" osisRef="Bible:Neh.8.10" parsed="|Neh|8|10|0|0" passage="Ne 8:10">Neh.
viii. 10</scripRef>.</p>
</div><scripCom id="Is.lxvii-p13.6" osisRef="Bible:Isa.66.15-Isa.66.24" parsed="|Isa|66|15|66|24" passage="Isa 66:15-24" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Is.lxvii-p13.7">
<h4 id="Is.lxvii-p13.8">Divine Judgment; Judgment and Mercy; The
Enlargement of the Church. (<span class="smallcaps" id="Is.lxvii-p13.9">b.
c.</span> 706.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="Is.lxvii-p14" shownumber="no">15 For, behold, the <span class="smallcaps" id="Is.lxvii-p14.1">Lord</span> will come with fire, and with his chariots
like a whirlwind, to render his anger with fury, and his rebuke
with flames of fire.   16 For by fire and by his sword will
the <span class="smallcaps" id="Is.lxvii-p14.2">Lord</span> plead with all flesh: and
the slain of the <span class="smallcaps" id="Is.lxvii-p14.3">Lord</span> shall be many.
  17 They that sanctify themselves, and purify themselves in
the gardens behind one <i>tree</i> in the midst, eating swine's
flesh, and the abomination, and the mouse, shall be consumed
together, saith the <span class="smallcaps" id="Is.lxvii-p14.4">Lord</span>.   18
For I <i>know</i> their works and their thoughts: it shall come,
that I will gather all nations and tongues; and they shall come,
and see my glory.   19 And I will set a sign among them, and I
will send those that escape of them unto the nations, <i>to</i>
Tarshish, Pul, and Lud, that draw the bow, <i>to</i> Tubal, and
Javan, <i>to</i> the isles afar off, that have not heard my fame,
neither have seen my glory; and they shall declare my glory among
the Gentiles.   20 And they shall bring all your brethren
<i>for</i> an offering unto the <span class="smallcaps" id="Is.lxvii-p14.5">Lord</span>
out of all nations upon horses, and in chariots, and in litters,
and upon mules, and upon swift beasts, to my holy mountain
Jerusalem, saith the <span class="smallcaps" id="Is.lxvii-p14.6">Lord</span>, as the
children of Israel bring an offering in a clean vessel into the
house of the <span class="smallcaps" id="Is.lxvii-p14.7">Lord</span>.   21 And I
will also take of them for priests <i>and</i> for Levites, saith
the <span class="smallcaps" id="Is.lxvii-p14.8">Lord</span>.   22 For as the new
heavens and the new earth, which I will make, shall remain before
me, saith the <span class="smallcaps" id="Is.lxvii-p14.9">Lord</span>, so shall your
seed and your name remain.   23 And it shall come to pass,
<i>that</i> from one new moon to another, and from one sabbath to
another, shall all flesh come to worship before me, saith the <span class="smallcaps" id="Is.lxvii-p14.10">Lord</span>.   24 And they shall go forth,
and look upon the carcases of the men that have transgressed
against me: for their worm shall not die, neither shall their fire
be quenched; and they shall be an abhorring unto all flesh.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Is.lxvii-p15" shownumber="no">These verses, like the pillar of cloud and
fire, have a dark side towards the enemies of God's kingdom and all
that are rebels against his crown, and a bright side towards his
faithful loyal subjects. Probably they refer to the Jews in
captivity in Babylon, of whom some are said to have been sent
thither for their hurt, and with them God here threatens to proceed
in his controversy; they hated to be reformed, and therefore should
be ruined by the calamity (<scripRef id="Is.lxvii-p15.1" osisRef="Bible:Jer.24.9" parsed="|Jer|24|9|0|0" passage="Jer 24:9">Jer. xxiv.
9</scripRef>); others were sent thither for their good, and they
should have the trouble sanctified to them, should in due time get
well through it and see many a good day after it. Many of the
expressions here used are accommodated to that glorious
dispensation; but doubtless the prophecy looks further, to the
judgment for which Christ did come once, and will come again, into
this world, and to the distinction which his word in both makes
<i>between the precious and the vile.</i></p>
<p class="indent" id="Is.lxvii-p16" shownumber="no">I. Christ will appear to the confusion and
terror of all those that stand it out against him. Sometimes he
will appear in temporal judgments. The Jews that persisted in
infidelity were cut off <i>by fire</i> and <i>by his sword.</i> The
ruin was very extensive; <i>the Lord</i> then <i>pleaded with all
flesh;</i> and, it being his sword with which they are cut off,
they are called <i>his slain,</i> sacrificed to his justice, and
they <i>shall be many.</i> In the great day the wrath of God will
be his fire and sword, with which he will cut off and consume all
the impenitent; and his word, when it takes hold of sinners'
consciences, burns like fire, and is sharper <i>than any two-edged
sword.</i> Idolaters will especially be contended with in the day
of wrath, <scripRef id="Is.lxvii-p16.1" osisRef="Bible:Isa.66.17" parsed="|Isa|66|17|0|0" passage="Isa 66:17"><i>v.</i> 17</scripRef>.
Perhaps some of those who returned out of Babylon retained such
instances of idolatry and superstition as are here mentioned, had
their <i>idols in their gardens</i> (not daring to set them up
publicly in the high places) and there <i>purified themselves</i>
(as the worshippers of the true God used to do) when they went
about their idolatrous rites, <i>one after another,</i> or, as we
read it, <i>behind one tree in the midst,</i> behind <i>Ahad</i> or
<i>Ehad,</i> some idol that they worshipped by that name and in
honour of which they <i>ate swine's flesh</i> (which was expressly
forbidden by the law of God), <i>and other abominations,</i> as
<i>the mouse,</i> or some other like animal. But the prophecy may
refer to all those judgments which the wrath of God, according to
the word of God, will bring upon provoking sinners, that live in
contempt of God and are devoted to the world and the flesh: They
<i>shall be consumed together.</i> From the happiness of heaven we
find expressly excluded all <i>idolaters, and whosoever worketh
abomination,</i> <scripRef id="Is.lxvii-p16.2" osisRef="Bible:Rev.21.27 Bible:Rev.22.15" parsed="|Rev|21|27|0|0;|Rev|22|15|0|0" passage="Re 21:27,22:15">Rev. xxi. 27;
xxii. 15</scripRef>. In the day of vengeance secret wickedness will
be brought to light and brought to the account; for (<scripRef id="Is.lxvii-p16.3" osisRef="Bible:Isa.66.18" parsed="|Isa|66|18|0|0" passage="Isa 66:18"><i>v.</i> 18</scripRef>), <i>I know their works
and their thoughts.</i> God knows both what men do and from what
principle and with what design they do it; and therefore is fit to
judge the world, because he can <i>judge the secrets of men,</i>
<scripRef id="Is.lxvii-p16.4" osisRef="Bible:Rom.2.16" parsed="|Rom|2|16|0|0" passage="Ro 2:16">Rom. ii. 16</scripRef>.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Is.lxvii-p17" shownumber="no">II. He will appear to the comfort and joy
of all that are faithful to him in the setting up of his kingdom in
this world, the kingdom of grace, the earnest and first-fruits of
the kingdom of glory. The time shall come that he will <i>gather
all nations and tongues to himself,</i> that they may <i>come and
see his glory</i> as it shines in the face of Jesus Christ,
<scripRef id="Is.lxvii-p17.1" osisRef="Bible:Isa.66.18" parsed="|Isa|66|18|0|0" passage="Isa 66:18"><i>v.</i> 18</scripRef>. This was
fulfilled when all nations were to be discipled and the gift of
tongues was bestowed in order thereunto. The church had hitherto
been confined to one nation and in one tongue only God was
worshipped; but in the days of the Messiah the partition-wall
should be taken down, and those that had been strangers to God
should be brought acquainted with him and should <i>see his
glory</i> in the gospel, as the Jews had seen it <i>in the
sanctuary.</i> As to this, it is here promised,</p>
<p class="indent" id="Is.lxvii-p18" shownumber="no">1. That some of the Jewish nation should,
by the grace of God, be distinguished form the rest, and marked for
salvation: I will not only set up a <i>gathering ensign</i> among
them, to which the Gentiles shall seek (as is promised, <scripRef id="Is.lxvii-p18.1" osisRef="Bible:Isa.11.12" parsed="|Isa|11|12|0|0" passage="Isa 11:12"><i>ch.</i> xi. 12</scripRef>), but there shall
be those among them on whom <i>I will set a differencing sign;</i>
for so the word signifies. Though they are a corrupt degenerate
nation, yet God will set apart a remnant of them, that shall be
devoted to him and employed for him, and a mark shall be set upon
them, with such certainty will God own them, <scripRef id="Is.lxvii-p18.2" osisRef="Bible:Ezek.9.4" parsed="|Ezek|9|4|0|0" passage="Eze 9:4">Ezek. ix. 4</scripRef>. The <i>servants of God</i> shall
be <i>sealed in their foreheads,</i> <scripRef id="Is.lxvii-p18.3" osisRef="Bible:Rev.7.3" parsed="|Rev|7|3|0|0" passage="Re 7:3">Rev. vii. 3</scripRef>. The Lord knows those that are his.
Christ's sheep are marked.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Is.lxvii-p19" shownumber="no">2. That those who are themselves
distinguished thus by the grace of God shall be commissioned to
invite others to come and take the benefit of that grace. Those
that escape the power of those prejudices by which the generality
of that nation is kept in unbelief shall be <i>sent to the
nations</i> to carry the gospel among them, and preach it to every
creature. Note, Those who themselves have escaped the wrath to come
should do all they can to snatch others also as brands out of the
burning. God chooses to send those on his errands that can deliver
their message feelingly and experimentally, and warn people of
their danger by sin as those who have themselves narrowly escaped
the danger. (1.) They shall be sent <i>to the nations,</i> several
of which are here named, Tarshish, and Pul, and Lud, &amp;c. It is
uncertain, nor are interpreters agreed, what countries are here
intended. <i>Tarshish</i> signifies in general <i>the sea,</i> yet
some take it for Tarsus in Cilicia. <i>Pul</i> is mentioned
sometimes as the name of one of the kings of Assyria; perhaps some
part of that country might likewise bear that name. <i>Lud</i> is
supposed to be Lydia, a warlike nation, famed for archers: the
Lydians are said to <i>handle</i> and <i>bend the bow,</i>
<scripRef id="Is.lxvii-p19.1" osisRef="Bible:Jer.46.9" parsed="|Jer|46|9|0|0" passage="Jer 46:9">Jer. xlvi. 9</scripRef>. <i>Tubal,</i>
some think, is Italy or Spain; and <i>Javan</i> most agree to be
Greece, the Iones; and the <i>isles of the Gentiles,</i> that were
peopled by the posterity of Japhet (<scripRef id="Is.lxvii-p19.2" osisRef="Bible:Gen.10.5" parsed="|Gen|10|5|0|0" passage="Ge 10:5">Gen. x. 5</scripRef>), probably are here meant by the
<i>isles afar off, that have not heard my name, neither have seen
my glory.</i> In Judah only was God known, and there only his name
was great for many ages. Other countries sat in darkness, heard no
the joyful sound, saw not the joyful light. This deplorable state
of theirs seems to be spoken of here with compassion; for it is a
pity that any of the children of men should be at such a distance
from their Maker as not to hear his name and see his glory. In
consideration of this, (2.) Those that are sent to the nations
shall go upon God's errand, to <i>declare his glory among the
Gentiles.</i> The Jews that shall be dispersed among the nations
shall declare the glory of God's providence concerning their nation
all along, by which many shall be invited to join with them, as
also by the appearances of God's glory among them in his
ordinances. Some out of all languages of the nations shall <i>take
hold of the skirt of him that is a Jew,</i> entreating him to take
notice of them, to admit them into his company, and to stay a
little while for them, till they are ready, "for <i>we will go with
you, having heard that God is with you,</i>" <scripRef id="Is.lxvii-p19.3" osisRef="Bible:Zech.8.23" parsed="|Zech|8|23|0|0" passage="Zec 8:23">Zech. viii. 23</scripRef>. Thus the glory of God was in
part declared among the Gentiles; but more clearly and fully by the
apostles and early preachers of the gospel, who were sent into all
the world, even to the isles afar off, to publish the glorious
gospel of the blessed God. They <i>went forth and preached every
where, the Lord working with them,</i> <scripRef id="Is.lxvii-p19.4" osisRef="Bible:Mark.16.20" parsed="|Mark|16|20|0|0" passage="Mk 16:20">Mark xvi. 20</scripRef>.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Is.lxvii-p20" shownumber="no">3. That many converts shall hereby be made,
<scripRef id="Is.lxvii-p20.1" osisRef="Bible:Isa.66.20" parsed="|Isa|66|20|0|0" passage="Isa 66:20"><i>v.</i> 20</scripRef>.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Is.lxvii-p21" shownumber="no">(1.) <i>They shall bring all your
brethren</i> (for proselytes ought to be owned and embraced as
brethren) <i>for an offering unto the Lord.</i> God's glory shall
not be in vain declared to them, but they shall be both invited and
directed to join themselves to the Lord. Those that are sent to
them shall succeed so well in their negotiation that thereupon
there shall be as great flocking to Jerusalem as used to be at the
time of a solemn feast, when all the males from all parts of the
country were to attend there, and not to appear empty. Observe,
[1.] The conveniences that they shall be furnished with for their
coming. Some shall come <i>upon horses,</i> because they came from
far and the journey was too long to travel on foot, as the Jews
usually did to their feasts. Persons of quality shall come <i>in
chariots,</i> and the aged, and sickly, and little children, shall
be brought <i>in litters</i> or covered wagons, and the young men
<i>on mules and swift beasts.</i> This intimates their zeal and
forwardness to come. They shall spare no trouble nor charge to get
to Jerusalem. Those that cannot ride on horseback shall come in
litters; and in such haste shall they be, and so impatient of
delay, that those that can shall ride upon mules and swift beasts.
These expressions are figurative, and these various means of
conveyance are heaped up to intimate (says the learned Mr. Gataker)
the abundant provision of all those gracious helps requisite for
the bringing of God's elect home to Christ. All shall be welcome,
and nothing shall be wanting for their assistance and
encouragement. [2.] The character under which they shall be
brought. They shall come, not as formerly they used to come to
Jerusalem, to be offerers, but to be themselves <i>an offering unto
the Lord,</i> which must be understood spiritually, of their being
presented to God as <i>living sacrifices,</i> <scripRef id="Is.lxvii-p21.1" osisRef="Bible:Rom.12.1" parsed="|Rom|12|1|0|0" passage="Ro 12:1">Rom. xii. 1</scripRef>. The apostle explains this, and
perhaps refers to it, <scripRef id="Is.lxvii-p21.2" osisRef="Bible:Rom.15.16" parsed="|Rom|15|16|0|0" passage="Ro 15:16">Rom. xv.
16</scripRef>, where he speaks of his <i>ministering the gospel to
the Gentiles,</i> that the <i>offering up,</i> or <i>sacrificing,
of the Gentiles might be acceptable.</i> They shall offer
themselves, and those who are the instruments of their conversion
shall offer them, as the spoils which they have taken for Christ
and which are devoted to his service and honour. They shall be
brought <i>as the children of Israel bring an offering in a clean
vessel,</i> with great care that they be holy, purified from sin,
and sanctified to God. It is said of the converted Gentiles
(<scripRef id="Is.lxvii-p21.3" osisRef="Bible:Acts.15.9" parsed="|Acts|15|9|0|0" passage="Ac 15:9">Acts xv. 9</scripRef>) that <i>their
hearts were purified by faith.</i> Whatever was brought to God was
brought in a clean vessel, a vessel appropriated to religious uses.
God will be served and honoured in the way that he has appointed,
in the ordinances of his own institution, which are the proper
vehicles for these spiritual offerings. When the soul is offered up
to God the body must be a clean vessel for it, possessed <i>in
sanctification and honour, and not in the lusts of uncleanness</i>
(<scripRef id="Is.lxvii-p21.4" osisRef="Bible:1Thess.4.4-1Thess.4.5" parsed="|1Thess|4|4|4|5" passage="1Th 4:4,5">1 Thess. iv. 4, 5</scripRef>); and
converts to Christ are not only <i>purged from an evil
conscience,</i> but have their <i>bodies also washed with pure
water,</i> <scripRef id="Is.lxvii-p21.5" osisRef="Bible:Heb.10.22" parsed="|Heb|10|22|0|0" passage="Heb 10:22">Heb. x. 22</scripRef>.
Now,</p>
<p class="indent" id="Is.lxvii-p22" shownumber="no">(2.) This may refer, [1.] To the Jews,
devout men, and proselytes out of every nation under heaven, that
flocked together to Jerusalem, expecting the kingdom of the Messiah
to appear, <scripRef id="Is.lxvii-p22.1" osisRef="Bible:Acts.2.5-Acts.2.6 Bible:Acts.2.10" parsed="|Acts|2|5|2|6;|Acts|2|10|0|0" passage="Ac 2:5,6,10">Acts ii. 5, 6,
10</scripRef>. They came from all parts to the holy <i>mountain of
Jerusalem,</i> as an <i>offering to the Lord,</i> and there many of
them were brought to the faith of Christ by the gift of tongues
poured out on the apostles. Methinks there is some correspondence
between that history and this prophecy. The eunuch some time after
came to worship at Jerusalem in his chariot and took home with him
the knowledge of Christ and his holy religion. [2.] To the
Gentiles, some of all nations, that should be converted to Christ,
and so added to his church, which, though a spiritual accession, is
often in prophecy represented by a local motion. The apostle says
of all true Christians that they <i>have come to Mount Zion, and
the heavenly Jerusalem</i> (<scripRef id="Is.lxvii-p22.2" osisRef="Bible:Heb.12.22" parsed="|Heb|12|22|0|0" passage="Heb 12:22">Heb. xii.
22</scripRef>), which explains this passage, and shows that the
meaning of all this parade is only that they shall be brought into
the church by the grace of God, and in the use of the means of that
grace, as carefully, safely, and comfortably, as if they were
carried in chariots and litters. Thus God shall <i>persuade
Japhet</i> and he shall <i>dwell in the tents of Shem,</i>
<scripRef id="Is.lxvii-p22.3" osisRef="Bible:Gen.9.27" parsed="|Gen|9|27|0|0" passage="Ge 9:27">Gen. ix. 27</scripRef>.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Is.lxvii-p23" shownumber="no">4. That a gospel ministry shall be set up
in the church, it being thus enlarged by the addition of such a
multitude of members to it (<scripRef id="Is.lxvii-p23.1" osisRef="Bible:Isa.66.21" parsed="|Isa|66|21|0|0" passage="Isa 66:21"><i>v.</i>
21</scripRef>): <i>I will take of them</i> (of the proselytes, of
the Gentile converts) <i>for priests and for Levites,</i> to
minister in holy things and to preside in their religious
assemblies, which is very necessary for doctrine, worship, and
discipline. Hitherto the priests and Levites were all taken from
among the Jews and were all of one tribe; but in gospel times God
will take of the converted Gentiles to minister to him in holy
things, to teach the people, to bless them in the name of the Lord,
to be the stewards of the mysteries of God as the priests and
Levites were under the law, to be pastors and teachers (or
bishops), to <i>give themselves to the word and prayer,</i> and
deacons to <i>serve tables,</i> and, as the Levites, to take care
of the <i>outward business of the house of God,</i> <scripRef id="Is.lxvii-p23.2" osisRef="Bible:Phil.1.1 Bible:Acts.6.2-Acts.6.4" parsed="|Phil|1|1|0|0;|Acts|6|2|6|4" passage="Php 1:1,Ac 6:2-4">Phil. i. 1; Acts vi. 2-4</scripRef>. The
apostles were all Jews, and so were the seventy disciples; the
great apostle of the Gentiles was himself <i>a Hebrew of the
Hebrews;</i> but, when churches were planted among the Gentiles,
they had ministers settled who were <i>of themselves, elders in
every church</i> (<scripRef id="Is.lxvii-p23.3" osisRef="Bible:Acts.14.23 Bible:Titus.1.5" parsed="|Acts|14|23|0|0;|Titus|1|5|0|0" passage="Ac 14:23,Tit 1:5">Acts xiv.
23, Tit. i. 5</scripRef>), which made the ministry to spread the
more easily, and to be the more familiar, and, if not the more
venerable, yet the more acceptable; gospel grace, it might be
hoped, would cure people of those corruptions which kept a prophet
from having <i>honour in his own country.</i> God says, <i>I will
take,</i> not <i>all of them,</i> though they are all in a
spiritual sense made to our God kings and priests, but <i>of
them,</i> some of them. It is God's work originally to choose
ministers by qualifying them for and inclining them to the service,
as well as to make ministers by giving them their commission. <i>I
will take them,</i> that is, I will admit them, though Gentiles,
and will accept of them and their ministrations. This is a great
honour and advantage to the Gentile church, as it was to the Jewish
church that God <i>raised up of their sons for prophets</i> and
<i>their young men for Nazarites,</i> <scripRef id="Is.lxvii-p23.4" osisRef="Bible:Amos.2.11" parsed="|Amos|2|11|0|0" passage="Am 2:11">Amos ii. 11</scripRef>.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Is.lxvii-p24" shownumber="no">5. That the church and ministry, being thus
settled, shall continue and be kept up in a succession from one
generation to another, <scripRef id="Is.lxvii-p24.1" osisRef="Bible:Isa.66.22" parsed="|Isa|66|22|0|0" passage="Isa 66:22"><i>v.</i>
22</scripRef>. The change that will be made by the setting up of
the kingdom of the Messiah is here described to be, (1.) A very
great and universal change; it shall be a new world, <i>the new
heavens and the new earth</i> promised before, <scripRef id="Is.lxvii-p24.2" osisRef="Bible:Isa.65.17" parsed="|Isa|65|17|0|0" passage="Isa 65:17"><i>ch.</i> lxv. 17</scripRef>. <i>Old things have
passed away,</i> behold <i>all things have become new</i>
(<scripRef id="Is.lxvii-p24.3" osisRef="Bible:2Cor.5.17" parsed="|2Cor|5|17|0|0" passage="2Co 5:17">2 Cor. v. 17</scripRef>), the old
covenant of peculiarity is set aside, and a new covenant, a
covenant of grace, established, <scripRef id="Is.lxvii-p24.4" osisRef="Bible:Heb.8.13" parsed="|Heb|8|13|0|0" passage="Heb 8:13">Heb.
viii. 13</scripRef>. We are now to serve <i>in newness of the
spirit,</i> and <i>not in the oldness of the letter,</i> <scripRef id="Is.lxvii-p24.5" osisRef="Bible:Rom.7.6" parsed="|Rom|7|6|0|0" passage="Ro 7:6">Rom. vii. 6</scripRef>. New commandments are given
relating both to heaven and earth, and new promises relating to
both, and both together make a New Testament; so that they are new
heavens and a new earth that God will create, and these a
preparative for the new heavens and new earth designed at the end
of time, <scripRef id="Is.lxvii-p24.6" osisRef="Bible:2Pet.3.13" parsed="|2Pet|3|13|0|0" passage="2Pe 3:13">2 Pet. iii. 13</scripRef>.
(2.) A change of God's own making; he will create the new heavens
and the new earth. The change was made by him that had authority to
make new ordinances, as well as power to make new worlds. (3.) It
will be an abiding lasting change, a change never to be changed, a
new world that will be always new, and never wax old, as that does
which is ready to vanish away: <i>It shall remain before me</i>
unalterable; for the gospel dispensation is to continue to the end
of time and not to be succeeded by any other. The kingdom of Christ
is a <i>kingdom that cannot be moved;</i> the laws and privileges
of it <i>are things that cannot be shaken,</i> but shall <i>for
ever remain,</i> <scripRef id="Is.lxvii-p24.7" osisRef="Bible:Heb.12.27-Heb.12.28" parsed="|Heb|12|27|12|28" passage="Heb 12:27,28">Heb. xii. 27,
28</scripRef>. It shall <i>therefore</i> remain, because it is
before God; it is under his eye, and care, and special protection.
(4.) It will be maintained in a seed that shall serve Christ:
<i>Your seed,</i> and in them <i>your name, shall remain</i>—a
seed of ministers, a seed of Christians; as one generation of both
passes away, another generation shall come; and thus the name of
Christ, with that of Christians, shall continue on earth while the
earth remains, and his throne as the days of heaven. The gates of
hell, though they fight against the church, shall not
<i>prevail,</i> nor <i>wear out the saints of the Most
High.</i></p>
<p class="indent" id="Is.lxvii-p25" shownumber="no">6. That the public worship of God in
religious assemblies shall be carefully and constantly attended
upon by all that are thus brought <i>as an offering to the
Lord,</i> <scripRef id="Is.lxvii-p25.1" osisRef="Bible:Isa.66.23" parsed="|Isa|66|23|0|0" passage="Isa 66:23"><i>v.</i> 23</scripRef>.
This is described in expressions suited to the Old-Testament
dispensation, to show that though the ceremonial law should be
abolished, and the temple service should come to an end, yet God
should be still as regularly, constantly, and acceptably worshipped
as ever. Heretofore only Jews went up to appear before God, and
they were bound to attend only three times a year, and the males
only; but now all flesh, Gentiles as well as Jews, women as well as
men, shall <i>come and worship before God,</i> in his presence,
though not in his temple at Jerusalem, but in religious assemblies
dispersed all the world over, which shall be to them as the
tabernacle of meeting was to the Jews. God will in them record his
name, and, though but two or three come together, he will be among
them, will meet them, and bless them. And they shall have the
benefit of these holy convocations frequently, every new moon and
every sabbath, not, as formerly, at the three annual feasts only.
There is no necessity of one certain place, as the temple was of
old. Christ is our temple, in whom by faith all believers meet, and
now that the church is so far extended it is impossible that all
should meet at one place; but it is fit that there should be a
certain time appointed, that the service may be done certainly and
frequently, and a token thereby given of the spiritual communion
which all Christian assemblies have with each other by faith, hope,
and holy love. The <i>new moons</i> and the <i>sabbaths</i> are
mentioned because, under the law, though the yearly feasts were to
be celebrated at Jerusalem, yet the new moons and the sabbaths were
religiously observed all the country over, in the <i>schools of the
prophets</i> first and afterwards <i>in the synagogues</i>
(<scripRef id="Is.lxvii-p25.2" osisRef="Bible:2Kgs.4.23 Bible:Amos.8.5 Bible:Acts.15.21" parsed="|2Kgs|4|23|0|0;|Amos|8|5|0|0;|Acts|15|21|0|0" passage="2Ki 4:23,Am 8:5,Ac 15:21">2 Kings iv. 23, Amos
viii. 5, Acts xv. 21</scripRef>), according to the model of which
Christian assemblies seem to be formed. Where the Lord's day is
weekly sanctified, and the Lord's supper monthly celebrated, and
both are duly attended on, there this promise is fulfilled, there
the Christian new moons and sabbaths are observed. See, here, (1.)
That God is to be worshipped in solemn assemblies, and that it is
the duty of all, as they have opportunity, to wait upon God in
those assemblies: <i>All flesh must come;</i> though flesh, weak,
corrupt, and sinful, let them come that the flesh may be mortified.
(2.) In worshipping God we present ourselves before him, and are in
a special manner in his presence. (3.) For doing this there ought
to be stated times, and are so; and we must see that it is our
interest as well as our duty constantly and conscientiously to
observe these times.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Is.lxvii-p26" shownumber="no">7. That their thankful sense of God's
distinguishing favour to them should be very much increased by the
consideration of the fearful doom and destruction of those that
persist and perish in their infidelity and impiety, <scripRef id="Is.lxvii-p26.1" osisRef="Bible:Isa.66.24" parsed="|Isa|66|24|0|0" passage="Isa 66:24"><i>v.</i> 24</scripRef>. Those that have been
worshipping the Lord of hosts, and rejoicing before him in the
goodness of his house, shall, in order to affect themselves the
more with their own happiness, take a view of the misery of the
wicked. Observe, (1.) Who they are whose misery is here described.
They are men that have <i>transgressed against God,</i> not only
broken his laws, but broken covenant with him, and thought
themselves able to contend with him. It may be meant especially of
the unbelieving Jews that rejected the gospel of Christ. (2.) What
their misery is. It is here represented by the frightful spectacle
of a field of battle, covered with the <i>carcases</i> of the
slain, that lie rotting above ground, full of <i>worms</i> crawling
about them and feeding on them; and, if you go to burn them, they
are so scattered, and it is such a noisome piece of work to get
them together, that it would be endless, and the <i>fire would
never be quenched;</i> so that they are an <i>abhorring to all
flesh,</i> nobody cares to come near them. Now this is sometimes
accomplished in temporal judgments, and perhaps never nearer the
letter than in the destruction of Jerusalem and the Jewish nation
by the Romans, in which destruction it is computed that above two
millions, first and last, were cut off by the sword, besides what
perished by famine and pestilence. It may refer likewise to the
spiritual judgments that came upon the unbelieving Jews, which St.
Paul looks upon, and shows us, <scripRef id="Is.lxvii-p26.2" osisRef="Bible:Rom.11.8" parsed="|Rom|11|8|0|0" passage="Ro 11:8">Rom. xi.
8</scripRef>, &amp;c. They became dead in sins, twice dead. The
church of the Jews was a <i>carcase</i> of a church; all its
members were putrid carcases; <i>their worm died not,</i> their own
consciences made them continually uneasy, and the fire of their
rage against the gospel was not quenched, which was their
punishment as well as their sin; and they became, more than ever
any nation under the sun, <i>an abhorring to all flesh.</i> But our
Saviour applies it to the everlasting misery and torment of
impenitent sinners in the future state, where their <i>worm dies
not, and their fire is not quenched</i> (<scripRef id="Is.lxvii-p26.3" osisRef="Bible:Mark.9.44" parsed="|Mark|9|44|0|0" passage="Mk 9:44">Mark ix. 44</scripRef>); for the soul, whose conscience
is its constant tormentor, is immortal, and God, whose wrath is its
constant terror, is eternal. (3.) What notice shall be taken of it.
Those that worship God shall <i>go forth and look upon them,</i> to
affect their own hearts with the love of their Redeemer, when they
see what misery they are redeemed from. As it will aggravate the
miseries of the damned to see others in the kingdom of heaven and
<i>themselves thrust out</i> (<scripRef id="Is.lxvii-p26.4" osisRef="Bible:Luke.13.28" parsed="|Luke|13|28|0|0" passage="Lu 13:28">Luke
xiii. 28</scripRef>), so it will illustrate the joys and glories of
the blessed to see what becomes of those that died in their
transgression, and it will elevate their praises to think that they
were themselves as brands plucked out of that burning. To the
honour of that free grace which thus distinguished them let the
redeemed of the Lord with all humility, and not without a holy
trembling, sing their triumphant songs.</p>
</div></div2>