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<center><h1>Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary
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[<A HREF="MHC00000.HTM">Table of Contents</A>]<BR>
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Matthew Henry<BR><I>Commentary on the Whole Bible</I> (1712)
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<!-- (Begin Body) -->
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<CENTER>
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<BR><FONT SIZE=+3><B>I S A I A H.</B></FONT>
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<BR>
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<BR><FONT SIZE=+2>CHAP. XLV.</FONT>
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<HR SIZE=1 WIDTH=50>
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</CENTER>
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<FONT SIZE=-1>
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<P>
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Cyrus was nominated, in the foregoing chapter, to be God's shepherd;
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more is said to him and more of him in this chapter, not only because
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he was to be instrumental in the release of the Jews out of their
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captivity, but because he was to be therein a type of the great
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Redeemer, and that release was to be typical of the great redemption
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from sin and death; for that was the salvation of which all the
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prophets witnessed. We have here,
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I. The great things which God would do for Cyrus, that he might be put
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into a capacity to release God's people,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+45:1-4">ver. 1-4</A>.
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II. The proof God would hereby give of his eternal power and godhead,
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and his universal, incontestable, sovereignty,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+45:5-7">ver. 5-7</A>.
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III. A prayer for the hastening of this deliverance,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+45:8">ver. 8</A>.
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IV. A check to the unbelieving Jews, who quarrelled with God for the
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lengthening out of their captivity,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+45:9,10">ver. 9, 10</A>.
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V. Encouragement given to the believing Jews, who trusted in God and
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continued instant in prayer, assuring them that God would in due time
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accomplish this work by the hand of Cyrus,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+45:11-15">ver. 11-15</A>.
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VI. A challenge given to the worshippers of idols and their doom read,
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and satisfaction given to the worshippers of the true God and their
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comfort secured, with an eye to the Mediator, who is made of God to us
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both righteousness and sanctification,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+45:16-25">ver. 16-25</A>.
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And here, as in many other parts of this prophecy, there is much of
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Christ and of gospel grace.</P>
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</FONT>
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<A NAME="Isa45_1"> </A>
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<A NAME="Isa45_2"> </A>
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<A NAME="Isa45_3"> </A>
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<A NAME="Isa45_4"> </A>
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<A NAME="Sec1"> </A>
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<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
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<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>Prophecies Concerning Cyrus.</I></FONT></TD>
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<TD ALIGN=RIGHT><FONT SIZE=-1>B. C.</FONT> 708.</TD></TR>
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<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
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</TABLE>
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<P>
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<FONT SIZE=+1>1 Thus saith the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose right
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hand I have holden, to subdue nations before him; and I will
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loose the loins of kings, to open before him the two leaved
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gates; and the gates shall not be shut;
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2 I will go before thee, and make the crooked places straight:
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I will break in pieces the gates of brass, and cut in sunder the
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bars of iron:
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3 And I will give thee the treasures of darkness, and hidden
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riches of secret places, that thou mayest know that I, the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>,
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which call <I>thee</I> by thy name, <I>am</I> the God of Israel.
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4 For Jacob my servant's sake, and Israel mine elect, I have
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even called thee by thy name: I have surnamed thee, though thou
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hast not known me.
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</FONT></P>
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<P>
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Cyrus was a Mede, descended (as some say) from Astyages king of Media.
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The pagan writers are not agreed in their accounts of his origin. Some
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tell us that in his infancy he was an outcast, left exposed, and was
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saved from perishing by a herdsman's wife. However, it is agreed that,
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being a man of an active genius, he soon made himself very
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considerable, especially when Crœsus king of Lydia made a descent upon
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his country, which he not only repulsed, but revenged, prosecuting the
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advantages he had gained against Crœsus with such vigour that in a
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little time he took Sardis and made himself master of the rich kingdom
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of Lydia and the many provinces that then belonged to it. This made him
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very great (for Crœsus was rich to a proverb) and enabled him to
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pursue his victories in many countries; but it was nearly ten years
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afterwards that, in conjunction with his uncle Darius and with the
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forces of Persia, he made this famous attack upon Babylon, which is
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here foretold, and which we have the history of Dan.
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5. Babylon had now grown exorbitantly rich and strong. It was
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forty-five miles in compass (some say more): the walls were thirty-two
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feet thick and 100 cubits high. Some say, They were so thick that six
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chariots might drive abreast upon them; others say, They were fifty
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cubits thick and 200 high. Cyrus seems to have had a great ambition to
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make himself master of this place, and to have projected it long; and
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at last he performed it. Now here, 210 years before it came to pass, we
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are told,</P>
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<P>
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I. What great things God would do for him, that he might put it into
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his power to release his people. In order to this he shall be a mighty
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conqueror and a wealthy monarch and nations shall become tributaries to
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him and help him both with men and money. Now that which God here
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promised to do for Cyrus he could have done for Zerubbabel, or some of
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the Jews themselves; but the wealth and power of this world God has
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seldom seen fit to entrust his own people with much of, so many are the
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snares and temptations that attend them; but if here has been occasion,
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for the god of the church, to make use of them, God has been pleased
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rather to put them into the hands of others, to be employed for them,
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than to venture them in their own hands. Cyrus is here called God's
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<I>anointed,</I> because he was both designed and qualified for this
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great service by the counsel of God, and was to be herein a type of the
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Messiah. God engages to hold his right hand, not only to strengthen and
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sustain him, but to direct his motions and intentions, as Elisha put
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his hands upon the king's hands when he was to shoot his arrow against
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Syria,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ki+13:16">2 Kings xiii. 16</A>.
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Being under such direction,</P>
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<P>
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1. He shall extend his conquests very far and shall make nothing of the
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opposition that will be given him. Babylon is too strong a place for a
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young hero to begin with; and therefore, that he may be able to deal
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with that, great additions shall be made to his strength by other
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conquests.
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(1.) Populous kingdoms shall yield to him. God will <I>subdue nations
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before him;</I> when he is in the full career of his successes he shall
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make nothing of a nation's being born to him at once: yet it is not he
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that subdues them; it is God that subdues them for him; the battle is
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his, and therefore his is the victory.
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(2.) Potent kings shall fall before him: <I>I will loose the loins of
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kings,</I> either the girdle of their loins (divesting them of their
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power and dignity) or the strength of their loins, and then it was
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literally fulfilled in Belshazzar, for, when he was terrified by the
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handwriting on the wall, <I>the joints of his loins were loosed,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Da+5:6">Dan. v. 6</A>.
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(3.) Great cities shall surrender themselves into his hands, without
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giving him or themselves any trouble. God will incline the keepers of
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the city to <I>open before him the two-leaved gates,</I> not
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treacherously nor timorously, but from a full conviction that it is to
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no purpose to contend with him; and therefore the gates shall not be
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shut to keep him out as an enemy, but thrown open to admit him as a
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friend.
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(4.) The longest and most dangerous marches shall be made easy and
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ready to him: <I>I will go before thee,</I> to clear the way, and to
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conduct thee in it, and then the <I>crooked places,</I> shall be made
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<I>straight;</I> or, as some read it, the hilly places shall be
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levelled and made even. Those will find a ready road that have God
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going before them.
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(5.) No opposition shall stand before him. He that gives him his
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commission <I>will break in pieces the gates of brass</I> that are shut
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against him, <I>and cut asunder the bars of iron</I> wherewith they are
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fastened. This was fulfilled in the letter, if that be true which
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Herodotus reports, that the city of Babylon had 100 gates all of brass,
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with posts and hooks of the same metal.</P>
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<P>
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2. He shall replenish his coffers very much
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+45:3"><I>v.</I> 3</A>):
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<I>I will give thee the treasures of darkness,</I> treasures of gold
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and silver, that have been long kept close under lock and key and had
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not seen the light of many years, or had been buried under ground by
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the inhabitants, in their fright, upon the taking of the city. The
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riches of many nations had been brought to Babylon, and Cyrus seized
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all together. <I>The hidden riches of secret places,</I> which belonged
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either to the crown or to private persons, shall all be a prey to
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Cyrus. Thus God, designing him to do a piece of service to his church,
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paid him richly for it beforehand; and Cyrus very honestly owned God's
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goodness to him, and, in consideration of that, released the captives.
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ezr+1:2">Ezra i. 2</A>,
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<I>God has given me all the kingdoms of the earth</I> and thereby has
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obliged <I>me to build him a house at Jerusalem.</I></P>
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<P>
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II. We are here told what God designed in doing all this for Cyrus.
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What Cyrus aimed at in undertaking his wars we may easily guess; but
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what God aimed at in giving him such wonderful success in his wars we
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are here told.</P>
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<P>
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1. It was that the God of Israel might be glorified: "<I>That thou
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mayest know</I> by all this <I>that I the Lord am the God of
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Israel;</I> for I have <I>called thee by thy name</I> long before thou
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wast born." When Cyrus should have this prophecy of Isaiah shown to
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him, and should there find his own name and his own achievements
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particularly described so long before, he should thereby be brought to
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acknowledge that the God of Israel was the Lord, Jehovah, the only
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living and true God, and that he continued to own his Israel though now
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in captivity. It is well when thus men's prosperity brings them to the
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knowledge of God, for too often it makes them forget him.</P>
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<P>
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2. It was that the Israel of God might be released,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+45:4"><I>v.</I> 4</A>.
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Cyrus knew not God as the God of Israel. Having been trained up in the
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worship of idols, the true God was to him an unknown God. But, though
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he knew not God, God not only knew him when he came into being, but
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foreknew him, and bespoke him for his shepherd. He called him by his
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name, <I>Cyrus,</I> nay, which was yet great honour, he surnamed him
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and called him his <I>anointed.</I> And why did God do all this for
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Cyrus? Not for his own sake, be it known to him; whether he was a man
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of virtue or no is questioned. Xenophon indeed, when he would describe
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the heroic virtues of an excellent prince, made use of Cyrus's name,
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and many of the particulars of his story, in his Cyropædia; but
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other historians represent him as haughty, cruel, and bloodthirsty. The
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reason why God preferred him was <I>for Jacob his servant's sake.</I>
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Note,
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(1.) In all the revolutions of states and kingdoms, the sudden falls of
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the great and strong, and the surprising advancements of the weak and
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obscure, God is designing the good of his church.
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(2.) It is therefore the wisdom of those to whom God has given wealth
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and power to use them for his glory, by showing kindness to his people.
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Cyrus is preferred that Israel may be released. He shall have a
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kingdom, only that God's people may have their liberty; for their
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kingdom is not of this world, it is yet to come. In all this Cyrus was
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a type of Christ, who was made victorious over principalities and
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powers, and entrusted with unsearchable riches, for the use and benefit
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of God's servants, his elect. <I>When he ascended on high he led
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captivity captive,</I> took those captives that had taken others
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captives, and <I>opened the prison to those that were bound.</I></P>
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<A NAME="Isa45_5"> </A>
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<A NAME="Isa45_6"> </A>
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<A NAME="Isa45_7"> </A>
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<A NAME="Isa45_8"> </A>
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<A NAME="Isa45_9"> </A>
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<A NAME="Isa45_10"> </A>
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<A NAME="Sec2"> </A>
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<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
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<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>The Divine Dominion.</I></FONT></TD>
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<TD ALIGN=RIGHT><FONT SIZE=-1>B. C.</FONT> 708.</TD></TR>
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<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
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</TABLE>
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<P>
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<FONT SIZE=+1>5 I <I>am</I> the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>, and <I>there is</I> none else, <I>there is</I> no God
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beside me: I girded thee, though thou hast not known me:
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6 That they may know from the rising of the sun, and from the
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west, that <I>there is</I> none beside me. I <I>am</I> the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>, and <I>there
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is</I> none else.
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7 I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and
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create evil: I the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> do all these <I>things.</I>
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8 Drop down, ye heavens, from above, and let the skies pour
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down righteousness: let the earth open, and let them bring forth
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salvation, and let righteousness spring up together; I the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>
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have created it.
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9 Woe unto him that striveth with his Maker! <I>Let</I> the potsherd
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<I>strive</I> with the potsherds of the earth. Shall the clay say to
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him that fashioneth it, What makest thou? or thy work, He hath no
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hands?
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10 Woe unto him that saith unto <I>his</I> father, What begettest
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thou? or to the woman, What hast thou brought forth?
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</FONT></P>
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<P>
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God here asserts his sole and sovereign dominion, as that which he
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designed to prove and manifest to the world in all the great things he
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did for Cyrus and by him. Observe,</P>
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<P>
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I. How this doctrine is here laid down concerning the sovereignty of
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the great Jehovah, in two things:--
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1. That he is God alone, and there is no God besides him. This is here
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inculcated as a fundamental truth, which, if it were firmly believed,
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would abolish idolatry out of the world. With what an awful,
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commanding, air of majesty and authority, bidding defiance, as it were,
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to all pretenders, does the great God here proclaim it to the world:
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<I>I am the Lord, I the Lord, Jehovah,</I> and <I>there is none else,
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there is no God besides me,</I> no other self-existent,
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self-sufficient, being, none infinite and eternal. And again
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+45:6"><I>v.</I> 6</A>),
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<I>There is none besides me;</I> all that are set up in competition
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with me are counterfeits; they are all vanity and a lie, for <I>I am
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the Lord, and there is none else.</I> This is here said to Cyrus, not
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only to cure him of the sin of his ancestors, which was the worshipping
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of idols, but to prevent his falling into the sin of some of his
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predecessors in victory and universal monarchy, which was the setting
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up of themselves for gods and being idolized, to which some attribute
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much of the origin of idolatry. Let Cyrus, when he becomes thus rich
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and great, remember that still he is but a man, and there is no God but
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one.
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2. That he is Lord of all, and there is nothing done without him
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+45:7"><I>v.</I> 7</A>):
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<I>I form the light,</I> which is grateful and pleasing, and
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<I>I create darkness,</I> which is grievous and unpleasing. <I>I make
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peace</I> (put here for all good) and <I>I create evil,</I> not the
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evil of sin (God is not the author of that), but the evil of
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punishment. <I>I the Lord</I> order, and direct, and <I>do all these
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things.</I> Observe,
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(1.) The very different events that befal the children of men. Light
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and darkness are opposite to each other, and yet, in the course of
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providence, they are sometimes intermixed, like the morning and evening
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twilights, <I>neither day nor night,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Zec+14:6">Zech. xiv. 6</A>.
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There is a mixture of joys and sorrows in the same cup, allays to each
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other. Sometimes they are counterchanged, as noonday light and
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midnight darkness. In the revolution of every day each takes its turn,
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and there are short transitions from the one to the other, witness
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Job's case.
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(2.) The self-same cause of both, and that is he that is the first
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Cause of all: <I>I the Lord,</I> the fountain of all being, am the
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fountain of all power. He who formed the natural light
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ge+1:3">Gen. i. 3</A>)
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still forms the providential light. He who at first made peace among
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the jarring seeds and principles of nature makes peace in the affairs
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of men. He who allowed the natural darkness, which was a mere
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|
privation, creates the providential darkness; for concerning troubles
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|
and afflictions he gives positive orders. Note, The wise God has the
|
|
ordering and disposing of all our comforts, and all our crosses, in
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|
this world.</P>
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<P>
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II. How this doctrine is here proved and published.
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1. It is proved by that which God did for Cyrus: "<I>There is no God
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besides me,</I> for
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+45:5"><I>v.</I> 5</A>)
|
|
|
|
<I>I girded thee, though thou hast not known me.</I> It was not thy own
|
|
idol, which thou didst know and worship, that girded thee for this
|
|
expedition, that gave thee authority and ability for it. No, it was I
|
|
that girded thee, I whom thou didst not know, nor seek to." By
|
|
<I>this</I> it appears that the God of Israel is the only true God,
|
|
that he manages and makes what use he pleases even of those that are
|
|
strangers to him and pay their homage to other gods.
|
|
|
|
2. It is published to all the world by the word of God, by his
|
|
providence, and by the testimony of the suffering Jews in Babylon, that
|
|
all may know from the east and from the west, sunrise and sun-set, that
|
|
the Lord is God and there is none else. The wonderful deliverance of
|
|
the Israel of God proclaimed to all the world that <I>there is none
|
|
like unto the God of Jeshurun, that rides on the heavens for their
|
|
help.</I></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
III. How this doctrine is here improved and applied.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
1. For the comfort of those that earnestly longed, and yet quietly
|
|
waited, for the redemption of Israel
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+45:8"><I>v.</I> 8</A>):
|
|
|
|
<I>Drop down, you heavens, from above.</I> Some take this as the
|
|
saints' prayer for the deliverance. I rather take it as God's precept
|
|
concerning it; for he is said to <I>command deliverances,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+44:4">Ps. xliv. 4</A>.
|
|
|
|
Now the precept is directed to heaven and earth, and all the hosts of
|
|
both, as royal precepts commonly run--<I>To all officers, civil and
|
|
military.</I> All the creatures shall be made in their places to
|
|
contribute to the carrying on of this great work, when God will have it
|
|
done. If men will not be aiding and assisting, God will produce it
|
|
without them, as he does the dews of heaven and the grass of the earth,
|
|
which <I>tarry not for man, nor wait for the sons of men,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mic+5:7">Mic. v. 7</A>.
|
|
|
|
Observe,
|
|
|
|
(1.) The method of this great deliverance that is to be wrought for
|
|
Israel. <I>Righteousness</I> must first be wrought in them; they must
|
|
be brought to repent of their sins, to renounce their idolatries, to
|
|
return to God, and reform their lives, and then the salvation shall be
|
|
wrought for them, and not till then. We must not expect salvation
|
|
without righteousness, for they spring up together and together the
|
|
Lord hath created them; what he has joined together, let not us
|
|
therefore put asunder. See
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+85:9-11">Ps. lxxxv. 9-11</A>.
|
|
|
|
Christ died to save us from our sins, not in our sins, and is made
|
|
redemption to us by being made to us righteousness and sanctification.
|
|
|
|
(2.) The means of this great deliverance. Rather than it shall fail,
|
|
when the set time for it shall come, the <I>heavens shall drop down
|
|
righteousness, and the earth shall open to bring forth salvation,</I>
|
|
and both concur to the reformation, and so to the restoration, of God's
|
|
Israel. It is from heaven, from above the skies, that righteousness
|
|
drops down, for every grace and good gift is from above; nay, since the
|
|
more plentiful effusion of the Spirit it is now <I>poured</I> down,
|
|
and, if our hearts be open to receive it, the product will be the
|
|
fruits of righteousness and the great salvation.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
2. For reproof to those of the church's enemies that opposed this
|
|
salvation, or those of her friends that despaired of it
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+45:9"><I>v.</I> 9</A>):
|
|
|
|
<I>Woe unto him that strives with his Maker!</I> God is the Maker of
|
|
all things, and therefore our Maker, which is a reason why we should
|
|
always submit to him and never contend with him.
|
|
|
|
(1.) Let not the proud oppressors, in the elevation of their spirits,
|
|
oppose God's designs concerning the deliverance of his people, nor
|
|
think to detain them any longer when the time shall come for their
|
|
release. Woe to the insulting Babylonians that set God at defiance, as
|
|
Pharaoh did, and will not let his people go!
|
|
|
|
(2.) Let not the poor oppressed, in the dejection of their spirits,
|
|
murmur and quarrel with God for the prolonging of their captivity, as
|
|
if he dealt unjustly or unkindly with them, or think to force their way
|
|
out before God's time shall come. Note, Those will find themselves in a
|
|
woeful condition that strive with their Maker; for none ever hardened
|
|
his heart against God and prospered. Sinful man is indeed a quarrelsome
|
|
creature; but <I>let the potsherds strive with the potsherds of the
|
|
earth.</I> Men are but earthen pots, nay, they are broken potsherds,
|
|
and are made so very much by their mutual contentions. They are dashed
|
|
in pieces one against another; and, if they are disposed to strive, let
|
|
them strive with one another, let them meddle with their match; but let
|
|
them not dare to contend with him that is infinitely above them, which
|
|
is as senseless and absurd as,
|
|
|
|
[1.] For the clay to find fault with the potter: <I>Shall the clay say
|
|
to him that forms it, "What makest thou?</I> Why dost thou make me of
|
|
this shape and not that?" Nay, it is as if the clay should be in such a
|
|
heat and passion with the potter as to tell him that <I>he has no
|
|
hands,</I> or that he works as awkwardly as if he had none. "Shall the
|
|
clay pretend to be wiser than the potter and therefore to advise him,
|
|
or mightier than the potter and therefore to control him?" He that gave
|
|
us being, that gave us this being, may design concerning us, and
|
|
dispose of us, as he pleases; and it is impudent presumption for us to
|
|
prescribe to him. Shall we impeach God's wisdom, or question his power,
|
|
who are ourselves so curiously, so wonderfully, made? Shall we say,
|
|
<I>He has no hands,</I> whose hands made us and in whose hands we are?
|
|
The doctrine of God's sovereignty has enough in it to silence all our
|
|
discontents and objections against the methods of his providence and
|
|
grace,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ro+9:20,21">Rom. ix. 20, 21</A>.
|
|
|
|
[2.] It is as unnatural as for the child to find fault with the parents,
|
|
to say to the father, <I>What begettest thou?</I> or to the mother,
|
|
"<I>What hast thou brought forth?</I> Why was I not begotten and born
|
|
an angel, exempt from the infirmities of human nature and the
|
|
calamities of human life?" Must not those who are children of men
|
|
expect to share in the common lot and to fare as others fare? If God is
|
|
our Father, where is the honour we owe to him by submitting to his
|
|
will?</P>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Isa45_11"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Isa45_12"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Isa45_13"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Isa45_14"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Isa45_15"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Isa45_16"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Isa45_17"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Isa45_18"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Isa45_19"> </A>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Sec3"> </A>
|
|
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
|
|
<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>The Power of God; Encouragement to the People of God.</I></FONT></TD>
|
|
<TD ALIGN=RIGHT><FONT SIZE=-1>B. C.</FONT> 708.</TD></TR>
|
|
<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
|
|
</TABLE>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>11 Thus saith the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>, the Holy One of Israel, and his Maker,
|
|
Ask me of things to come concerning my sons, and concerning the
|
|
work of my hands command ye me.
|
|
12 I have made the earth, and created man upon it: I, <I>even</I> my
|
|
hands, have stretched out the heavens, and all their host have I
|
|
commanded.
|
|
13 I have raised him up in righteousness, and I will direct all
|
|
his ways: he shall build my city, and he shall let go my
|
|
captives, not for price nor reward, saith the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> of hosts.
|
|
14 Thus saith the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>, The labour of Egypt, and merchandise of
|
|
Ethiopia and of the Sabeans, men of stature, shall come over unto
|
|
thee, and they shall be thine: they shall come after thee; in
|
|
chains they shall come over, and they shall fall down unto thee,
|
|
they shall make supplication unto thee, <I>saying,</I> Surely God <I>is</I>
|
|
in thee; and <I>there is</I> none else, <I>there is</I> no God.
|
|
15 Verily thou <I>art</I> a God that hidest thyself, O God of
|
|
Israel, the Saviour.
|
|
16 They shall be ashamed, and also confounded, all of them:
|
|
they shall go to confusion together <I>that are</I> makers of idols.
|
|
17 <I>But</I> Israel shall be saved in the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> with an everlasting
|
|
salvation: ye shall not be ashamed nor confounded world without
|
|
end.
|
|
18 For thus saith the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> that created the heavens; God
|
|
himself that formed the earth and made it; he hath established
|
|
it, he created it not in vain, he formed it to be inhabited: I
|
|
<I>am</I> the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>; and <I>there is</I> none else.
|
|
19 I have not spoken in secret, in a dark place of the earth: I
|
|
said not unto the seed of Jacob, Seek ye me in vain: I the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>
|
|
speak righteousness, I declare things that are right.
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
The people of God in captivity, who reconciled themselves to the will
|
|
of God in their affliction and were content to wait his time for their
|
|
deliverance, are here assured that they should not wait in vain.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
I. They are invited to enquire concerning the issue of their troubles,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+45:11"><I>v.</I> 11</A>.
|
|
|
|
<I>The Holy One of Israel, and his Maker,</I> though he does not allow
|
|
them to strive with him, yet encourages them,
|
|
|
|
1. To consult his word: "<I>Ask of me things to come;</I> have recourse
|
|
to the prophets and their prophecies, and see what they say concerning
|
|
these things. Ask the watchmen, What of the night? Ask them, How
|
|
long?" Things to come, as far as they are revealed, belong to us and to
|
|
our children, and we must not be strangers to them.
|
|
|
|
2. To seek unto him by prayer: "<I>Concerning my sons and concerning
|
|
the work of my hands,</I> which as becomes them submit to the will of
|
|
their Father, the will of their potter, <I>command you me,</I> not by
|
|
way of prescription, but by way of petition. Be earnest in your
|
|
requests, and confident in your expectations, as far as both are guided
|
|
by and grounded upon the promise." We may not strive with our Maker by
|
|
passionate complaints, but we may wrestle with him by faithful and
|
|
fervent prayer. <I>My sons, and the work of my hands, commend to me</I>
|
|
(so some read it), bring them to me and leave them with me. See the
|
|
power of prayer, and its prevalency with God: <I>Thou shalt cry, and he
|
|
shall say, Here I am; what would you that I should do unto you?</I>
|
|
Some read it with an interrogation, as carrying on the reproof
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+45:9,10"><I>v.</I> 9, 10</A>):
|
|
|
|
<I>Do you question me concerning things to come?</I> and am I bound to
|
|
give you an account? <I>And concerning my children, even concerning the
|
|
work of my hands, will you command me,</I> or prescribe to me? Dare you
|
|
do so? <I>Shall any teach God knowledge,</I> or give law to him? Those
|
|
that complain of God do in effect assume an authority over him.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
II. They are encouraged to depend upon the power of God when they are
|
|
brought very low and are utterly incapable of helping themselves,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+45:12"><I>v.</I> 12</A>.
|
|
|
|
Their <I>help stands in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and
|
|
earth,</I> which he mentions here, not only for his own glory, but for
|
|
their comfort. The heavens and earth shall contribute, if he please, to
|
|
the deliverance of the church
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+45:8"><I>v.</I> 8</A>),
|
|
|
|
for he created both, and therefore has both at command.
|
|
|
|
1. He <I>made the earth, and created man upon it,</I> for it was
|
|
intended to be a habitation for man,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+115:16">Ps. cxv. 16</A>.
|
|
|
|
He has therefore not only authority, but wisdom and power sufficient to
|
|
govern man here on this earth and to make what use he pleases of him.
|
|
|
|
2. His <I>hands have stretched out the heavens, and all their hosts he
|
|
commanded</I> into being at first, and therefore still governs all
|
|
their motions and influences. It is good news to God's Israel that
|
|
their God is the creator and governor of the world.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
III. They are particularly told what God would do for them, that they
|
|
might know what to depend upon; and this shall lead them to expect a
|
|
more glorious Redeemer and redemption, of whom, and of which, Cyrus and
|
|
their deliverance by him were types and figures.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
1. Liberty shall be proclaimed to them,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+45:13"><I>v.</I> 13</A>.
|
|
|
|
Cyrus is the man that shall proclaim it; and, in order hereunto, God
|
|
will put power into his hands: <I>I have raised him up in
|
|
righteousness,</I> that is, in pursuance and performance of my promises
|
|
and to plead my people's just but injured cause. He will give him
|
|
success in all his enterprises, particularly that against Babylon: <I>I
|
|
will direct all his ways;</I> and then it follows that he will prosper
|
|
him, for those must needs speed well that are under a divine direction.
|
|
God will make plain the way of those whom he designs to employ for him.
|
|
Two things Cyrus must do for God:--
|
|
|
|
(1.) Jerusalem is God's city, but it is now in ruins, and he must
|
|
rebuild it, that is, he must give orders for the rebuilding of it, and
|
|
give wherewithal to do it.
|
|
|
|
(2.) Israel is God's people, but they are now captives, and he must
|
|
release them freely and generously, not demanding any ransom, nor
|
|
compounding with them for price or reward. And Christ is anointed to
|
|
do that for poor captive souls which Cyrus was to do for the captive
|
|
Jews, to proclaim the <I>opening of the prison to those that were
|
|
bound</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+61:1"><I>ch.</I> lxi. 1</A>),
|
|
|
|
enlargement from a worse bondage than that in Babylon.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
2. Provision shall be made for them. They went out poor, and unable to
|
|
bear the expenses of their return and re-establishment; and therefore
|
|
it is promised that the labour of Egypt and other nations should
|
|
<I>come over to them and be theirs,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+45:14"><I>v.</I> 14</A>.
|
|
|
|
Cyrus, having conquered those countries, out of their spoils provided
|
|
for the returning Jews; and he ordered his subjects to furnish them
|
|
with necessaries
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ezr+1:4">Ezra i. 4</A>),
|
|
|
|
so that they did not go out empty from Babylon any more than from
|
|
Egypt. Those that are redeemed by Christ shall be not only provided
|
|
for, but enriched. Those whose spirits God stirs up to go to the
|
|
heavenly Zion may depend upon him to bear their charges. The world is
|
|
theirs as far as is good for them.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
3. Proselytes shall be brought over to them: <I>Men of stature shall
|
|
come after thee in chains; they shall fall down to thee, saying, Surely
|
|
God is in thee.</I> This was in part fulfilled when many of the people
|
|
of the land became Jews
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Es+8:17">Esther viii. 17</A>),
|
|
|
|
<I>and said, We will go with you,</I> humbly begging leave to do so,
|
|
<I>for we have heard that God is with you,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Zec+8:23">Zech. viii. 23</A>.
|
|
|
|
The restoration would be a means of the conviction of many and the
|
|
conversion of some. Perhaps many of the Chaldeans who were now
|
|
themselves conquered by Cyrus, when they saw the Jews going back in
|
|
triumph, came and begged pardon for the affronts and abuses they had
|
|
given them, owned that God was among them and that he was God alone,
|
|
and therefore desired to join themselves to them. But this promise was
|
|
to have its full accomplishment in the gospel church,--when the
|
|
Gentiles shall become obedient by word and deed to the faith of Christ
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ro+15:18">Rom. xv. 18</A>),
|
|
|
|
as willing captives to the church
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+110:3">Ps. cx. 3</A>),
|
|
|
|
glad to wear her chains,--when an infidel, beholding the public worship
|
|
of Christians, shall own himself convinced that <I>God is with them of
|
|
a truth</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Co+14:24,25">1 Cor. xiv. 24, 25</A>)
|
|
|
|
and shall assay to join himself to them,--and when those that had been
|
|
<I>of the synagogue of Satan shall come and worship before the church's
|
|
feet,</I> and be made to <I>know that God has loved her</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Re+3:9">Rev. iii. 9</A>),
|
|
|
|
and the <I>kings of the earth and the nations shall bring their glory
|
|
into the gospel Jerusalem,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Re+21:24">Rev. xxi. 24</A>.
|
|
|
|
Note, It is good to be with those, though it be in chains, that have
|
|
God with them.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
IV. They are taught to trust God further than they can see him. The
|
|
prophet puts this word into their mouths, and goes before them in
|
|
saying it
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+45:15"><I>v.</I> 15</A>):
|
|
|
|
<I>Verily, thou art a God that hidest thyself.</I>
|
|
|
|
1. God hid himself when he brought them into the trouble, <I>hid
|
|
himself and was wroth,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+57:17"><I>ch.</I> lvii. 17</A>.
|
|
|
|
Note, Though God be his people's God and Saviour, yet sometimes, when
|
|
they provoke him, he hides himself from them in displeasure, suspends
|
|
his favours, and lays them under his frowns: but let them <I>wait upon
|
|
the Lord that hides his face,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+8:17"><I>ch.</I> viii. 17</A>.
|
|
|
|
2. He hid himself when he was bringing them out of the trouble. Note,
|
|
When God is acting as Israel's God and Saviour commonly <I>his way is
|
|
in the sea,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+77:19">Ps. lxxvii. 19</A>.
|
|
|
|
The salvation of the church is carried on in a mysterious way, by the
|
|
Spirit of the Lord of hosts working on men's spirits
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Zec+4:6">Zech. iv. 6</A>),
|
|
|
|
by weak and unlikely instruments, small and accidental occurrences, and
|
|
not wrought till the last extremity; but this is our comfort, though
|
|
God hide himself, we are sure he is <I>the God of Israel,</I> the
|
|
<I>Saviour.</I> See
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Job+35:14">Job xxxv. 14</A>.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
V. They are instructed to triumph over idolaters and all the
|
|
worshippers of other gods
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+45:16"><I>v.</I> 16</A>):
|
|
|
|
<I>Those who are makers of idols,</I> not only who frame them, but who
|
|
make gods of them by praying to them, <I>shall be ashamed and
|
|
confounded,</I> when they shall be convinced of their mistakes and
|
|
shall be forced to acknowledged that the God of Israel is the only true
|
|
God, and when they shall be disappointed in their expectations from
|
|
their idols, under whose protection they had put themselves. They shall
|
|
go to confusion when they shall find that they can neither excuse the
|
|
sin nor escape the punishment of it,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+97:7">Ps. xcvii. 7</A>.
|
|
|
|
It is not here and there one more timorous than the rest that shall
|
|
thus shrink, and give up the cause, but <I>all of them;</I> nay, though
|
|
they appear in a body, though hand join in hand, and they do all they
|
|
can to keep one another in countenance, yet <I>they shall go to
|
|
confusion together.</I> Bind them in bundles, to burn them.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
VI. They are assured that those who trust in God shall never be made
|
|
ashamed of their confidence in him,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+45:17"><I>v.</I> 17</A>.
|
|
|
|
Now that God was about to deliver them out of Babylon he directed them
|
|
by his prophet,
|
|
|
|
1. To look up to him as the author of their salvation: <I>Israel shall
|
|
be saved in the Lord.</I> Not only their salvation shall be wrought out
|
|
by his power, but it shall be treasured up for them in his grace and
|
|
promise, and so secured to them. They shall be saved in him; for his
|
|
name shall be their strong tower, into which they shall run, and in
|
|
which they shall be safe.
|
|
|
|
2. To look beyond this temporal deliverance to that which is spiritual
|
|
and has reference to another world, to think of that salvation by the
|
|
Messiah which is an everlasting salvation, the salvation of the soul, a
|
|
rescue from everlasting misery and a restoration to everlasting bliss.
|
|
"Give diligence to make that sure, for it may be made sure, so sure
|
|
that <I>you shall not be ashamed nor confounded world with out end.</I>
|
|
You shall not only be delivered from the <I>everlasting shame and
|
|
contempt</I> which will be the portion of idolaters
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Da+12:2">Dan. xii. 2</A>),
|
|
|
|
but you shall have everlasting honour and glory."
|
|
|
|
[1.] There is a world without end; and it will be well or ill with us
|
|
according as it will be with us in that world.
|
|
|
|
[2.] Those who are saved with the everlasting salvation shall never be
|
|
ashamed of what they did or suffered in the hopes of it; for it will so
|
|
far outdo their expectations as to be a more abundant reimbursement.
|
|
The returning captives owned that to them did <I>belong confusion of
|
|
face</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Da+9:7,8">Dan. ix. 7, 8</A>);
|
|
|
|
yet God tells them that they shall not be confounded, but shall have
|
|
assurance for ever. Those who are confounded as penitents for their
|
|
own sin shall not be confounded as believers in God's promise and
|
|
power.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
VII. They are engaged for ever to cleave to God, and never to desert
|
|
him, never to distrust him. What had been often inculcated before is
|
|
here again repeated, for the encouragement of his people to continue
|
|
faithful to him, and to hope that he would be so to them: <I>I am the
|
|
Lord, and there is none else.</I> That the Lord we serve and trust in
|
|
is God alone appears by the two great lights, that of nature and that
|
|
of revelation.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
1. It appears by the light of nature; for he made the world, and
|
|
therefore may justly demand its homage
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+45:18"><I>v.</I> 18</A>):
|
|
|
|
"<I>Thus saith the Lord, that created the heavens and formed the earth,
|
|
I am the Lord,</I> the sovereign Lord of all, <I>and there is none
|
|
else.</I>" The gods of the heathen did not do this, nay, they did not
|
|
pretend to do it. He here mentions the creation of the heavens, but
|
|
enlarges more upon that of the earth, because that is the part of the
|
|
creation which we have the nearest view of and are most conversant
|
|
with. It is here observed,
|
|
|
|
(1.) That he formed it. It is not a rude and indigested chaos, but cast
|
|
into the most proper shape and size by Infinite Wisdom.
|
|
|
|
(2.) That he fixed it. When he had made it he established it,
|
|
<I>founded it on the seas,</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+24:2">Ps. xxiv. 2</A>),
|
|
|
|
<I>hung it on nothing</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Job+26:7">Job xxvi. 7</A>)
|
|
|
|
as at first he made it of nothing, and yet made it substantial an hung
|
|
it fast, <I>ponderibus librata suis--poised by its own weight.</I>
|
|
|
|
(3.) That he fitted it for use, and for the service of man, to whom he
|
|
designed to give it. <I>He created it not in vain,</I> merely to be a
|
|
proof of his power; but <I>he formed it to be inhabited</I> by the
|
|
children of men, and for that end he drew the waters off from it, with
|
|
which it was at first covered, and made the <I>dry land appear,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+104:6,7">Ps. civ. 6, 7</A>.
|
|
|
|
Be it observed here, to the honour of God's wisdom, that he made
|
|
nothing in vain, but intended every thing for some end and fitted it to
|
|
answer the intention. If any man prove to have been made in vain, it is
|
|
his own fault. It should also be observed, to the honour of God's
|
|
goodness and his favour to man, that he reckoned that not made in vain
|
|
which serves for his use and benefit, to be a habitation and
|
|
maintenance for him.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
2. It appears by the light of revelation. As the works of God
|
|
abundantly prove that he is God alone, so does his word, and the
|
|
discovery he has made of himself and of his mind and will by it. His
|
|
oracles far exceed those of the Pagan deities, as well as his
|
|
operations,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+45:19"><I>v.</I> 19</A>.
|
|
|
|
The preference is here placed in three things:--All that God has said
|
|
is plain, satisfactory, and just.
|
|
|
|
(1.) In the manner of the delivery of it it is plain and open: <I>I
|
|
have not spoken in secret, in a dark place of the earth.</I> The Pagan
|
|
deities delivered their oracles out of dens and caverns, with a low and
|
|
hollow voice, and in ambiguous expressions; those that had familiar
|
|
spirits whispered and muttered
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+8:19"><I>ch.</I> viii. 19</A>);
|
|
|
|
but God delivered his law from the top of Mount Sinai before all the
|
|
thousands of Israel, in distinct, audible, and intelligible sounds.
|
|
Wisdom <I>cries in the chief places of concourse,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Pr+1:20,21,8:1-3">Prov. i. 20, 21; viii. 1-3</A>.
|
|
|
|
The vision is written, and made plain, so that he who runs may read it;
|
|
if he be obscure to any, they may thank themselves. Christ pleaded in
|
|
his own defence what God says here, <I>In secret have I said
|
|
nothing,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+18:20">John xviii. 20</A>.
|
|
|
|
(2.) In the use and benefit of it it was highly satisfactory: <I>I said
|
|
not unto the seed of Jacob,</I> who consulted these oracles and
|
|
governed themselves by them, <I>Seek you me in vain,</I> as the false
|
|
gods did to their worshippers, who sought <I>for the living to the
|
|
dead,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+8:19"><I>ch.</I> viii. 19</A>.
|
|
|
|
This includes all the gracious answers that God gave both to those who
|
|
consulted him (his word is to them a faithful guide) and to those that
|
|
prayed to him. The seed of Jacob are a praying people; it is the
|
|
<I>generation of those that seek him,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+24:6">Ps. xxiv. 6</A>.
|
|
|
|
And, as he has in his word invited them to seek him, so he never denied
|
|
their believing prayers nor disappointed their believing expectations.
|
|
He said not to them, to any of them, <I>Seek you me in vain;</I> for,
|
|
if he did not think fit to give them the particular thing they prayed
|
|
for, yet he gave them such a sufficiency of grace and such comfort and
|
|
satisfaction of soul as were equivalent. What we say of winter is true
|
|
of prayer, It never rots in the skies. God not only gives a gracious
|
|
answer to those that diligently seek him, but will be their bountiful
|
|
rewarder.
|
|
|
|
(3.) In the matter of it it was incontestably just, and there was no
|
|
iniquity in it: <I>I the Lord speak righteousness, I declare things
|
|
that are right,</I> and consonant to the eternal rules and reasons of
|
|
good and evil. The heathen deities dictated those things to their
|
|
worshippers which were the reproach of human nature and tended to the
|
|
extirpation of virtue; but God speaks righteousness, dictates that
|
|
which is right in itself and tends to make men righteous; and therefore
|
|
he is God, and there is none else.</P>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Isa45_20"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Isa45_21"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Isa45_22"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Isa45_23"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Isa45_24"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Isa45_25"> </A>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Sec4"> </A>
|
|
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
|
|
<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>The Folly of Idolatry; Salvation in Christ.</I></FONT></TD>
|
|
<TD ALIGN=RIGHT><FONT SIZE=-1>B. C.</FONT> 708.</TD></TR>
|
|
<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
|
|
</TABLE>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>20 Assemble yourselves and come; draw near together, ye <I>that
|
|
are</I> escaped of the nations: they have no knowledge that set up
|
|
the wood of their graven image, and pray unto a god <I>that</I> cannot
|
|
save.
|
|
21 Tell ye, and bring <I>them</I> near; yea, let them take counsel
|
|
together: who hath declared this from ancient time? <I>who</I> hath
|
|
told it from that time? <I>have</I> not I the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>? and <I>there is</I> no
|
|
God else beside me; a just God and a Saviour; <I>there is</I> none
|
|
beside me.
|
|
22 Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth:
|
|
for I <I>am</I> God, and <I>there is</I> none else.
|
|
23 I have sworn by myself, the word is gone out of my mouth
|
|
<I>in</I> righteousness, and shall not return, That unto me every knee
|
|
shall bow, every tongue shall swear.
|
|
24 Surely, shall <I>one</I> say, in the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> have I righteousness
|
|
and strength: <I>even</I> to him shall <I>men</I> come; and all that are
|
|
incensed against him shall be ashamed.
|
|
25 In the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> shall all the seed of Israel be justified, and
|
|
shall glory.
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
What here is said is intended, as before,</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
I. For the conviction of idolators, to show them their folly in
|
|
worshipping gods that cannot help them, and neglecting a God that can.
|
|
Let all <I>that have escaped of the nations,</I> not only the people of
|
|
the Jews, but those of other nations that were by Cyrus released out of
|
|
captivity in Babylon, let them come, and hear what is to be said
|
|
against the worshipping of idols, that they may be cured of it as well
|
|
as the Jews, that Babylon, which had of old been the womb of idolatry,
|
|
might now become the grave of it. Let the refugees assemble themselves
|
|
and come together; God has something to say to them for their own good,
|
|
and it is this, that idolatry is a foolish sottish thing, upon two
|
|
accounts:--</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
1. It is setting up a refuge of lies for themselves: <I>They set up the
|
|
wood of their graven image;</I> for that is the <I>substratum.</I>
|
|
Though they overlay it with gold, deck it with ornaments, and make a
|
|
god of it, yet still it is but wood. They <I>pray to a god that cannot
|
|
save;</I> for he cannot hear, he cannot help, he can do nothing. How do
|
|
those disparage themselves who give honour to that as a god which
|
|
cannot, as a god, give good to them! How do those deceive themselves
|
|
who pray for relief to that which is in no capacity at all to relieve
|
|
them! Certainly those have no knowledge, or are brutish in their
|
|
knowledge, who take so much pains, and do so much penance, in seeking
|
|
the favour of a god that has no power.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
2. It is setting up a rival with God, the only living and true God
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+45:21"><I>v.</I> 21</A>):
|
|
|
|
"Summon them all; tell them that the great cause shall again be tried,
|
|
though once adjudged, between God and Baal. <I>Bring them near, and let
|
|
them take counsel together</I> what to say in defence of themselves and
|
|
their idols. It shall, as before, be put upon this issue: let them show
|
|
when any of their gods did with any certainty foretel future events, as
|
|
the God of Israel has done, and it shall be acknowledged that they have
|
|
some colour for their pretensions. But None of them ever did; their
|
|
prophets were lying prophets; but <I>I the Lord have told it from that
|
|
time,</I> long before it came to pass; therefore you must own <I>thee
|
|
is no other God besides me.</I>"
|
|
|
|
(1.) None besides is fit to rule. He is <I>a just God,</I> and rules in
|
|
justice, and will execute justice for those that are oppressed.
|
|
|
|
(2.) None besides is able to help. As he is a just God, so he is <I>the
|
|
Saviour,</I> who can save without the assistance of any, but without
|
|
whom none can save. Those therefore have no sense of truth and
|
|
falsehood, good and evil, no, nor of their own interest, that set up
|
|
any in competition with him.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
II. For the comfort and encouragement of all God's faithful
|
|
worshippers, whoever they are,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+45:22"><I>v.</I> 22</A>.
|
|
|
|
Those that worship idols pray to gods that cannot save; but the God of
|
|
Israel says it to all the ends of the earth, to his people, though they
|
|
are scattered into the utmost corners of the world and seem to be lost
|
|
and forgotten in their dispersion, "Let them but <I>look to me</I> by
|
|
faith and prayer, look above instruments and second causes, look off
|
|
from all pretenders, and look up to me, and they shall <I>be
|
|
saved.</I>" It seems to refer further to the conversion of the Gentiles
|
|
that live in the ends of the earth, the most distant nations, when the
|
|
standard of the gospel is set up. <I>To it shall the Gentiles seek.</I>
|
|
When Christ is lifted up from the earth, as the brazen serpent upon the
|
|
pole, he shall draw the eyes of all men to him. They shall all be
|
|
invited to look unto him, as the stung Israelites did to the brazen
|
|
serpent; and so strong is the eye of faith that by divine grace it will
|
|
reach the Saviour and fetch in salvation by him even from the ends of
|
|
the earth; for <I>he is God, and the is none else.</I> Two things are
|
|
here promised, for the abundant satisfaction of all that by faith look
|
|
to the Saviour:--</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
1. That the glory of the God they serve shall be greatly advanced; and
|
|
this will be good news to all the Lord's people, that, how much soever
|
|
they and their names are depressed, God will be exalted,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+45:23"><I>v.</I> 23</A>.
|
|
|
|
This is confirmed by an oath, that we might have strong consolation:
|
|
<I>I have sworn by myself</I> (and God can swear by no greater,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Heb+6:13">Heb. vi. 13</A>);
|
|
|
|
<I>the word has gone out of my mouth,</I> and shall neither be recalled
|
|
nor return empty; it has gone forth <I>in righteousness,</I> for it is
|
|
the most reasonable equitable thing in the world that he who made all
|
|
should be Lord of all, that, since all beings are derived from him,
|
|
they should all be devoted to him. He has said it, and it shall be made
|
|
good, <I>I will be exalted,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+46:10">Ps. xlvi. 10</A>.
|
|
|
|
He has assured us,
|
|
|
|
(1.) That he will be universally submitted to, that the kingdoms of the
|
|
world shall become his kingdom. They shall do him homage--<I>Unto me
|
|
every knee shall bow;</I> and they shall bind themselves by an oath of
|
|
allegiance to him--<I>Unto me every tongue shall swear.</I> This is
|
|
applied to the dominion of our Lord Jesus,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ro+14:10,11">Rom. xiv. 10, 11</A>.
|
|
|
|
<I>We shall all stand before the judgment-seat of Christ</I> and give
|
|
account to him, for it is written, <I>As I live, saith the Lord, every
|
|
knee shall bow to me and every tongue shall confess to God;</I> and it
|
|
seems to be referred to,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+2:9,10">Ps. ii. 9, 10</A>.
|
|
|
|
If the heart be brought into obedience to Christ, and made willing in
|
|
the day of his power, the knee will bow to him in humble adorations and
|
|
addresses, and in cheerful obedience to his commands, submission to his
|
|
disposals, and compliance with his will in both; and the tongue will
|
|
swear to him, will lay a bond upon the soul to engage it for ever to
|
|
him; for he that bears an honest mind never startles at assurances.
|
|
|
|
(2.) That he will be universally sought unto, and application shall be
|
|
made to him from all parts of the world: <I>Unto him shall men of
|
|
distant countries come,</I> to implore his favour. <I>Unto thee shall
|
|
all flesh come</I> with their request,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+65:2">Ps. lxv. 2</A>.
|
|
|
|
And, when Christ was <I>lifted up from the earth, he drew all men to
|
|
him.</I>
|
|
|
|
(3.) That it will be to no purpose to make opposition to him. <I>All
|
|
that are incensed against him,</I> that rage at his bonds and
|
|
cords--the nations that are angry because he has taken to himself his
|
|
great power and has reigned, that have been incensed at the strictness
|
|
of his laws, the success of his gospel, and the spiritual nature of his
|
|
kingdom--they <I>shall be ashamed;</I> some shall be brought to a
|
|
penitential shame for it, others to a remediless ruin. One way or
|
|
other, sooner or later, all that are uneasy at Christ's government and
|
|
victories will be made ashamed of their folly and obstinacy. Blessed be
|
|
God for the assurance here given us that, whatever becomes of us and
|
|
our interests, <I>the Lord will reign for ever!</I></P>
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<P>
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2. That the welfare of the souls they are concerned for shall be
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effectually secured: <I>Surely shall one say,</I> and another shall
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learn by his example to say the same, so that all the seed of Israel,
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according to the Spirit, shall say, and stand to it,
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(1.) That God has a sufficiency for them and that in Christ there is
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enough to supply all their needs: <I>In the Lord is all righteousness
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and strength</I> (so the margin reads it); he is himself righteous and
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strong. He can do every thing, and yet will do nothing but what is
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unquestionably just and equitable. He has also wherewithal to supply
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the needs of those that seek to him and depend upon him, upon the
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equity of his providence and the treasures of his grace; nay, we may
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say, not only "<I>He</I> has it," but, "In him <I>we</I> have it,"
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because he has said that he will be to us a God. In the Lord the
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captive Jews had righteousness (that is, grace both to sanctify their
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afflictions to them and to qualify them for deliverance) and strength
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for their support and escape. In the Lord Jesus we have righteousness
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to recommend us to the good-will of God towards us, and strength to
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begin and carry on the good work of God in us. He is the fountain of
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both, and on him we must depend for both, must <I>go forth in his
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strength, and make mention of his righteousness,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+71:16">Ps. lxxi. 16</A>.
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(2.) That they shall have an abundant bliss and satisfaction in this.
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[1.] The people of the Jews shall in the Lord be justified before men
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and openly glory in their God. The oppressors reproached them, loaded
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them with calumny, and boasted even of a right to oppress them, as
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|
abandoned by their God; but, when God shall work out their deliverance,
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that shall be their justification from these hard censures, and
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therefore they shall glory in it.
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[2.] All true Christians, that depend upon Christ for strength and
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righteousness, in him shall be justified and shall glory in that.
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Observe, <I>First,</I> All believers are the seed of Israel, an upright
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praying seed. <I>Secondly,</I> The great privilege they enjoy by Jesus
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Christ is that in him, and for his sake, they are justified before God,
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Christ being made of God to them righteousness. All that are justified
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will own it is in Christ that they are justified, nor could they be
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justified by any other; and those who are justified shall be glorified.
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And therefore, <I>Thirdly,</I> The great duty believers owe to Christ
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is to glory in him, and to make their boast of him. <I>Therefore</I> he
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is made all in all to us, that <I>whose glories may glory in the
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Lord;</I> and let us comply with this intention.</P>
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