Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
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Isaiah
Book: Isaiah
Chapter: 11
Overview:
The peaceful character of
Christ's kingdom and subjects.
(1-9)
The
Conversion of the
Gentiles and Jews.
(10-16)
1-9 The
Messiah is called a Rod, and a
Branch. The words
signify a small, tender product; a shoot, such as is easily
broken off. He comes forth out of the stem of
Jesse; when the
royal family was cut down and almost levelled with the ground,
it would sprout again. The
House of
David was brought very low
at the time of
Christ's
Birth. The
Messiah thus gave early
notice that his kingdom was not of this world. But the Holy
Spirit, in all his
Gifts and graces, shall
Rest and abide upon
him; he shall have the
Fulness of the
Godhead dwelling in him,
Col 1:19; 2:9. Many consider that
Seven Gifts of the Holy
Spirit are here mentioned. And the doctrine of the influences of
the Holy
Spirit is here clearly taught. The
Messiah would be
just and righteous in all his government. His threatening shall
be executed
By the working of his
Spirit according to his
Word.
There shall be great peace and quiet under his government. The
Gospel changes the nature, and makes those who trampled
On the
meek of the
Earth, meek like them, and kind to them. But it
shall be more fully shown in the latter days. Also
Christ, the
great
Shepherd, shall take care of his flock, that the nature of
troubles, and of
Death itself, shall be
So changed, that they
shall not do any real hurt.
God's people shall be delivered, not
only from evil, but from the fear of it. Who shall separate us
from the
Love of
Christ? The better we know the
God of
Love, the
more shall we be changed into the same likeness, and the better
disposed to all who have any likeness to him. This knowledge
shall extend as
The Sea,
So far shall it spread. And of this
blessed power there have been witnesses in every
Age of
Christianity, though its most glorious time, here foretold, is
not yet arrived. Meanwhile let us aim that our
Example and
endeavours may help to promote the honour of
Christ and his
kingdom of peace.
10-16 When the
Gospel should be publicly preached, the
Gentiles
would seek
Christ Jesus as their
Lord and
Saviour, and find
Rest
of soul. When
God's time is come for the deliverance of his
people, mountains of opposition shall become plains before him.
God can soon turn gloomy days into glorious ones. And while we
expect the
Lord to gather his ancient people, and bring them
home to his
Church, also to bring in the
Fulness of the
Gentiles, when all will be united in holy
Love, let us tread the
Highway of
Holiness he has made for his redeemed. Let us wait
for the
Mercy of our
Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal
Life,
looking to him to prepare our way through
Death, that
River
which separates this world from the eternal world.