Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
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Isaiah
Book: Isaiah
Chapter: 47
Overview:
God's judgments
On Babylon.
(1-6) Carelessness and confidence
shall not prevent the evil.
(7-15)
1-6 Babylon is represented under the emblem of a female in
Deep
distress. She was to be degraded and endure sufferings; and is
represented
Sitting On the ground, grinding at the
Hand Mill, the
lowest and most laborious service.
God was righteous in his
vengeance, and none should interpose. The
Prophet exults in the
Lord of hosts, as the
Redeemer and Holy One of
Israel.
God often
permits wicked men to prevail against his people; but those who
cruelly oppress them will be punished.
7-15 Let us beware of acting and speaking as
Babylon did; of
trusting in tyranny and oppression; of boasting as to our
abilities, relying
On ourselves, and ascribing success to our
own prudence and
Wisdom; lest we partake of her plagues. Those
in the height of prosperity, are apt to fancy themselves out of
the reach of adversity. It is also common for sinners to think
they shall be safe, because they think to be secret in wicked
ways. But their security shall be their ruin. Let us draw from
such passages as the foregoing, those lessons of
Humility and
trust in
God which they convey. If we believe the
Word of God,
we may know how it will be with the righteous and the wicked to
all eternity. We may learn how to escape the wrath to come, to
Glorify God, to have peace through
Life,
Hope in
Death, and
Everlasting happiness. Let us then stand aloof from all
delusions.