Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
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Isaiah
Book: Isaiah
Chapter: 54
Overview:
The increase of the
Church By the
Conversion of the Jews and
Gentiles.
(1-5) Its certain deliverance.
(6-10) Its triumphant
state is described.
(11-17)
1-5 Observe the low state of religion in the world, for a long
time before Christianity was brought in. But
By preaching the
Gospel, multitudes were converted from idols to the living
God.
This is matter of great rejoicing to the
Church. The bounds of
the
Church were extended. Though its state
On Earth is but mean
and movable, like a
Tent or
Tabernacle, it is sometimes a
growing state, and must be enlarged as the family increases. But
the more numerous the
Church grows, the more she must fortify
herself against errors and corruptions. Thy Maker is thy
Husband.
Christ is the Holy One of
Israel, the
Mediator of the
Covenant made with the Old
Testament Church. Long he had been
called the
God of
Israel; but now he shall be called the
God of
the whole
Earth. And he will cleanse from
Sin, and cause every
true believer to rejoice in this sacred union. We never can
enough admire this
Mercy, or duly value this privilege.
6-10 As
God is slow to
Anger,
So he is swift to show
Mercy. And
how sweet the returns of
Mercy would be, when
God should come
and comfort them! He will have
Mercy On them.
God's gathering
his people takes rise from his
Mercy, not any merit of theirs;
and it is with great mercies, with
Everlasting kindness. The
wrath is little, the mercies great; the wrath for a moment, the
kindness
Everlasting. We are neither to despond under
Afflictions, nor to despair of relief. Mountains have been
shaken and removed, but the promises of
God never were broken
By
any event. Mountains and hills also signify great men.
Creature-confidences shall fail; but when our friends fail us,
our
God does not. All this is alike applicable to the
Church at
large, and to each believer.
God will rebuke and correct his
people for sins; but he will not cast them off. Let this
encourage us to give the more diligence to make our
Calling and
election sure.
11-17 Let the people of
God, when afflicted and tossed, think
they hear
God speaking comfortably to them
By these words,
taking notice of their griefs and fears. The
Church is all
glorious when full of the knowledge of
God; for none teaches
like him. It is a promise of the teaching and
Gifts of the Holy
Spirit. All that are taught of
God are taught to
Love one
another. This seems to relate especially to the glorious times
to succeed the tribulations of the
Church.
Holiness, more than
any thing, is the beauty of the
Church.
God promises protection.
There shall be
No fears within; there shall be
No fightings
without. Military men value themselves
On their splendid titles,
but
God calls them, "Wasters made to destroy," for they make
wasting and
Destruction their business. He created them,
therefore he will serve his own designs
By them. The
Day is
coming when
God will reckon with wicked men for their hard
speeches,
Jude 15. Security and final victory are the
heritage of each
Faithful servant of the
Lord. The
Righteousness
By which they are justified, and the
Grace By which they are
sanctified, are the
Gift of
God, and the effect of his special
Love. Let us beseech him to sanctify our souls, and to employ us
in his service.