Bible Heaven/Bible Heaven.iso/online/mhcc24/v25800

Text File | 1994-03-02 | 6KB | 105 lines

25809
 * Woes against proud oppressors. (1-4) The Assyrian but an
 instrument in the hand of God for the punishment of his people.
 (5-19) The deliverance from him. (20-34)

 #1-4 These verses are to be joined with the foregoing chapter.
 Woe to the superior powers that devise and decree unrighteous
 decrees! And woe to the inferior officers that draw them up, and
 enter them on record! But what will sinners do? Whither will
 they flee?

25813
 #5-19 See what a change sin made. The king of Assyria, in his
 pride, thought to act by his own will. The tyrants of the world
 are tools of Providence. God designs to correct his people for
 their hypocrisy, and bring them nearer to him; but is that
 Sennacherib's design? No; he designs to gratify his own
 covetousness and ambition. The Assyrian boasts what great things
 he has done to other nations, by his own policy and power. He
 knows not that it is God who makes him what he is, and puts the
 staff into his hand. He had done all this with ease; none moved
 the wing, or cried as birds do when their nests are rifled.
 Because he conquered Samaria, he thinks Jerusalem would fall of
 course. It was lamentable that Jerusalem should have set up
 graven images, and we cannot wonder that she was excelled in
 them by the heathen. But is it not equally foolish for
 Christians to emulate the people of the world in vanities,
 instead of keeping to things which are their special honour? For
 a tool to boast, or to strive against him that formed it, would
 not be more out of the way, than for Sennacherib to vaunt
 himself against Jehovah. When God brings his people into
 trouble, it is to bring sin to their remembrance, and humble
 them, and to awaken them to a sense of their duty; this must be
 the fruit, even the taking away of sin. When these points are
 gained by the affliction, it shall be removed in mercy. This
 attempt upon Zion and Jerusalem should come to nothing. God will
 be as a fire to consume the workers of iniquity, both soul and
 body. The desolation should be as when a standard-bearer
 fainteth, and those who follow are put to confusion. Who is able
 to stand before this great and holy Lord God?

25828
 #20-34 By our afflictions we may learn not to make creatures our
 confidence. Those only can with comfort stay upon God, who
 return to him in truth, not in pretence and profession only. God
 will justly bring this wasting away on a provoking people, but
 will graciously set bounds to it. It is against the mind and
 will of God, that his people, whatever happens, should give way
 to fear. God's anger against his people is but for a moment; and
 when that is turned from us, we need not fear the fury of man.
 The rod with which he corrected his people, shall not only be
 laid aside, but thrown into the fire. To encourage God's people,
 the prophet puts them in mind of what God had formerly done
 against the enemies of his church. God's people shall be
 delivered from the Assyrians. Some think it looks to the
 deliverance of the Jews out of their captivity; and further yet,
 to the redemption of believers from the tyranny of sin and
 Satan. And this, "because of the anointing;" for his people
 Israel's sake, the believers among them that had received the
 unction of Divine grace. And for the sake of the Messiah, the
 Anointed of God. Here is, ver. #28-34|, a prophetical
 description of Sennacherib's march towards Jerusalem, when he
 threatened to destroy that city. Then the Lord, in whom Hezekiah
 trusted, cut down his army like the hewing of a forest. Let us
 apply what is here written, to like matters in other ages of the
 church of Christ. Because of the anointing of our great
 Redeemer, the yoke of every antichrist must be broken from off
 his church: and if our souls partake of the unction of the Holy
 Spirit, complete and eternal deliverances will be secured to us.
25843
 * 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.