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1994-03-02
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26757
#13,14 The sabbath is a sign between God and his professing
people; his appointing it is a sign of his favour to them; and
their observing it is a sign of their obedience to him. We must
turn from travelling on that day; from doing our pleasure on
that holy day, without the control and restraint of conscience;
or from indulging in the pleasures of sense. On sabbath days we
must not follow our callings, or our pleasures. In all we say
and do, we must put a difference between this day and other
days. Even in Old Testament times the sabbath was called the
Lord's day, and is fitly called so still; and for a further
reason, it is the Lord Christ's day, #Re 1:10|. If we thus
remember the sabbath day to keep it holy, we shall have the
comfort and profit of it, and have reason to say, It is good to
draw near to God.
26759
* Reproofs of sin and wickedness. (1-8) Confession of sin, and
lamentation for the consequences. (9-15) Promises of
deliverance. (16-21)
#1-8 If our prayers are not answered, and the salvation we wait
for is not wrought for us, it is not because God is weary of
hearing prayer, but because we are weary of praying. See here
sin in true colours, exceedingly sinful; and see sin in its
consequences, exceedingly hurtful, separating from God, and so
separating us, not only from all good, but to all evil. Yet
numbers feed, to their own destruction, on infidel and wicked
systems. Nor can their skill or craft, in devising schemes, as
the spider weaves its web, deliver or save them. No schemes of
self-wrought salvation shall avail those who despise the
Redeemer's robe of righteousness. Every man who is destitute of
the Spirit of Christ, runs swiftly to evil of some sort; but
those regardless of Divine truth and justice, are strangers to
peace.
26767
#9-15 If we shut our eyes against the light of Divine truth, it
is just with God to hide from our eyes the things that belong to
our peace. The sins of those who profess themselves God's
people, are worse than the sins of others. And the sins of a
nation bring public judgments, when not restrained by public
justice. Men may murmur under calamities, but nothing will truly
profit while they reject Christ and his gospel.
26774
#16-21 This passage is connected with the following chapters. It
is generally thought to describe the coming of the Messiah, as
the Avenger and Deliverer of his church. There was none to
intercede with God to turn away his wrath; none to interpose for
the support of justice and truth. Yet He engaged his own
strength and righteousness for his people. God will make his
justice upon the enemies of his church and people plainly
appear. When the enemy threatens to bear down all without
control, then the Spirit of the Lord shall stop him, put him to
flight. He that has delivered, will still deliver. A far more
glorious salvation is promised to be wrought out by the Messiah
in the fulness of time, which all the prophets had in view. The
Son of God shall come to us to be our Redeemer; the Spirit of
God shall come to be our Sanctifier: thus the Comforter shall
abide with the church for ever, #Joh 14:16|. The word of Christ
will always continue in the mouths of the faithful; and whatever
is pretended to be the mind of the Spirit, must be tried by the
Scriptures. We must lament the progress of infidelity and
impiety. But the cause of the Redeemer shall gain a complete
victory even on earth, and the believer will be more than
conqueror when the Lord receives him to his glory in heaven.
26780
* The glories of the church of God, when the fulness of the
Gentiles shall come in; (1-8) and the Jews shall be converted
and gathered from their dispersions; (9-14) and the kingdoms of
this world shall become the kingdom of our Lord, and of his
Christ. (15-22)
#1-8 As far as we have the knowledge of God in us, and the
favour of God towards us, our light is come. And if God's glory
is seen upon us to our honour, we ought, not only with our lips,
but in our lives, to return its praise. We meet with nothing in
the history of the Jews which can be deemed a fulfilment of the
prophecy in this chapter; we must conclude it relates
principally to future events. It predicts the purity and
enlargement of the church. The conversion of souls is here
described. They fly to Christ, to the church, to the word and
ordinances, as doves to their own home; thither they fly for
refuge and shelter, thither they fly for rest. What a pleasant
sight to see poor souls hastening to Christ!
26788
#9-14 God will be very gracious. We must begin with his promise,
thence all mercies take rise. Many shall be brought into the
church, even from far countries. Christ is always ready to
receive all who come to him; and the gate of mercy is always
open, night and day. All that are about the church shall be made
serviceable to it. But those who will not be subject to Christ's
golden sceptre, to his word and Spirit, who will not be kept in
by the laws and rules of his family, shall be broken in pieces
by his iron rod. The peculiar advantages of every nation, and of
every description of men, shall join to beautify the church of
Christ. We must suppose this to be accomplished in the beauties
of holiness, and the graces and comforts of the Spirit, with
which gospel ordinances are adorned and enriched. Blessed be his
name, the gates of Zion are ever open to returning sinners.
26794
#15-22 We must look for the full accomplishment in times and
things, exceeding those of the Old Testament church. The nations
and their kings shall lay themselves out for the good of the
church. Such a salvation, such a redemption, shall be wrought
out for thee, as discovers itself to be the work of the Lord.
Every thing shall be changed for the better. In thy land shall
no more be heard threats of those that do violence, nor
complaints of those that suffer violence. Thy walls shall be
means of safety, thy gates shall be written upon with praises to
God. In the close of this chapter are images and expressions
used in the description of the New Jerusalem, #Re 21:23; 22:5|.
Nothing can answer to this but some future glorious state of the
church on earth, or the state of the church triumphant in
heaven. Those that make God their only light, shall have him
their all-sufficient light. And the happiness shall know no
change or alloy. No people on earth are all righteous; but there
are no mixtures in heaven. They shall be wholly righteous. The
spirits of just men shall there be made perfect. The glory of
the church shall be to the honour of God. When it shall be
finished, it will appear a work of wonder. It may seem too
difficult to be brought about, but the God of almighty power has
undertaken it. It may seem to be delayed and put off; but the
Lord will hasten it in the time appointed by his wisdom, though
not in the time prescribed by our folly. Let this hope cheer us
under all difficulties, and stir us up to all diligence, that we
may have an abundant entrance into this everlasting kingdom of
our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.