‏ Isaiah 42

* The character and coming of Christ. (1-4) The blessings of his

kingdom. (5-12) The prevalence of true religion. (13-17)

Unbelief and blindness reproved. (18-25)

1-4 This prophecy was fulfilled in Christ, #Mt 12:17|. Let our

souls rely on him, and rejoice in him; then, for his sake, the

Father will be well-pleased with us. The Holy Spirit not only

came, but rested upon him, and without measure. He patiently

bore the contradiction of sinners. His kingdom is spiritual; he

was not to appear with earthly honours. He is tender of those

oppressed with doubts and fears, as a bruised reed; those who

are as smoking flax, as the wick of a lamp newly lighted, which

is ready to go out again. He will not despise them, nor lay upon

them more work or more suffering than they can bear. By a long

course of miracles and his resurrection, he fully showed the

truth of his holy religion. By the power of his gospel and grace

he fixes principles in the minds of men, which tend to make them

wise and just. The most distant nations wait for his law, wait

for his gospel, and shall welcome it. If we would make our

calling and election sure, and have the Father delight over us

for good, we must behold, hear, believe in, and obey Christ. 5-12 The work of redemption brings back man to the obedience he

owes to God as his Maker. Christ is the light of the world. And

by his grace he opens the understandings Satan has blinded, and

sets at liberty from the bondage of sin. The Lord has supported

his church. And now he makes new promises, which shall as

certainly be fulfilled as the old ones were. When the Gentiles

are brought into the church, he is glorified in them and by

them. Let us give to God those things which are his, taking heed

that we do not serve the creature more than the Creator. 13-17 The Lord will appear in his power and glory. He shall

cry, in the preaching of his word. He shall cry aloud in the

gospel woes, which must be preached with gospel blessings, to

awaken a sleeping world. He shall conquer by the power of his

Spirit. And those that contradict and blaspheme his gospel, he

shall put to silence and shame; and that which hinders its

progress shall be taken out of the way. To those who by nature

were blind, God will show the way to life and happiness by Jesus

Christ. They are weak in knowledge, but He will make darkness

light. They are weak in duty, but their way shall be plain.

Those whom God brings into the right way, he will guide in it.

This passage is a prophecy, and is also applicable to every

believer; for the Lord will never leave nor forsake them. 18-25 Observe the call given to this people, and the character

given of them. Multitudes are ruined for want of observing that

which they cannot but see; they perish, not through ignorance,

but carelessness. The Lord is well-pleased in the making known

his own righteousness. For their sins they were spoiled of all

their possessions. This fully came to pass in the destruction of

the Jewish nation. There is no resisting, nor escaping God's

anger. See the mischief sin makes; it provokes God to anger. And

those not humbled by lesser judgments, must expect greater.

Alas! how many professed Christians are blind as the benighted

heathen! While the Lord is well-pleased in saving sinners

through the righteousness of Christ he will also glorify his

justice, by punishing all proud despisers. Seeing God has poured

out his wrath on his once-favoured people, because of their

sins, let us fear, lest a promise being left us of entering into

his rest, any of us should be found to come short of it.