Isa 50 | MHCC | e4.org | 1-3 Those who have professed to be people of God, and seem to be dealt severely with, are apt to complain, as if God had been hard with them. Here is an answer for such murmurings; God never deprived any of their advantages, except for their sins. The Jews were sent into Babylon for their idolatry, a sin which broke the covenant; and they were at last rejected for crucifying the Lord of glory. God called on them to leave their sins, and prevent their own ruin. Last of all, the Son came to his own, but his own received him not. When God calls men to happiness, and they will not answer, they are justly left to be miserable. To silence doubts concerning his power, proofs of it are given. The wonders which attended his sufferings and death, proclaimed that he was the Son of God, #Mt 27:54|.

‏ Isaiah 50

* The rejection of the Jews. (1-3) The sufferings and exaltation

of the Messiah. (4-9) Consolation to the believer, and warning

to the unbeliever. (10,11)

1-3 Those who have professed to be people of God, and seem to

be dealt severely with, are apt to complain, as if God had been

hard with them. Here is an answer for such murmurings; God never

deprived any of their advantages, except for their sins. The

Jews were sent into Babylon for their idolatry, a sin which

broke the covenant; and they were at last rejected for

crucifying the Lord of glory. God called on them to leave their

sins, and prevent their own ruin. Last of all, the Son came to

his own, but his own received him not. When God calls men to

happiness, and they will not answer, they are justly left to be

miserable. To silence doubts concerning his power, proofs of it

are given. The wonders which attended his sufferings and death,

proclaimed that he was the Son of God, #Mt 27:54|. 4-9 As Jesus was God and man in one person, we find him

sometimes speaking, or spoken of, as the Lord God; at other

times, as man and the servant of Jehovah. He was to declare the

truths which comfort the broken, contrite heart, those weary of

sin, harassed with afflictions. And as the Holy Spirit was upon

him, that he might speak as never man spake; so the same Divine

influence daily wakened him to pray, to preach the gospel, and

to receive and deliver the whole will of the Father. The Father

justified the Son when he accepted the satisfaction he made for

the sin of man. Christ speaks in the name of all believers. Who

dares to be an enemy to those unto whom he is a Friend? or who

will contend with those whom he is an Advocate? Thus St. Paul

applies it, #Ro 8:33|. 10,11 A child of God is afraid of incurring his displeasure.

This grace usually appears most in believers when in darkness,

when other graces appear not. Those that truly fear God, obey

the voice of Christ. A sincere servant of God may for a long

time be without views of eternal happiness. What is likely to be

an effectual cure in this sad case? Let him trust in the name of

the Lord; and let him stay himself upon the promises of the

covenant, and build his hopes on them. Let him trust in Christ,

trust in that name of his, The Lord our Righteousness; stay

himself upon God as his God, in and through a Mediator.

Presuming sinners are warned not to trust in themselves. Their

own merit and sufficiency are light and heat to them.

Creature-comforts are as sparks, short-lived, and soon gone; yet

the children of this world, while they last, seek to warm

themselves by them, and walk with pride and pleasure in the

light of them. Those that make the world their comfort, and

their own righteousness their confidence, will certainly meet

with bitterness in the end. A godly man's way may be dark, but

his end shall be peace and everlasting light. A wicked man's way

may be pleasant, but his end and abode for ever will be utter

darkness.