Isaiah 26

Notes

Ver. 1, 2. As God fortified and protected Jerusalem from Sennacherib's army, and by their destruction gave his people access to celebrate their solemn feasts, so shall he firmly found and fortify his gospel church, that no power of hell or earth shall ever prevail against her; and multitudes of persons, accepting Christ, sincere and steady in their profession, and holy in their conversation, shall be added as her members. 5, 6. Not only Nineveh, Babylon, and Rome, but heathenism, Mahometanism, and Popery, shall be extirpated, and the gospel planted instead thereof, even by weak instruments. 7. God makes the way of his people plain and clear, and he directs, judges, and approves their conduct. 8, 9. Lord, even under thy heavy chastisements, we have patiently served thee and waited for deliverance, and have earnestly desired, meditated on, and comforted ourselves in thy grace, power, and faithfulness, and the former manifestations thereof. 9-11. Adversity is an ordinary mean of stirring up men to consideration and necessary duties; but whether thou prosper or punish obstinate sinners, they blind and harden themselves under both mercies and judgments. No ordinances, patterns, nor providences can move them to duty: but they shall at length feel thy judgments, and be filled with shame for their spiteful behaviour towards thy people. 12-14. Thou who hast afflicted us, wilt render us happy and prosperous, even as thou hast already vouchsafed great mercies and deliverances to us. Many heathen powers have tyrannized over us; but by thy favour and help we will own thee alone for our God, trust in thee for and give thee the praise of all our deliverances. Thy providence hath effectually and irrecoverably destroyed all our oppressors. 15-18. Both the Jewish nation and the Christian church have been exceedingly enlarged and extended; but notwithstanding our prayers in trouble, and painful attempts, all has been hitherto useless: the wicked still continue numerous and powerful. 19. The Jewish nation, seemingly dead under the Assyrian ravages, the Chaldean captivity, and present dispersion, shall again revive and flourish. The gospel church shall be restored, after her decays, by the influence of a preached gospel: and at the last day every believer, through union to Jesus Christ, shall be raised to everlasting life. 20, 21. But as terrible troubles must come for the punishment of the wicked and the manifestation of their wickedness, it is necessary that every saint, by faith, repentance, and prayer, flee to God for protection, lay hold on his promises, and depend on his perfections and providences, till that time of fearful calamities be over.

Ver. 1. A strong city. The church is the city of God, Ps. 48. 1: He. 12. 22, including the idea of compactness, Ps. 122. 3, or close fellowship and mutual dependence—rights of citizenship, Ep. 2. 19—riches of commerce—thrones of judgment, and walls of defence. C.

Ver. 2. The gates. The gate of doctrine in principle, precept, and promise—and the gate of baptism into the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, Mat. 28. 19, 20.—Keepeth the truth. There is no rational characteristic of the true church but keeping the truth as it is in Jesus, in profession of doctrine and power of godliness, Ja. 1. 18. C.

Ver. 7. More literally, 'the way for the just is smoothnesses' (made even); 'smooth the highway of the just thou orderest.' C.

Ver. 9. In the night. During the dark period of national calamity. See Ps. 30. 5. C.

Ver. 10. Will not behold the majesty of the Lord. The Jews could see no majesty in Jesus, mainly because he did not assume the forms of human pride, but came 'meek and lowly.' They would not acknowledge his power even when he cast out devils; they would not believe his witness, even when he rose from the dead. C.

Ver. 12. God works all his people's working, (1) by subduing their enmity, Ro. 8. 7; (2) by giving them the will, Phi. 2. 13; (3) by furnishing the power, He. 13. 21; and (4) by prospering their undertakings, Ge. 39. 3. C.

Ver. 15. Thou hast removed [the nation], &c. This is not a prophecy of the removal of Israel from Canaan, nor their scattering among all nations, but of the final enlargement of the kingdom of the Christ, when 'the heathen shall be his inheritance, and the ends of the earth his possession.' C.

Ver. 19. Messiah, who was originally revealed as the seed of the woman, came in a body prepared, that he might do the will of his Father in the suffering of death: and so be crowned with glory and honour in the victory of the resurrection. Messiah must here be the speaker, as the prediction is true of him and not of another. Which reference of the passage to him is still farther confirmed by ver. 20, in which the speaker addresses Israel as their king, saying, 'Come, my people.' C.

Reflections.—Truly blessed are they who have fled to Jesus Christ for refuge, and are encompassed by his promises and infinite perfections! No Christian character can be formed without a steadfast and exact adherence to God's truths. Truly righteous, upright, and humble saints are an inestimable blessing to nations and churches. Steady faith in God's perfections and promises produces much solid peace and composure of mind. If we trust in him firmly, we shall find ground to praise him constantly. And if we by faith put our strong enemies in his hand, he will easily bring them down. If with ardent desires we wait for him in every ordinance and providence, we shall quickly find him to our comfort. And the earlier and more earnest our supplications are, they will be the more graciously answered. Alas! how hardened are many hearts, that neither mercies can melt nor judgment awaken them! But it is good for us to draw near to God and renounce all his rivals! Whatever discouraging providences he may exercise us with for a while, confusion and ruin will overwhelm all his and our enemies at last. Let us therefore be sober, and hope to the end for his salvation. He quickens dead souls, revives dead churches, and will at last quicken our dead bodies, and make them like unto his glorious body. Under manifold troubles and injuries let us possess our souls in patience. The Judge stands at the door. Our afflictions, however sharp, will soon be over; and our protection in them, under the shadow of the Almighty, is both safe and sweet. But what awful discoveries will God make of men's sins when he rises up to punish them!