‏ Isaiah 59

* 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. 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. 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.