Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
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Isaiah
Book: Isaiah
Chapter: 25
Overview:
A song of praise.
(1-5) A declaration of the
Gospel blessings.
(6-8) The
Destruction of the enemies of
Christ's
Church.
(9-12)
1-5 However this might show the deliverance of the Jews out of
Captivity, it looked further, to the praises that should be
offered up to
God for
Christ's victories over our spiritual
enemies, and the comforts he has provided for all believers.
True
Faith simply credits the
Lord's
Testimony, and relies
On
his
Truth to perform his promises. As
God weakens the strong who
are proud and secure,
So he strengthens the weak that are
humble, and stay themselves upon him.
God protects his people in
all weathers. The
Lord shelters those who trust in him from the
insolence of oppressors. Their insolence is but the noise of
strangers; it is like the heat of the
Sun scorching in the
middle of the
Day; but where is it when the
Sun is set? The
Lord
ever was, and ever will be, the
Refuge of distressed believers.
Having provided them a shelter, he teaches them to flee unto it.
6-8 The kind reception of repentant sinners, is often in the
New
Testament likened to a
Feast. The guests invited are all
people,
Gentiles as
Well as Jews. There is that in the
Gospel
which strengthens and makes glad the
Heart, and is fit for those
who are under convictions of
Sin, and mourning for it. There is
a
Veil spread over all nations, for all sat in
Darkness. But
this
Veil the
Lord will destroy,
By the
Light of his
Gospel
shining in the world, and the power of his
Spirit opening men's
eyes to receive it. He will raise those to spiritual
Life who
were long dead in trespasses and sins.
Christ will himself, in
his resurrection, triumph over
Death. Grief shall be banished;
there shall be perfect and endless joy. Those that
Mourn for
Sin
shall be comforted. Those who suffer for
Christ shall have
consolations. But in the joys of
Heaven, and not short of them,
will fully be brought to pass this saying,
God shall wipe away
all tears. The
Hope of this should now do away over-sorrow, all
weeping that hinders sowing. Sometimes, in this world
God takes
away the reproach of his people from among men; however, it will
be done fully at the great
Day. Let us patiently
Bear sorrow and
shame now; both will be done away shortly.
9-12 With joy and praise will those
Entertain the glad tidings
of the
Redeemer, who looked for him; and with a triumphant song
will glorified saints enter into the joy of their
Lord. And it
is not in vain to wait for him; for the
Mercy comes at last,
with abundant recompence for the delay. The hands once stretched
out upon the
Cross, to make way for our
Salvation, will at
length be stretched forth to destroy all impenitent sinners.
Moab is here
Put for all adversaries of
God's people; they shall
all be trodden down or threshed.
God shall bring down the pride
of the enemies
By one humbling
Judgment after another. This
Destruction of
Moab is typical of
Christ's victory, and the
pulling down of
Satan's strong holds. Therefore, beloved
brethren, be ye stedfast, unmovable, always abounding in the
work of the
Lord; for your labour is not in vain in the
Lord.