Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
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Isaiah
Book: Isaiah
Chapter: 21
Overview:
The taking of
Babylon.
(1-10) Of the Edomites.
(11,12) Of the
Arabs.
(13-17)
1-10 Babylon was a flat country, abundantly watered. The
Destruction of
Babylon,
So often prophesied of
By Isaiah, was
typical of the
Destruction of the great foe of the New
Testament
Church, foretold in the
Revelation. To the
Poor oppressed
captives it would be welcome news; to the proud oppressors it
would be grievous. Let this check vain mirth and sensual
pleasures, that we know not in what heaviness the mirth may
End.
Here is the
Alarm given to
Babylon, when forced
By Cyrus. An
Ass
and a
Camel seem to be the symbols of the Medes and Persians.
Babylon's idols shall be
So far from protecting her, that they
shall be broken down. True believers are the
Corn of
God's
floor; hypocrites are but as
Chaff and
Straw, with which the
Wheat is now mixed, but from which it shall be separated. The
Corn of
God's floor must expect to be threshed
By Afflictions
and persecutions.
God's
Israel of old was afflicted. Even then
God owns it is his still. In all events concerning the
Church,
past, present, and to come, we must look to
God, who has power
to do any thing for his
Church, and
Grace to do every thing that
is for her good.
11,12 God's prophets and ministers are as watchmen in the
City
in a time of peace, to see that all is safe. As watchmen in the
Camp in time of
War, to warn of the motions of the enemy. After
a long sleep in
Sin and security, it is time to rise, to awake
out of sleep. We have a great
Deal of work to do, a long
Journey
to go; it is time to be stirring. After a long dark night is
there any
Hope of the
Day dawning? What tidings of the night?
What happens to-night? We must never be secure. But many make
curious inquiries of the watchmen. They would willingly have
nice questions solved, or difficult prophecies interpreted; but
they do not seek into the state of their own souls, about the
way of
Salvation, and the path of duty. The watchman answers
By
way of
Prophecy. There comes first a morning of
Light, and
peace, and opportunity; but afterward comes a night of trouble
and calamity. If there be a morning of youth and health, there
will come a night of sickness and old
Age; if a morning of
prosperity in the family, in the public, yet we must look for
changes. It is our
Wisdom to improve the present morning, in
preparation for the night that is coming after it. Inquire,
return, come. We are urged to do it quickly, for there is
No
time to trifle. Those that return and come to
God, will find
they have a great
Deal of work to do, and but little time to do
it in.
13-17 The Arabians lived in tents, and kept
Cattle. A
destroying
Army shall be brought upon them, and make them an
easy prey. We know not what straits we may be brought into
before we die. Those may know the want of necessary
Food who now
eat
Bread to the full. Neither the skill of archers, nor the
courage of mighty men, can protect from the
Judgments of God.
That is
Poor Glory, which will thus quickly come to nothing.
Thus hath the
Lord said to me; and
No Word of his shall fall to
the ground. We may be sure the Strength of
Israel will not
Lie.
Happy are those only whose riches and
Glory are out of the reach
of invaders; all other prosperity will speedily pass away.