Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
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Isaiah
Book: Isaiah
Chapter: 18
Overview:
God's care for his people; and the increase of the
Church.
- This
Chapter is one of the most obscure in
Scripture, though
more of it probably was understood
By those for whose use it was
first intended, than
By us now. Swift messengers are sent
By
water to a nation marked
By Providence, and measured out,
trodden under foot.
God's people are trampled
On; but whoever
thinks to
Swallow them up, finds they are cast down, yet not
deserted, not destroyed. All the dwellers
On Earth must watch
the motions of the Divine
Providence, and wait upon the
directions of the Divine will.
God gives
Assurance to his
Prophet, and
By him to be given to his people. Zion is his
Rest
for ever, and he will look after it. He will suit to their case
the comforts and refreshments he provides for them; they will be
acceptable, because seasonable. He will reckon with his and
their enemies; and as
God's people are protected at all
Seasons
of the
Year,
So their enemies are exposed at all
Seasons. A
Tribute of praise should be brought to
God from all this. What
is offered to
God, must be offered in the way he has appointed;
and we may expect him to meet us where he records his name. Thus
shall the nations of the
Earth be convinced that
Jehovah is the
God, and
Israel is his people, and shall unite in presenting
spiritual sacrifices to his
Glory. Happy are those who take
warning
By his
Judgment On others, and hasten to join him and
his people. Whatever land or people may be intended, we are here
taught not to think that
God takes
No care of his
Church, and
has
No respect to the affairs of men, because he permits the
wicked to triumph for a season. He has
Wise reasons for
So
doing, which we cannot now understand, but which will appear at
the great
Day of his coming, when he will bring every work into
Judgment, and reward every
Man according to his
Works.