he rejection of the Jews. (1-3) The sufferings and exaltation
of the Messiah. (4-9) Consolation to the believer, and warning
to the unbeliever. (10,11)
Verses 1-3: Those who have professed to be people of God, and seem to
be dealt severely with, are apt to complain, as if God had been
hard with them. Here is an answer for such murmurings; God never
deprived any of their advantages, except for their sins. The
Jews were sent into Babylon for their idolatry, a sin which
broke the covenant; and they were at last rejected for
crucifying the Lord of glory. God called on them to leave their
sins, and prevent their own ruin. Last of all, the Son came to
his own, but his own received him not. When God calls men to
happiness, and they will not answer, they are justly left to be
miserable. To silence doubts concerning his power, proofs of it
are given. The wonders which attended his sufferings and death,
proclaimed that he was the Son of God, (Mt 27:54).
Verses 4-9: As Jesus was God and man in one person, we find him
sometimes speaking, or spoken of, as the Lord God; at other
times, as man and the servant of Jehovah. He was to declare the
truths which comfort the broken, contrite heart, those weary of
sin, harassed with afflictions. And as the Holy Spirit was upon
him, that he might speak as never man spake; so the same Divine
influence daily wakened him to pray, to preach the gospel, and
to receive and deliver the whole will of the Father. The Father
justified the Son when he accepted the satisfaction he made for
the sin of man. Christ speaks in the name of all believers. Who
dares to be an enemy to those unto whom he is a Friend? or who
will contend with those whom he is an Advocate? Thus St. Paul
applies it, (Ro 8:33).
Verse 10,11: A child of God is afraid of incurring his displeasure.
This grace usually appears most in believers when in darkness,
when other graces appear not. Those that truly fear God, obey
the voice of Christ. A sincere servant of God may for a long
time be without views of eternal happiness. What is likely to be
an effectual cure in this sad case? Let him trust in the name of
the Lord; and let him stay himself upon the promises of the
covenant, and build his hopes on them. Let him trust in Christ,
trust in that name of his, The Lord our Righteousness; stay
himself upon God as his God, in and through a Mediator.
Presuming sinners are warned not to trust in themselves. Their
own merit and sufficiency are light and heat to them.
Creature-comforts are as sparks, short-lived, and soon gone; yet
the children of this world, while they last, seek to warm
themselves by them, and walk with pride and pleasure in the
light of them. Those that make the world their comfort, and
their own righteousness their confidence, will certainly meet
with bitterness in the end. A godly man's way may be dark, but
his end shall be peace and everlasting light. A wicked man's way
may be pleasant, but his end and abode for ever will be utter
darkness.
he rejection of the Jews. (1-3) The sufferings and exaltation
of the Messiah. (4-9) Consolation to the believer, and warning
to the unbeliever. (10,11)