Introduction
A.M. 3298. B.C. 706.
The foregoing chapter contained a severe reproof of the Jews, and, as some think, also of fallen Christians, for their hypocrisy in pretending to make themselves accepted with God by fasting and outward humiliation, without true repentance; while they still continued to oppress the poor, and to indulge their own passions and vices: with great promises, however, of God’s favour, on condition of their reformation. This chapter contains a more general reproof of their wickedness.
(1,) They are charged with obstructing God’s favours to themselves by their iniquities; their vain and mischievous devices; their lying and deceit; their bloodshed, violence, and injustice, Isaiah 59:1-8 .
(2,) The prophet makes, in their names, an ample confession of their sins, and deplores their wretched state in consequence of them, Isaiah 59:9-15 .
(3,) God is represented as appearing, in judgment and mercy, for the rescue of his people from this miserable condition, and that for his own name’s sake, Isaiah 59:16-19 .
(4,) The coming of the Redeemer is promised, to convert both Jews and Gentiles to himself, and to give them a new covenant and law, which shall never be abolished, Isaiah 59:20 , Isaiah 59:21 . “As the chapter,” says Bishop Lowth, “is remarkable for the beauty, strength, and variety of the images with which it abounds, so is it peculiarly distinguished by the elegance of the composition, and the exact construction of the sentences.”
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