Part 467 (1/2)

51:33. I have opened my mouth, and have spoken: buy her for yourselves without silver,

51:34. And submit your neck to the yoke, and let your soul receive discipline: for she is near at hand to be found.

51:35. Behold with your eyes how I have laboured a little, and have found much rest to myself.

51:36. Receive ye discipline as a great sum of money, and possess abundance of gold by her.

51:37. Let your soul rejoice in his mercy and you shall not be confounded in his praise.

51:38. Work your work before the time, and he will give you your reward in his time.

THE PROPHECY OF ISAIAS

This inspired writer is called by the Holy Ghost, the great prophet, (Ecclesiasticus:48.25,) from the greatness of his prophetic spirit, by which he hath foretold so long before, and in so clear a manner, the coming of Christ, the mysteries of our redemption, the calling of the Gentiles, and the glorious establishment, and perpetual flouris.h.i.+ng of the church of Christ: insomuch that he may seem to have been rather an evangelist than a prophet. His very name is not without mystery; for Isaias in Hebrew signifies the salvation of the Lord, or Jesus is the Lord. He was, according to the tradition of the Hebrews, of the blood royal of the kings of Juda: and after a most holy life, ended his days by a glorious martyrdom; being sawed in two, at the command of his wicked son in law, King Mana.s.ses, for reproving his evil ways.

Isaias Chapter 1

The prophet complains of the sins of Juda and Jerusalem, and exhorts them to a sincere conversion.

1:1. The vision of Isaias the Son of Amos, which he saw concerning Juda and Jerusalem in the days of Ozias, Joathan, Achaz, and Ezechias, kings of Juda.

1:2. Hear, O ye heavens, and give ear, O earth, for the Lord hath spoken. I have brought up children, and exalted them: but they have despised me.

1:3. The ox knoweth his owner, and the a.s.s his master's crib: but Israel hath not known me, and my people hath not understood.

1:4. Woe to the sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, a wicked seed, ungracious children: they have forsaken the Lord, they have blasphemed the Holy One of Israel, they are gone away backwards.

1:5. For what shall I strike you any more, you that increase transgression? the whole head is sick, and the whole heart is sad.

1:6. From the sole of the foot unto the top of the head, there is no soundness therein: wounds and bruises and swelling sores: they are not bound up, nor dressed, nor fomented with oil.

1:7. Your land is desolate, your cities are burnt with fire: your country strangers devour before your face, and it shall be desolate as when wasted by enemies.

1:8. And the daughter of Sion shall be left as a covert in a vineyard, and as a lodge in a garden of cuc.u.mbers, and as a city that is laid waste.

1:9. Except the Lord of hosts had left us seed, we had been as Sodom, and we should have been like to Gomorrha.

1:10. Hear the word of the Lord, ye rulers of Sodom, give ear to the law of our G.o.d, ye people of Gomorrha.

1:11. To what purpose do you offer me the mult.i.tude of your victims, saith the Lord? I am full, I desire not holocausts of rams, and fat of fatlings, and blood of calves, and lambs, and buck goats.

1:12. When you came to appear before me, who required these things at your hands, that you should walk in my courts?

1:13. Offer sacrifice no more in vain: incense is an abomination to me.

The new moons, and the sabbaths and other festivals I will not abide, your a.s.semblies are wicked.

1:14. My soul hateth your new moons, and your solemnities: they are become troublesome to me, I am weary of bearing them.