you come to God, the great Ruler, come in the name of the Lamb, the Lamb of God. Those who
will not submit to Christ, shall be as a bird that wanders from her nest, which shall be snatched up
by the next bird of prey. Those who will not yield to the fear of God, shall be made to yield to the
fear of every thing else. He advises them to be kind to the seed of Israel. Those that expect to find
favour when in trouble themselves, must show favour to those in trouble. What is here said
concerning the throne of Hezekiah, also belongs, in a much higher sense, to the kingdom of Jesus
Christ. Though by subjection to Him we may not enjoy worldly riches or honours, but may be
exposed to poverty and contempt, we shall have peace of conscience and eternal life.
Is. 16:6-14 Those who will not be counselled, cannot be helped. More souls are ruined by pride
than by any other sin whatever. Also, the very proud are commonly very passionate. With lies many
seek to gain the gratification of pride and passion, but they shall not compass proud and angry
projects. Moab was famous for fields and vineyards; but they shall be laid waste by the invading
army. God can soon turn laughter into mourning, and joy into heaviness. In God let us always
rejoice with holy triumph; in earthly things let us always rejoice with holy trembling. The prophet
looks with concern on the desolations of such a pleasant country; it causes inward grief. The false
gods of Moab are unable to help; and the God of Israel, the only true God, can and will make good
what he has spoken. Let Moab know her ruin is very near, and prepare. The most awful declarations
of Divine wrath, discover the way of escape to those who take warning. There is no escape, but by
submission to the Son of David, and devoting ourselves to him. And, at length, when the appointed
time comes, all the glory, prosperity, and multitude of the wicked shall perish.
Chapter 17
Syria and Israel threatened. (Is. 17:1-11) The woe of Israel's enemies. (Is. 17:12-14)Is. 17:1-11 Sin desolates cities. It is strange that great conquerors should take pride in being
enemies to mankind; but it is better that flocks should lie down there, than that they should harbour
any in open rebellion against God and holiness. The strong holds of Israel, the kingdom of the ten
tribes, will be brought to ruin. Those who are partakers in sin, are justly made partakers in ruin.
The people had, by sins, made themselves ripe for ruin; and their glory was as quickly cut down
and taken away by the enemy, as the corn is out of the field by the husbandman. Mercy is reserved
in the midst of judgment, for a remnant. But very few shall be marked to be saved. Only here and
there one was left behind. But they shall be a remnant made holy. The few that are saved were
awakened to return to God. They shall acknowledge his hand in all events; they shall give him the
glory due to his name. To bring us to this, is the design of his providence, as he is our Maker; and
the work of his grace, as he is the Holy One of Israel. They shall look off from their idols, the
creatures of their own fancy. We have reason to account those afflictions happy, which part between
us and our sins. The God of our salvation is the Rock of our strength; and our forgetfulness and
unmindfulness of him are at the bottom of all sin. The pleasant plants, and shoots from a foreign
soil, are expressions for strange and idolatrous worship, and the vile practices connected therewith.