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.
Chapter 51
Exhortations to trust the Messiah. (Is. 51:1-3) The power of God, and the weakness of man.
(Is. 51:4-8) Christ defends his people. (Is. 51:9-16) Their afflictions and deliverances. (Is. 51:17-23)
Is. 51:1-3 It is good for those privileged by the new birth, to consider that they were shapen in
sin. This should cause low thoughts of ourselves, and high thoughts of Divine grace. It is the greatest
comfort to be made serviceable to the glory of God. The more holiness men have, and the more
good they do, the more gladness they have. Let us seriously reflect upon our guilt. To do so will
tend to keep the heart humble, and the conscience awake and tender. They make Christ more
precious to the soul, and give strength to our attempts and prayers for others.
Is. 51:4-8 The gospel of Christ shall be preached and published. How shall we escape if we
neglect it? There is no salvation without righteousness. The soul shall, as to this world, vanish like
smoke, and the body be thrown by like a worn-out garment. But those whose happiness is in Christ's
righteousness and salvation, will have the comfort of it when time and days shall be no more. Clouds
darken the sun, but do not stop its course. The believer will enjoy his portion, while revilers of
Christ are in darkness
Is. 51:9-16 The people whom Christ has redeemed with his blood, as well as by his power, will
obtain joyful deliverance from every enemy. He that designs such joy for us at last, will he not
work such deliverance in the mean time, as our cases require? In this world of changes, it is a short
step from joy to sorrow, but in that world, sorrow shall never come in view. They prayed for the
display of God's power; he answers them with consolations of his grace. Did we dread to sin against
God, we should not fear the frowns of men. Happy is the man that fears God always. And Christ's
church shall enjoy security by the power and providence of the Almighty.
Is. 51:17-23 God calls upon his people to mind the things that belong to their everlasting peace.
Jerusalem had provoked God, and was made to taste the bitter fruits. Those who should have been
her comforters, were their own tormentors. They have no patience by which to keep possesion of
their own souls, nor any confidence in God's promise, by which to keep possession of its comfort.
Thou art drunken, not as formerly, with the intoxicating cup of Babylon's idolatries, but with the
cup of affliction. Know, then, the cause of God's people may for a time seem as lost, but God will
protect it, by convincing the conscience, or confounding the projects, of those that strive against
it. The oppressors required souls to be subjected to them, that every man should believe and worship