checked them in their sinful pursuits, so that they could not proceed without fear; this they took
amiss. But faithful ministers will not be driven from seeking to awaken sinners. God is the Holy
One of Israel, and so they shall find him. They did not like to hear of his holy commandments and
his hatred of sin; they desired that they might no more be reminded of these things. But as they
despised the word of God, their sins undermined their safety. Their state would be dashed in pieces
like a potter's vessel. Let us return from our evil ways, and settle in the way of duty; that is the way
to be saved. Would we be strengthened, it must be in quietness and in confidence, keeping peace
in our own minds, and relying upon God. They think themselves wiser than God; but the project
by which they thought to save themselves was their ruin. Only here and there one shall escape, as
a warning to others. If men will not repent, turn to God, and seek happiness in his favour and service,
their desires will but hasten their ruin. Those who make God alone their confidence, will have
comfort. God ever waits to be gracious to all that come to him by faith in Christ, and happy are
those who wait for him.
Is. 30:19-26 God's people will soon arrive at the Zion above, and then they will weep no more
for ever. Even now they would have more comfort, as well as holiness, if they were more constant
in prayer. A famine of bread is not so great a judgment as a famine of the word of God. There are
right-hand and left-hand errors; the tempter is busy courting us into by-paths. It is happy if, by the
counsels of a faithful minister or friend, or the checks of conscience, and the strivings of God the
Spirit, we are set right when doubting, and prevented from going wrong. They shall be cured of
their idolatry. To all true penitents sin becomes very hateful. This is shown daily in the conversion
of souls, by the power of Divine grace, to the fear and love of God. Abundant means of grace, with
the influences of the Holy Spirit, would be extended to places destitute of them. The effect of this
should be comfort and joy to the people of God. Light, that is, knowledge, shall increase. This is
the light which the gospel brought into the world, and which proclaims healing to the broken-hearted.
Is. 30:27-33 God curbs and restrains from doing mischief. With a word he guides his people
into the right way, but with a bridle he turns his enemies upon their own ruin. Here, in threatening
the ruin of Sennacherib's army, the prophet points at the final and everlasting destruction of all
impenitent sinners. Tophet was a valley near Jerusalem, where fires were continually burning to
destroy things that were hurtful and offensive, and there the idolatrous Jews caused their children
to pass through the fire to Moloch. This denotes the certainty of the destruction, as an awful emblem
of the place of torment in the other world. No oppressor shall escape the Divine wrath. Let sinners
then flee to Christ, seeking to be reconciled to Him, that they may be safe and happy, when
destruction from the Almighty shall sweep away all the workers of iniquity.
Chapter 31
The sin and folly of seeking help from Egypt. (Is. 31:1-5) God's care for Jerusalem. (Is. 31:6-9)