Is. 65:8-10 In the bunch of unripe grapes, at present of no value, the new wine is contained.
The Jews have been kept a distinct people, that all may witness the fulfilment of ancient prophecies
and promises. God's chosen, the spiritual seed of praying Jacob, shall inherit his mountains of bliss
and joy, and be carried safe to them through the vale of tears. All things are for the display of God's
glory in the redemption of sinners.
Is. 65:11-16 Here the different states of the godly and wicked, of the Jews who believed, and
of those who persisted in unbelief, are set against one another. They prepared a table for that troop
of deities which the heathen worship, and poured out drink-offerings to that countless number.
Their worshippers spared no cost to honour them, which should shame the worshippers of the true
God. See the malignity of sin; it is doing by choice what we know will displease God. In every age
and nation, the Lord leaves those who persist in doing evil, and despise the call of the gospel. God's
servants shall have the bread of life, and shall want nothing good for them. But those who forsake
the Lord, shall be ashamed of vain confidence in their own righteousness, and the hopes they built
thereon. Wordly people bless themselves in the abundance of this world's goods; but God's servants
bless themselves in him. He is their strength and portion. They shall honour him as the God of
truth. And it was promised that in him should all the families of the earth be blessed. They shall
think themselves happy in having him for their God, who made them forget their troubles.
Is. 65:17-25 In the grace and comfort believers have in and from Christ, we are to look for this
new heaven and new earth. The former confusions, sins and miseries of the human race, shall be
no more remembered or renewed. The approaching happy state of the church is described under a
variety of images. He shall be thought to die in his youth, and for his sins, who only lives to the
age of a hundred years. The event alone can determine what is meant; but it is plain that Christianity,
if universal, would so do away violence and evil, as greatly to lengthen life. In those happy days,
all God's people shall enjoy the fruit of their labours. Nor will children then be the trouble of their
parents, or suffer trouble themselves. The evil dispositions of sinners shall be completely moritified;
all shall live in harmony. Thus the church on earth shall be full of happiness, like heaven. This
prophecy assures the servants of Christ, that the time approaches, wherein they shall be blessed
with the undisturbed enjoyment of all that is needful for their happiness. As workers together with
God, let us attend his ordinances, and obey his commands.
Chapter 66
God looks at the heart, and vengeance is threatened for guilt. (Is. 66:1-4) The increase of the
church, when Jew and Gentile shall be gathered to the Redeemer. (Is. 66:5-14) Every enemy of the
church shall be destroyed, and the final ruin of ungodly men shall be seen. (Is. 66:15-24)
Is. 66:1-4 The Jews gloried much in their temple. But what satisfaction can the Eternal Mind
take in a house made with men's hands? God has a heaven and an earth of his own making, and
temples of man's making; but he overlooks them, that he may look with favour to him who is poor