Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
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Isaiah
Book: Isaiah
Chapter: 32
Overview:
Times of peace and happiness.
(1-8) An interval of trouble,
yet comfort and blessings in the
End.
(9-20)
1-8 Christ our righteous
King, and his true disciples, are
evidently here intended. The consolations and graces of his
Spirit are as rivers of water in this dry land; and as the
overhanging
Rock affords refreshing shade and shelter to the
weary traveller in the
Desert,
So his power,
Truth, and
Love,
yield the believer the only real protection and refreshment in
the weary land through which he journeys to
Heaven.
Christ bore
the storm himself, to keep it off from us. To him let the
trembling sinner flee for
Refuge; for he alone can protect and
refresh us in every trial. See what pains sinners take in
Sin;
they labour at it, their hearts are intent upon it, and with art
they work iniquity; but this is our comfort, that they can do
No
more mischief than
God permits. Let us seek to have our hearts
more freed from selfishness. The liberal soul devises liberal
things concerning
God, and desires that He will grant
Wisdom and
prudence, the comforts of his presence, the influence of his
Spirit, and in due time the enjoyment of his
Glory.
9-20 When there was
So much provocation given to the holy
God,
bad times might be expected. Alas! how many careless ones there
are, who support self-indulgence
By shameful niggardliness! We
deserve to be deprived of the supports of
Life, when we make
them the
Food of lusts. Let such tremble and be troubled.
Blessed times shall be brought in
By the pouring out of the
Spirit from
On high; then, and not till then, there will be good
times. The present state of the Jews shall continue until a more
abundant pouring out of the
Spirit from
On high. Peace and
quietness shall be found in the way and work of
Righteousness.
True satisfaction is to be had only in true religion. And real
Holiness is real happiness now, and shall be perfect happiness,
that is, perfect
Holiness for ever. The good seed of the
Word
shall be sown in all places, and be watered
By Divine
Grace; and
laborious, patient labourers shall be sent forth into
God's
husbandry.