Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
Isaiah Ch.52 / 66 Ch.s
ISA:52
* The welcome news of Christ's kingdom. (1-12) The humiliation
of the Messiah. (13-15)
#1-12 The gospel proclaims liberty to those bound with fears.
Let those weary and heavy laden under the burden of sin, find
relief in Christ, shake themselves from the dust of their doubts
and fears, and loose themselves from those bands. The price paid
by the Redeemer for our salvation, was not silver or gold, or
corruptible things, but his own precious blood. Considering the
freeness of this salvation, and how hurtful to temporal comfort
sins are, we shall more value the redemption which is in Christ.
Do we seek victory over every sin, recollecting that the glory
of God requires holiness in every follower of Christ? The good
news is, that the Lord Jesus reigns. Christ himself brought
these tidings first. His ministers proclaim these good tidings:
keeping themselves clean from the pollutions of the world, they
are beautiful to those to whom they are sent. Zion's watchmen
could scarcely discern any thing of God's favour through the
dark cloud of their afflictions; but now the cloud is scattered,
they shall plainly see the performance. Zion's waste places
shall then rejoice; all the world will have the benefit. This is
applied to our salvation by Christ. Babylon is no place for
Israelites. And it is a call to all in the bondage of sin and
Satan, to use the liberty Christ has proclaimed. They were to go
with diligent haste, not to lose time nor linger; but they were
not to go with distrustful haste. Those in the way of duty, are
under God's special protection; and he that believes this, will
not hasten for fear.
#13-15 Here begins that wonderful, minute, and faithful
description of the office, character, and glory of the Messiah,
which has struck conviction to many of the most hardened
unbelievers. Christ is Wisdom itself; in the work of our
redemption there appeared the wisdom of God in a mystery. Those
that saw him, said, Surely never man looked so miserable: never
was sorrow like unto his sorrow. But God highly exalted him.
That shall be discovered by the gospel of Christ, which could
never be told in any other way. And Christ having once shed his
blood for sinners, its power still continues. May all opposers
see the wisdom of ceasing from their opposition, and be made
partakers of the blood of sprinkling, and the baptism of the
Holy Ghost; obeying him, and praising his salvation.