Isaiah 42
SIBIsaiah 42:1-4
With wonder and love, contemplate and believe on Jesus Christ, my eternal Son, whom I have appointed my Servant, as Mediator for the salvation of sinful men; whom I will assist in his work, and furnish with all gifts and graces without measure, that, in consequence of his finishing the undertaking, he may effectually spread the gospel tidings of his redemption among the Gentiles, and render them his peculiar people. Not with carnal contention or pompous ostentation, but in a meek, humble, and peaceful, manner, shall he make his personal appearance and erect his kingdom on earth. He shall not discourage the broken-hearted, nor cast off such as have but very weak grace, but shall encourage, strengthen, and deal kindly with them; and, while he renders his word effectual, he shall judge every person uprightly and impartially. No difficulty shall in the least discourage him, nor hinder his finishing his purchase, or his spreading the gospel of men’s salvation, erecting his spiritual kingdom among them, and subduing the opposers thereof. And all nations, particularly those along the coast of the Mediterranean, and in the islands, shall readily embrace his truths, and become his obedient subjects.—5—9. I, the eternal Jehovah and almighty Creator, have called him to his work, for the manifestation of my righteousness and faithfulness, and will conduct, assist, and preserve, him in it. I set him forth as the Mediator, Surety, and Administrator, of the covenant of grace to men, that he may endue with saving knowledge, and may conduct to everlasting happiness, poor ignorant sinners of mankind, and deliver them from their spiritual thraldom to Satan and their lusts.—As I am Being itself, and do give being to every creature, and fulfil every promise, I will, by him, through the gospel, abolish idolatry out of the world. I have already fulfilled multitudes of my promises, and now give you new promises of release from Babylon, and of redemption from sin, that, when they are accomplished, you may believe that I am the only true God.—13—17. After long forbearing to take vengeance, I will, in the most sudden and furious manner, destroy the Chaldeans, and other enemies of my church, and remove every hindrance of my glory and my people’s salvation, and will enlighten, renew, and direct, them as their need requires
Isaiah 42:18-20
Attend, ye careless, ignorant, and obstinate, sinners: for none are so blind and obstinate as you my professed people, who reckon yourselves the only enlightened and righteous persons. Notwithstanding all my revelations given to you, and the wonderful works which I have wrought for you, ye never duly consider any. Notwithstanding all your pretenses to hearken, ye never regard what is said
Isaiah 42:21
While I, in the honourable fulfilment of my promises, have continued my favours to you, or will magnify my word in accomplishing my threatenings upon you, Jesus shall, by his finished righteousness, satisfy divine justice, and restore with advantage, to the holy law whatever honour it had lost by men’s sin.—22. For the obstinate disobedience of most of you, ye shall be rendered inexpressibly miserable by the Romans and others, and yet shall be so stupified as never to search out, or repent of, the sinful causes of your trouble
REFLECTIONS UPON CHAP. XLII.—Infinite is the excellency of Jesus Christ! How dear to his Father, and useful to men! How glorious the nature and end of his mediation! And with tenderness, fidelity, courage, and success, he executes it. Grand and irreversible is his commission; and his character is answerable to our infinite needs. What ground of gladness is this to sinners, the wildest Arabs and most distant islanders not excepted! And infinitely offensive to JEHOVAN, and ruinous to men, must be the rejection of him. By the most fearful shaking of nations does Jesus often introduce his kindest favours. And with earnestness, power, and grace, he calls and converts sinners to himself. But alas, how dreadful it is to have the god of this world blinding our minds and hardening our hearts, that the light of the gospel may not shine into them, nor the love of it captivate them to the obedience of faith! And fearful will be the issue, when they, who have the best means of grace, have them least blessed, and profit the least by them. 3