Isaiah 44

Isaiah 44:2

God formed the Jews into rational creatures, and into a church for himself; and forms believers, and renders them members of Christ’s mystical body and gospel church

Isaiah 44:3-5

I will publish my gospel, and pour out my Spirit in an abundant manner, upon corners and persons destitute of them; that, being rooted and grounded in Christ, they may quickly grow in grace and good works, and may be determined solemnly to devote themselves to the faith, 85 93* profession, and obedience, of Christ, and the fellowship of his church. 7, 8. Which of the heathen idols can foretell, and in order accomplish, events as I have done, since the creation, or the taking of Israel into covenant with me? And why then do you fear that any of them should hinder me from fulfilling my present promises, when they have never been able hitherto to hinder the predicted events which have befallen you

Isaiah 44:21-28

Consider, my people, whom 8 11 I have chosen, called, regenerated, and will never forsake, the vanity of idols, and madness of their votaries, and the judicial blindness to which they are given up; and return to me, your Redeemer, by faith and repentance, in the view of my having graciously pardoned all your great and numerous transgressions.—And let all the inhabitants of heaven and earth, and particularly the Gentiles, praise God for the deliverance of the Jews from Babylon, and the redemption by Jesus, typified thereby. The God who hath promised is he who made and governs all things, who can easily frustrate the predictions of the Chaldean soothsayers, and blast all the political designs of their statesmen; and who takes pleasure to fulfil that which he has foretold by his prophets concerning the rebuilding of the Jewish cities and the removal of impediments out of his way; and drying up the Euphrates, that Babylon may be taken by Cyrus the Persian, whom he has appointed for releasing his people, and causing them to rebuild his temple at Jerusalem

REFLECTIONS UPON CHAP. XLIV.—Thrice happy are the people saved by the Lord, in their manifold relations to him and blessings received from him! Happy are they who are, both themselves and their seed, interested in the new covenant! Infinite is the fulness of the Holy Ghost; and liberally God bestows him upon destitute, withered, and wretched men. His influences bring them effectually to God, and render holiness, and the most solemn dedication of themselves to God, as a Saviour, Husband, and Governor, their delight! What madness is it to forsake JEHOVAH, the fountain of living waters, whose unbounded excellencies are unnumbered, and to choose or form an idol in his room! When men are given up to their own heart’s lusts they soon become sottish and diligent in sin! And unpardoned iniquities greatly interrupt our fellowship with God.—But it is pleasant to return to him, in the view of his full forgiveness and effectual redemption, and with thankful joys to contemplate what he is to us, and has done, and will do, for us! And even angels rejoice at the conversion of men.—What pleasure God takes to disgrace false teachers, and to honour his ministers of truth! Easily he can retrieve the most forlorn condition, and find proper instruments for his work. And it is an honour for the greatest of men to be his agents in doing good to his people