Isaiah 26:20,21 - Hawker's Poor Man's Commentary

Bible Comments

Oh! what blessedness is contained in these words! and what a blessedness have thousands now in glory, found in them, when upon earth! If I mistake not, here are all the persons of the Godhead inviting the children of Christ; yea, taking them by the hand, to come into God's pavilion; and as the Lord once said unto Noah, Come thou and all thine house into the ark; so he saith now to all who by faith, like Noah, prepare an ark, in Jesus, to the saving of their house. And he that takes by the hand, and leads them; the same almighty hand shuts them in. See Genesis 7:1-16; Hebrews 11:7. But what are these chambers, which are here spoken of, and which the Lord calls the Church's chambers? Hath the Lord indeed built for them some secret enclosures, into which the righteous may run and be safe in times of public or private calamity, when the Lord's judgments are in the earth? Oh! no; in the event of common providences, God saith, I will draw forth my sword out of his sheath, and will cut off from thee the righteous and the wicked; Ezekiel 21:3. In things of nature, Solomon remarks, All things come alike to all; Ecclesiastes 9:2; that is, the fever, or the sword, will, if commissioned by the Lord, destroy all. But the feelings, and supports from the Lord, even in those exercises, will still mark the godly from the sinner. But what then are these chambers into which the Lord brings his people? Surely the chambers of his covenant of redemption, in which are found all the attributes and perfections of God the Father; all the fulness of right and interest in the person, blood, righteousness, and grace of God the Son as Mediator; and all the precious comforts and influences of God the Holy Ghost. All the chambers of his love, promises, grace, and mercy. Here they find repose and shelter from all evil; and, Noah-like, ride out the storm in the ark, Christ Jesus; while, like the deluge, the indignation of God's wrath against sin is poured down upon the Christless and the ungodly. Oh! for grace to enter into the chambers; and to see the Lord's hand both shutting our souls in, and every enemy out by which danger might be introduced. Precious Jesus! may it be my portion, in thee to have peace, while in the world there is nothing but tribulation! John 16:33.

Isaiah 26:20-21

20 Come, my people, enter thou into thy chambers, and shut thy doors about thee: hide thyself as it were for a little moment, until the indignation be overpast.

21 For, behold, the LORD cometh out of his place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity: the earth also shall disclose her blood,f and shall no more cover her slain.