I have reserved this sweet verse to be read by itself, as containing much mercy in the midst of judgment. Those who read it in reference only to temporal blessings, must own that God is gracious. And those who read it through the medium of spiritual blessings in Christ, may and will discover wonderful events, which may be supposed to be folded up in it, in relation to the Gentile Church. Isaiah 49:6
REFLECTIONS
READER! who, but must be struck with holy awe and reverence, that contemplates the Lord's judgments in the earth! And though from a conscious sense of being made a partaker of grace, cannot but find cause to be humbled, under a sense of sin and undeservings, and to rejoice with trembling.
It would be a blessed and sanctified use of all afflictions, judgments, and visitations, that we behold, or hear of, among nations, or families, or individuals: if, while we view the sorrows of others, we duly considered our deserts also. The Lord hath caused it, to be recorded, for the solemn admonition of his Church and people, that a fruitful land is turned into barrenness, for the wickedness of them that dwell therein. And when we see, as that we do now see, nations, like Moab, convulsed and shaken to their very centre, for the wickedness and impiety of the people; surely our British Israel hath reason to humble herself before God, lest she should see also an enemy in her habitation. It will be blessed to him that writes and to him that reads, if Moab's sorrows here threatened, lead the hearts of both in prayer to God in Christ, that our minds may be always deeply affected with the sense, of national sins, and the just apprehension of national judgments. Oh Lord! I would say with the Prophet, spare thy people, O Lord, and give not thy heritage to reproach! Oh! grant that this our British Zion may never see the Golden Candlestick of the Gospel removed out of its place: neither the going down of the sun among our Prophets: but, oh! that the Lord, with whom alone is the residue of the Spirit, would turn to the people a pure language, that they might all call upon the name of the Lord to serve him with one consent. Amen.