INTRODUCTION TO ISAIAH 59
As the former chapter declares the hypocrisy and formality of professors of religion; this expresses the errors and heresies, immorality and profaneness, which shall prevail before the spiritual reign of Christ, or the latter day glory begins; which is so fully described in the next chapter. Reasons are given of God's withdrawing his presence from a professing people, which were not want of power and readiness in him, but their own sins and transgressions, Isaiah 59:1 which are enumerated, such as murder, rapine, lies, c. Isaiah 59:3 for which the judgments of God were upon them, darkness, distress, and misery, of which they were sensible, Isaiah 59:9 and confess their sins and transgressions,
Isaiah 59:12 and lament their wretched state and condition, which was displeasing to God, Isaiah 59:14 who is represented as appearing for their salvation moved to it by their want of help, and the oppression of their enemies, in which he shows his power, justice, zeal, grace, and goodness, Isaiah 59:16 the consequence of which shall be the conversion and salvation of many, owing to the efficacy of the divine Spirit, and to the spiritual coming of the Redeemer, Isaiah 59:19, and the chapter is closed with a promise of the continuance of the Spirit of God, and the Gospel of Christ in his church, unto the end of the world,