ii. 1-5. _The word that Isaiah the son of Amoz saw, &c._
1. The marvellous power of the ancient prophets in giving embodiment
and figure to the Word of God. It was a "word" that Isaiah saw; not
that he heard, but that shaped itself before his vision, and made him
glad, as if a new star had arisen to guide him. 2. Isaiah speaks with
magnificent confidence as to the summing up of earthly dispensations.
Casting his eye over all the uproar and tumults of intervening time,
he sees a heavenly repose settling on the engagements and destinies
of mankind. Herein is the peculiar power of the old prophets, viz.,
that they did not confine their attention within a brief and
inadequate period, but projected their minds over historic spaces
within which, so to speak, God had room to disclose somewhat of the
proportions and significance of His plans. The whole year can never
be judged from any one season. The prophets seemed to see things in
their _wholeness,_ and this made them calm in the midst of transitory
confusion and distress. 3. The house of the Lord is to be exalted
above all rivalry. The strength of the hills is to be a pedestal for
the sanctuary. At the last right shall be uppermost, and holiness
supreme. In the "last days" the house of the Lord shall exert a
universal fascination; nation shall challenge nation to go up in holy
and triumphant procession to the heights of Zion; and the voice of
other allurements shall be lost in the infinite charm of the
invitation. 4. Nor is this to be the indulgence of a mere sentiment;
it will be the expression of a desire to be spiritually right, and
thus to be spiritually secure: "He will teach us of His ways, and we
will walk in His paths." Lawless sentiment is to have no place in
spiritual discipline. We are not called to a high revel, but to a
pure and tender obedience to an unchangeable law. 5. The house of the
Lord is to be a centre of judgment and rebuke towards people who are
living in impiety and political corruption. The consequence of this
judgment, if properly received, will be the establishment and
perpetuation of righteous peace. When the nations are right with God,
they will be right with each other. Merely negative peace may be
disturbed, but the peace which comes by righteousness will be its own
guarantee of completeness and continuity. 6. All these blissful
anticipations should constrain towards present obedience, and be
fruitful of present joy. So the prophet thought when he exclaimed, O
house of Jacob, come ye, &c. Those who have great prospects should
even now show themselves to be the heirs of glory. Christian joy is
not all future. Even now, though we have to complain of so much of
cloud and storm, there is a light that is distinctively divine, and
under its benign rays we ought to walk until the fuller glory is
revealed.--_Joseph Parker, D.D._