(7) To destroy the poor with lying words . . .—The words, though perfectly generic in their form, are probably not without an implied reference to those who had thus acted towards Isaiah himself, making even him an “offender for a word” (Isaiah 29:21). read more
Isaiah 32:20 The text of Coleridge's Lay Sermon (1817), which he describes as 'easy to be remembered from its briefness, likely to be remembered from its beauty'. References. XXXII. 20. W. J. Hocking, ibid. vol. xxxvii. 1890, p. 396. J. Percival, Sermons at Rugby, p. 85. F. E. Paget, Sermons on Duties of Daily Life, p. 311; see also Plain Preaching to Poor People (6th Series), p. 121. read more
CHAPTER XVA MAN: CHARACTER AND THE CAPACITY TO DISCRIMINATE CHARACTERABOUT 720 B.C.Isaiah 32:1-8THE Assyrians being thus disposed of, Isaiah turns to a prospect, on which we have scarcely heard him speak these twenty years, since Assyria appeared on the frontier of Judah-the religious future and social progress of his own people. This he paints in a small prophecy of eight verses, the first eight of chapter 32- Isaiah 32:9-20 of that chapter apparently springing from somewhat different... read more
CHAPTER 32 The Coming King and His Kingdom 1. The King and His rule (Isaiah 32:1-8 ) 2. The careless women addressed (Isaiah 32:9-12 ) 3. The judgment of the land and the city (Isaiah 32:13-14 ) 4. The hope of the future (Isaiah 32:15-20 ) The connection with the previous chapter is obvious. In Isaiah 31:4-9 the coming of the Lord for the deliverance of His people and the punishment of their enemies is predicted. “So shall the Lord of Hosts come down to fight Mount Zion and the hill... read more
32:5 The {e} vile person shall be no more called noble, nor the churl said [to be] bountiful.(e) Vice will no more be called virtue, nor virtue esteemed by power and riches. read more
JUDAH AND EGYPT These chapters make a unit since, with the exception of the opening part of chapter 28, they chiefly deal with Judah’s futile alliance with Egypt. Isaiah 28:0 Israel, or the kingdom of the ten tribes, is addressed under the name of her leading tribe “Ephraim” (Isaiah 28:1 ). Her great sin is strong drink. “The head of the fat valley” is Samaria the capital, which is soon to be overthrown by the Assyrians (Isaiah 28:2-4 ). Observe, however, the usual forecast of the end of the... read more
Prophetic Warnings Isaiah 31-33 Remember that. If on hearing that you choose to trust to Egypt, so be it; only, walk in the light, understand your position, make your choice deliberately, and abide by it. All that the Bible, a revelation from God, can do is to make distinctions, announce issues, address appeals to reason and to conscience, and there even an inspired volume ends its labour. The people imagined that Egypt was a sanctuary: the prophet said, It is so, in a very temporary and... read more
"Handfuls of Purpose" For All Gleaners "The vile person shall be no more called liberal, nor the churl said to be bountiful." Isaiah 32:5 . There is a morality of names. When charity wishes to speak well of the vile person or the churl charity loses all its charm. It is no longer charity, it is no longer charity, it is falsehood. There will come a time when a name shall stand for character. It may be right for us to speak strong words concerning our fellow-men, even such words as "the vile... read more
It would enlarge this Commentary to an extent indeed, were I to analyze the several verses here brought together, and say the half of what might be said in the paraphrase upon them. But all the blessed effects here spoken of, may be well supposed to result from the Redeemer's kingdom in the hearts of his people, when: Jesus reigns and rules there, the Lord over every passion. Reader! what I would particularly desire you to do while reading these verses, is the same conduct as I pray for grace... read more
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Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Isaiah 32:6
(6) The vile person will speak villany.—Another echo, like that of Isaiah 28:23-29, of the teaching of the Book of Proverbs. In that better day men would learn to see men as they are, and not as they pretend to be. “By their fruits ye shall know them” was to be one of the blessings of the reign of the true king (Matthew 7:20).To utter error against the Lord.—The “error” is either that of “heresy,” or of hollow profession, or of open scoffing. In either case it finds its practical outcome, like... read more