Isaiah 64:1 - Exposition

Oh that thou wouldest rend the heavens! God "dwells in the thick darkness'' ( 2 Chronicles 6:1 ). "Thick clouds are a covering to him" as he "walketh in the circuit of heaven" ( Job 22:14 ). The Church would have the covering "rent," and God show himself openly, both to his people and to their enemies. That thou wouldest come down! God" came down" ou Sinai in the sight of all the people ( Exodus 19:11 , Exodus 19:20 ). David saw him in vision "bow the heavens and come down ; and there was darkness under his feet" ( Psalms 18:9 ). It is such an "epiphany" which the Church now desires—a revelation of God in all his glory, in his might as against "the nations" ( Isaiah 64:2 ), in his mercifulness as towards themselves. That the mountains might flow down ; or, quake. When God descended on Sinai, "the whole mount quaked greatly" ( Exodus 19:18 ). When he appeared to David, "the earth shook and trembled; the foundations also of the hills moved and were shaken" ( Psalms 18:7 ). When he was seen of Elijah, "a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the Lord; and after the wind was an earthquake" ( 1 Kings 19:11 ). Micah saw the Lord "coming forth out of his place," and "the mountains were molten under him, and the valleys cleft" ( Micah 1:3 , Micah 1:4 ). The mountains represent that which is most firm and solid and strong upon the face of the earth. If even they "melt and flow and tremble" at the presence of God, what might must his be! And who may abide him?