And the earth, that he may contend in judgment with his people." Psa. l. 3, 4.

By the same bold figure, Micah calls upon the mountains, that is, the whole country of Judea, to attend to him, chap. vi. 1, ii. - "Arise, plead thou before the mountains, And let the hills hear thy voice.

Hear, O ye mountains, the controversy of JEHOVAH; And ye, O ye strong foundations of the earth: For JEHOVAH hath a controversy with his people, And he will plead his cause against Israel." With the like invocation, Moses introduces his sublime song, the design of which was the same as that of this prophecy, "to testify as a witness, against the Israelites," for their disobedience, Deut. xxxi. xxi. - "Give ear, O ye heavens, and I will speak; And let the earth hear the words of my mouth." Deut. xxxii. 1.

This, in the simple yet strong oratorical style of Moses, is, "I call heaven and earth to witness against thee this day; life and death have I set before thee; the blessing and the curse: choose now life, that thou mayest live, thou and thy seed." Deut. xxx. 19. The poetical style, by an apostrophe, sets the personification in a much stronger light.

Hath spoken "That speaketh"] I render it in the present time, pointing it rbd dober. There seems to be an impropriety in demanding attention to a speech already delivered. But the present reading may stand, as the prophet may be here understood to declare to the people what the Lord had first spoken to him.

I have nourished] The Septuagint have egennhsa, "I have begotten." Instead of ytldg giddalti, they read ytdly yaladti; the word little differing from the other, and perhaps more proper; which the Chaldee likewise seems to favour; "vocavi eos fflios." See Exod. iv. 22; Jer. xxxi. 9.

Matthew Henry Commentary

Is. 1:1-9 Isaiah signifies, "The salvation of the Lord;" a very suitable name for this prophet, who prophesies so much of Jesus the Saviour, and his salvation. God's professing people did not know of consider that they owed their lives and comforts to God's fatherly car and kindness. How many are very careless in the affairs of their souls Not considering what we do know in religion, does us as much harm, a ignorance of what we should know. The wickedness was universal. Here in a comparison taken from a sick and diseased body. The distempe threatens to be mortal. From the sole of the foot even to the head from the meanest peasant to the greatest peer, there is no soundness no good principle, no religion, for that is the health of the soul Nothing but guilt and corruption; the sad effects of Adam's fall. Thi passage declares the total depravity of human nature. While sin remain unrepented, nothing is done toward healing these wounds, and preventin fatal effects. Jerusalem was exposed and unprotected, like the huts of sheds built up to guard ripening fruits. These are still to be seen in the East, where fruits form a large part of the summer food of the people. But the Lord had a small remnant of pious servants a Jerusalem. It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed. The evil nature is in every one of us; only Jesus and his sanctifyin Spirit can restore us to spiritual health.

Is. 1:10-15 Judea was desolate, and their cities burned. This awakene them to bring sacrifices and offerings, as if they would bribe God to remove the punishment, and give them leave to go on in their sin. Man who will readily part with their sacrifices, will not be persuaded to part with their sins. They relied on the mere form as a servic deserving a reward. The most costly devotions of wicked people, withou thorough reformation of heart and life, cannot be acceptable to God. He not only did not accept them, but he abhorred them. All this shows tha sin is very hateful to God. If we allow ourselves in secret sin, or forbidden indulgences; if we reject the salvation of Christ, our very prayers will become abomination.

Is. 1:16-20 Not only feel sorrow for the sin committed, but break of the practice. We must be doing, not stand idle. We must be doing the good the Lord our God requires. It is plain that the sacrifices of the law could not atone, even for outward national crimes. But, blessed be God, there is a Fountain opened, in which sinners of every age and ran may be cleansed. Though our sins have been as scarlet and crimson, deep dye, a double dye, first in the wool of original corruption, an afterwards in the many threads of actual transgression; though we have often dipped into sin, by many backslidings; yet pardoning mercy wil take out the stain, Ps. 51:7. They should have all the happiness an comfort they could desire. Life and death, good and evil, are se before us. O Lord, incline all of us to live to thy glory.

Is. 1:21-31 Neither holy cities nor royal ones are faithful to their trust, if religion does not dwell in them. Dross may shine like silver and the wine that is mixed with water may still have the colour of wine. Those have a great deal to answer for, who do not help the oppressed, but oppress them. Men may do much by outward restraints; but only God works effectually by the influences of his Spirit, as a Spiri of Judgment. Sin is the worst captivity, the worst slavery. The redemption of the spiritual Zion, by the righteousness and death of Christ, and by his powerful grace, most fully accord with what is her meant. Utter ruin is threatened. The Jews should become as a tree when blasted by heat; as a garden without water, which in those ho countries would soon be burned up. Thus shall they be that trust in idols, or in an arm of flesh. Even the strong man shall be as tow; no only soon broken, and pulled to pieces, but easily catching fire. When the sinner has made himself as tow and stubble, and God makes himsel as a consuming fire, what can prevent the utter ruin of the sinner __________________________________________________________________

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