Characteristics of Salvation
J. R. Macduff, D. D. Isaiah 45:22 Look to me, and be you saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else. I. It is a SIMPLE salvation-plain, clear, distinct, intelligible in its terms. It is, in this respect, unlike the false religions referred to in ver. 19, whose utterances, being involved in designed obscurity and ambiguity, are there represented as "spoken in secret, and in dark places of the earth." Such were the dubious responses which came from the Delphic oracle, the Cave at Lebadea, the Cumean Sybil, the Eleusinian Ceres, the soothsayers and necromancers of Egypt, Phoenicia, and Persia. The salvation of the Gospel is so clear and perspicuous that "he who runs may read." II. It is a FREE salvation, uncumbered and unconditional in its offers. There is no costly, protracted, elaborate preparation or probation needed. No painful penances; no rites, no lastings, no lustrations, no priestly absolutions In ver. 13, God says of Cyrus (and He says the same in a nobler sense of a Greater than the earthly liberator), "He shall let go My captives, not for price nor reward." This is not, indeed, after the manner of men, nor in accordance with that natural legality of spirit which loves to fetter itself with conditions and terms. If the prophet had bid the Syrian leper of old "do some great thing," Naaman would have cordially assented; but he could not brook the trifling expedient of dipping himself in the river Jordan. HI. It is a RIGHTEOUS salvation (vers. 19, 21). See Romans 3:26. It is a salvation which has been secured in accordance with the principles of everlasting truth and rectitude. Let us not, however, misinterpret the relation of justice to mercy, as if between these two Divine attributes there existed any antagonism, — as if they represented two conflicting principles (similar to the Magian), one of which had to be propitiated before the other could exercise its benignant will, or go forth on its benignant behests. Nay, they are in perfect harmony. Love can hold out her blissful sceptre only when standing by the throne of justice. In that glorious salvation, every attribute of the Divine nature has been magnified and made honourable. IV. It is a SURE salvation. The rites of the heathen leave their votaries in uncertainty, groping in the dark. Their feelings and experiences are well described in ver. 16. In impressive and sublime contrast with this, Jehovah avows in ver. 23, "I have sworn by Myself: the word" or "truth" (Lowth) "is gone out of My mouth in righteousness"; and in ver. 19, "I said not unto the seed of Jacob, Seek ye Me in vain"; or ver. 17, "Ye shall not be ashamed nor confounded." Truly the covenant of grace is a covenant "well ordered in all things, and sure." V. It is here further unfolded to us as the ONLY salvation (ver. 24). Bishop Lowth renders it, "Only to Jehovah belongeth salvation and power." "Neither is there salvation in any other." VI. It is an ETERNAL salvation (ver. 17). (J. R. Macduff, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else. WEB: "Look to me, and be saved, all the ends of the earth; for I am God, and there is no other.