a shelter to give shade from the heat by day, and a refuge and hiding place from the storm and the rain. Sermons
I. THAT GOD TAKES A DIVINE PLEASURE IN HIS PEOPLE. We know from other Scriptures that the Lord's portion is his people (Exodus 19:5; Deuteronomy 32:9; Psalm 47:4). Here the people of God are spoken of as "the glory" of the Lord (ver. 5). There are aspects in which it must appear to us the extreme point of Divine condescension to use such terms of his redeemed ones. But there are other aspects in which we can see that they are not altogether inappropriate. God's ancient people were, and his regenerated children are, the witnesses and instances of his glorious redemption. Redeemed from political or spiritual bondage, they rejoice in a blessed freedom; raised from dark depths of misery and despair, they sing the psalms of joy and hope; purged from vanity and folly, they walk in the ascending path of heavenly wisdom. II. THAT GOD PROMISES HIS PEOPLE HIS DIVINE PROTECTION. "Upon all the glory shall be a defense." As in the old desert days the tribes of Israel were led by the pillar of cloud by day and all the night by a pillar of fire, so shall the Divine Leader guide his people in the path which is still before them (ver. 5). From the burning heat and from the pelting storm there shall be found a covert for those who put their trust in him. God's promised defense extends: 1. To his people in their various relationships; whether gathered in the family "dwelling-place," or met in their sacred "assemblies," or, we may add, whether journeying in that solitariness of spirit with which we must all. be familiar (Galatians 6:5) along the path of life; - that is, in their domestic, ecclesiastical, and individual relations. 2. To his people in the checkered experiences of their career. God will be their defense from (1) the perils peculiar to prosperity (pride, selfishness, contemptuousness, worldliness, etc.) - there shall be "a shadow in the daytime from the heat;" and (2) the dangers incident to adversity (sullenness, rebelliousness, moroseness, despair, etc.) - there shall be "a covert from storm and from rain." III. THAT THESE DIVINE PROMISES ARE CONDITIONAL ON OUR CONTINUED OBEDIENCE AND BELIEVING PRAYER. God speaks peace unto his people, "but let them not turn again to folly" (Psalm 85:8; see Ezekiel 33:13). The Divine promise proved good in this particular instance just so long and so far as the conditions which were implied were faithfully observed. God's promises are "exceeding great and precious," and we may "live thereby," if we will. But we must not fail (1) to walk in the way of his commandments, nor (2) to plead his Word in expectant prayer; if we do, we shall fail to enjoy in its fullness the defense of the "almighty arms." - C.
And there shall be a tabernacle for a shadow. The tabernacles of the Old Testament typify the abiding glory of that true tabernacle which the Lord pitched and not marl They were taken down. This abideth evermore. The dissolving process of death only developed the capacity of the Divine Redeemer to become a universal tabernacle. Isaiah saw the Divine King in all His beauty and in all His adaptedness for the world's deep needs when he declared, "And there shall be a tabernacle for a shadow in the day time from the heat." The word shadow is not always attractively employed. Job, in mournful imagery, describes the traveller going to the land of darkness, and the shadow of death. And cheering ideas are not always suggested by the proverb which affirms that coming events cast their shadows before them. But the sublime tabernacle spoken of by Isaiah is a shadow that always attracts. It never hides any sunlight which may be needful for the ripening of celestial fruits.I. This tabernacle is a COOLING SHADOW. The heats of this world will not be so oppressive to him who dwells in this tabernacle. For the soul finds adequate provisions for the wants and aspirations of its largo capacities in this substantial shadow. II. This tabernacle is a LIFE GIVING AND PRESERVING SHADOW. The summer heat of Judaea is intense. Some of the rivers are dried up, and become lanes of burning sand. Near Mount Tabor many of the soldiers of Baldwin IV died through the oppressive heat; and at this very place of Shunem, the son of the Shunamite was struck in the head by the sun's rays as he went up to his father to the reapers, and he died. A shadow to impart and preserve life as well as to give a cooling place of resort. The spirit of man dies in consequence of unforgiven transgression, but life is found in the true tabernacle. III. This tabernacle is a DELIGHTFUL SHADOW. Delightful, not only in protecting from evils, but in the direct impartation of pleasure. If there is any delightful state in this world, it is where and when the soul sits down under the shadows of the Beloved and holds sublime communion with the Infinite. IV. This shadow is an ABIDING SHADOW. Unlike that afforded by Jonah's gourd. God blasts our cherished gourds in order to lead us out of all narrow and selfish policies. Earth's protecting shadows flee away to teach us to abide more constantly and believingly beneath the one perfect and ever-abiding shadow. (W. Burrows, B. A.). People IsaiahPlaces Jerusalem, Mount Zion, ZionTopics Cover, Covering, Covert, Daytime, Day-time, Drought, Heat, Hiding, Inundation, Pavilion, Protection, Rain, Refuge, Safe, Shade, Shadow, Shelter, Storm, TabernacleOutline 1. In the extremity of evils, Christ's kingdom shall be a sanctuary.Dictionary of Bible Themes Isaiah 4:6 4829 heat Library The Perpetual Pillar of Cloud and Fire'And the Lord will create over the whole habitation of Mount Zion, and over her assemblies, a cloud and smoke by day, and the shining of a flaming fire by night.'--ISAIAH iv. 5. The pillar of cloud and fire in the Exodus was one: there are to be as many pillars as there are 'assemblies' in the new era. Is it straining the language too much to find significance in that difference? Instead of the formal unity of the Old Covenant, there is a variety which yet is a more vital unity. Is there not a hint … Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture Thirteenth Day for the Spirit of Burning A vision of Judgement and Cleansing The Evening of the Third Day in Passion-Week - on the Mount of Olives: Discoures to the Disciples Concerning the Last Things. Purity and Peace in the Present Lord Thoughts Upon the Appearance of Christ the Sun of Righteousness, or the Beatifick vision. How to Make Use of Christ as the Truth, that we May Get Our Case and Condition Cleared up to Us. A Clearing-Up Storm in the Realm Isaiah Links Isaiah 4:6 NIVIsaiah 4:6 NLT Isaiah 4:6 ESV Isaiah 4:6 NASB Isaiah 4:6 KJV Isaiah 4:6 Bible Apps Isaiah 4:6 Parallel Isaiah 4:6 Biblia Paralela Isaiah 4:6 Chinese Bible Isaiah 4:6 French Bible Isaiah 4:6 German Bible Isaiah 4:6 Commentaries Bible Hub |
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