In vision Isaiah beheld the Lord Jesus in the latter days destroying all the foes of his people, and as he saw him returning in triumph from the field of battle, he exclaimed—Isaiah 63.
Isa_63:1-19
Upon this very wonderful chapter Dr. Hawker has the following spiritual reflections:—”Who is this that cometh up with salvation, but the Lord mighty to save? He is one with Jehovah in the divine nature, and no less one with us in the human, bone of our bone, and flesh of our flesh: Surely, Lord, thine own arm brought salvation, and of the people there was none with thee; though in all things it behoved thee to be made like unto thy brethren, yet in redemption-work thou troddest the winepress of the wrath of God alone. And amidst all our rebellions and forgetfulness of thee, never didst thou forget us, or forego our interests. In all our afflictions thou wast afflicted. Thy love and thy pity allowed of no abatement, for thou wast always Jesus; ‘the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever,’ Oh! then, Lord! let not the waywardness of thy children thwart the gracious designs of thy love; but remember that we are but dust, and let thy strength and thy zeal, and the sounding of thy bowels, never be restrained. We throw ourselves upon covenant relationship, and beseech of thee, our God, to remember that most blessed promise, in which thou hast said, ‘I will not turn away from them to do them good;’ and, ‘I will put my fear in their hearts, that they shall not depart from me.’“
Evening
“
I have heard thy prayer, I have seen thy tears.”
2Ki_20:1-19
; 2Ki_20:21
2Ki_20:1
Well was it for Hezekiah to have so faithful a chaplain in his dying moments. Too often when men are near to death, their friends feel so much cruel delicacy, that they dare not tell them the truth as to their state.
2Ki_20:2-3
He longed for a little more time below, he had begun to love the world too well, and moreover, he was too anxious about an heir to the throne.
2Ki_20:7
A poultice must be used. Although the Lord could heal us without medicine and surgery, he does not choose to do so.
2Ki_20:10-11
There is no use in enquiring how this was done; it is another instance of the omnipotence of God.
2Ki_20:12-13
At first sight this looks harmless enough, but the Lord saw that the king was proud, delighted in the flatteries of heathen strangers, and perhaps hoped to strengthen himself by alliance with their rising kingdom. God is jealous of those he loves, and is severe with them in proportion to his love to them. This sad fault of good Hezekiah led a devout writer to cry, “O God! if thou do not keep us as well in our sunshine as in our storm, we are sure to perish: as in all time of our tribulation, so in all time of our wealth, good Lord, deliver us!”
2Ki_20:19
The rod was heavy, but Hezekiah kissed it like a true-born child of God. Lord, teach us the like patience.
