Isaiah 57:14 And shall say, Cast you up, cast you up, prepare the way, take up the stumbling block out of the way of my people. I. THE STUMBLING-BLOCKS WHICH CHRISTIANS HAVE THROWN IN THE WAY OF THE JEWS. 1. Persecution. 2. Contempt. 3. Idolatry. 4. Neglect of the law of Moses. 5. Unbelief of the prophets. II. THE STUMBLING-BLOCKS WHICH THE JEWS HAVE PUT IN THEIR OWN WAY. 1. Self-righteousness. 2. Traditions of men. 3. Covetousness. 4. A false view of God. 5. Unbelief in the Son of God. III. THE BLESSED FRUITS OF THEIR REMOVAL. These fruits are set before us in the verses which follow our text. 1. Humiliation and contrition (ver. 15). 2. Revival and healing. The promise goes on thus: "To revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones. I have seen his ways and will heal him." 3. Comfort and peace. "I will lead him also, and restore comforts unto him" (vers. 18, 19). 4. Gladness and glory. To these the prophet calls our attention in the latter chapters (Isaiah 65:18, 19; Isaiah 66:12). (E. Bickersteth.) Parallel Verses KJV: And shall say, Cast ye up, cast ye up, prepare the way, take up the stumblingblock out of the way of my people. |
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