Isaiah 55:13 Instead of the thorn shall come up the fir tree, and instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle tree… I. THE CHARACTER OF THE TRANSFORMATION. "Instead of the thorn," etc. 1. Naturally, there is no difference between men as to their state. 2. Grace makes a difference. II. THE RELATION OF THIS TRANSFORMATION TO GOD. "And it shall be to the Lord for a name," etc. 1. It is supposed that this work is the work of God. And it is, and must be so; and the very quality of the effect shows its origin and Author. 2. This is to be to Him for "a name, that is a praise; and therefore you will find both words used together in another passage. They shall be to me for a name and a praise." And the latter is explanatory of the former. 3. It "shall be to the Lord," not only for "a name," but for "a sign." A sign is a manifestation, a token. Now the conversion of souls to God is a kind of moral miracle; it is a striking display on the part of God towards man. 4. Observe the duration of this. "An everlasting sign." (W. Jay.) Parallel Verses KJV: Instead of the thorn shall come up the fir tree, and instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle tree: and it shall be to the LORD for a name, for an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off. |
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