Isaiah 40:5 And the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together: for the mouth of the LORD has spoken it. The august manifestation promised. I. AS TO ITS NATURE. 1. It is the King Messiah in person. (1) The historical allusion is to the Shechinah. (2) But prophetically it is applied to Christ. Jewish expositors apply it to Messiah. It follows, then, that — 2. The Shechinah was a type of Christ. (1) It was an undoubted symbol of Divinity. It was the medium in which it pleased God to reveal Himself in ancient times. The complement of such a symbol must needs be a Divine person. The type cannot be grander than the antitype. (2) It was a standing miracle. In it vapour and fire were miraculously supported in union. It is therefore called the "support of cloud and fire." "Pillar" is an unfortunate translation of the Hebrew. A luminous canopy extending over London in its whole extent could scarcely be called a pillar. But the nation of Israel, whether in encampment or on march, could scarcely occupy less space. This miracle would set forth the wonderful union of the Godhead and manhood in the person of Christ. (3) But further, on more nearly considering the Shechinah, it was found to enshrine a beatified human form. This is distinguished as the "similitude of Jehovah" (Exodus 24:10, 11; Numbers 12:8 ; Isaiah 6:1-5; Ezekiel 1:26). This very thing is seen in the holy mount, only that the true humanity of Jesus transfigured is itself the similitude. Behold, then, the "Image of the Invisible God"; the "brightness of His glory and the express image of His person."(4) In this character Messiah will come when in full form He appears as the King (Daniel 7:13; Matthew 24:30; Matthew 26:64; Acts 1:11; Revelation 1:7). 3. Meanwhile Christ reveals Himself in His Spirit. He displays — (1) The glory of His wisdom. (2) The glory of His power. (3) The glory of mercy, justice, and holiness in His method of pardoning and saving sinners. II. AS TO ITS EXTENT. "All flesh shall see it together." 1. This term includes the Jew. The day is coming when "all Israel shall be saved" — when the nation shall become Christian. 2. It also comprehends the Gentile. (1) Presage of the calling of the Gentiles was given when the Magi Worshipped at Bethlehem. (2) Further presage was given when Jesus, though "sent to the lost sheep of the house of Israel," nevertheless opened His ministry in "Galilee of the Gentiles" (Matthew 4:12-16). (3) It was also presaged in incidents of His ministry. The healing of the centurion's servant. The preaching to the Samaritans (John 4:39, 42). The healing of the Canaanite's daughter (Matthew 15:11-28). 3. The grand fulfilment is future. (1) As yet "all flesh" have not seen the glory of the Lord. Certainly all flesh have not seen it "together."(2) But this shall be. (3) Distinctions of Jew and Gentile will merge in the universal blaze of the glory of Christ. III. AS TO ITS CERTAINTY. "The mouth of the Lord hath spoken it." 1. The Lord can do it. 2. He will do it. (1) His honour is pledged. (3) His existence is pledged. (3) "He cannot deny Himself." "The Scripture cannot be broken." 3. Are we prepared to meet Christ? (J. A. Macdonald, M. A.) Parallel Verses KJV: And the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it. |
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