Isaiah 61:3 To appoint to them that mourn in Zion, to give to them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning… I. THE CHARACTER OF THOSE PERSONS WHO HAVE A PRESENT INTEREST IN THE MEDIATION OF CHRIST. Such as "mourn in Zion." They differ from others — 1. In respect of the spring or principle of their mourning. They mourn, as others do, in a natural way, for what is contrary to their natures and is considered hurtful to them. But they likewise mourn for what is most agreeable to their nature, in its present corrupt state. The corruption of their nature is itself a principal cause of their mourning, and therefore can proceed from no principle inherent in corrupt nature. It is the fruit of "the Spirit of grace and of supplication." 2. In respect of the object for whom they mourn. Self is always the reigning principle with unrenewed men. The inhabitant of Zion mourns also for himself, and while actuated by a principle of self-preservation it must be so: But he. mourns also — (1) For. his brethren.; for every fellow-creature whom he sees in misery; even for his enemies if any owl befall them. (2) For Zion, for the Church of God. (3) For Christ. They have a believing view of their own sin as laid upon Christ; therefore they consider every sin they have committed as a mortal wound given to Him. 3. In respect of the subject of their grief, or the thing for which they mourn. (1) For sin as well as for suffering. (2) For the filthiness as well as the guilt of sin. (3) For the sin of their nature as well as of their life. (4) For sins against Christ and the Gospel, as well as against God and the law. (5) For the sins of others as well as for their own. 4. In respect of the fruits and effects of their sorrow (2 Corinthians 7:10, 11). (1) Whereas the sorrow of the world excites men to take methods of their own devising to still the clamours of conscience, the mourning here intended leads to that remedy which God Himself hath provided. (2) Whereas the sorrow of the world worketh death, crucifies the false hopes the man had entertained of safety in the way of sin, and, when rising to excess, tends to drive him to despair, the Christian mourning is a happy means of his being begotten again to a lively hope. (3) The sorrow of the world inflames the person's enmity against God, but the Christian's mourning stirs him up to embrace the offers of reconciliation with God. Being accompanied with hatred of sin, it serves to increase his love to God, His holy law and His service. (4) In a word, that sorrow for sin that may be found in an unrenewed man leaves him as it found him. Godly sorrow, on the contrary, worketh "repentance, not to be repented of" The person convinced of the evil and folly of sin, and encouraged by a heart-affecting view of the mercy of God in Christ, turns from sin with loathing of it turns to God with full purpose of heart, and from that time forth persists in a constant endeavour to walk with Him in all the ways of new obedience. II. THE CONDITION THAT THESE PERSONS ARE IN, FOR THE MOST PART, WHILE IN THE WORLD. They are covered with "ashes"; employed in "mourning"; and under the prevailing influence of "the spirit of heaviness." 1. They are subject to all the ordinary miseries of this life, in common with other men. 2. They are affected to a great depth of sorrow by many things which are no affliction to the rest of mankind. They are affected with spiritual as well as temporal evils; sin, the hiding of God's face, the low state of the Church, the divisions among Church members, spiritual judgments, etc. 3. They are subject to many causes of mourning that either fall not upon others or befall them only in a small degree. They live in a foreign land while others consider themselves as at home. They run, and agonize, and strain themselves, in the race that is set before them, while others sit still and are at ease. 4. They are often subject to groundless discouragements through the prevalence of temptation and unbelief. III. THE HAPPY CONDITION TO WHICH THESE MOURNERS SHALL BE BROUGHT. "Beauty for ashes," etc. 1. Even while the causes of their mourning continue, they are supported, encouraged, and comforted in such a manner as to afford them a happiness superior to what others enjoy in their best times. 2. They shall be completely, though gradually, delivered from all their mourning, and from all the causes of it. 3. They shall, at length, enjoy all that positive happiness which their natures are capable of. 4. They shall, at last, be fully sensible of all the happiness of their condition, and shall express their sense of it in songs of eternal praise. IV. THE MANNER IN WHICH CHRIST WILL BRING ABOUT THIS HAPPY CHANGE. 1. He is commissioned to appoint these things for them. The word signifies to ordain by a judicial sentence. Christ, as King in Zion, is invested with the highest authority: God has committed to Him all judgment. 2. He is sent to give unto them what He has thus appointed for them. (J. Young.) Parallel Verses KJV: To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified. |
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