Homiletic Review Isaiah 55:7-9 Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return to the LORD, and he will have mercy on him… I. A VIVID PORTRAIT. 1. It introduces the man of evil deeds. 2. We have likewise the portrait of the man of unholy purposes. What a mirror the text holds up to society! II. AN EARLIEST EXHORTATION. 1. "Let the wicked forsake," etc. The sinner is required to forsake, to abandon his sin. 2. "Let him return unto the Lord." The sinner lives abnormally, unnaturally. He is a prodigal away from home, a wandering sheep beyond the protection of the fold, a lost piece of silver. Hence religion is a return to God, to first relations, to natural courses of behaviour. Sinners are like wandering stars escaped from their orbit. Conversion restores them to their proper place in the onward sweep of the Divine purpose. The text is a disclosure of the nature of true repentance and of saving faith. III. AN EXCEEDING GREAT AND PRECIOUS PROMISE. 1. "And He will have mercy upon him." Mercy is God's wealth. "Rich in mercy." 2. "Abundantly pardon." What music is in these words! (Homiletic Review.) Parallel Verses KJV: Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. |
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