Isaiah 55:13 Instead of the thorn shall come up the fir tree, and instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle treeā¦ 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. |