Isaiah 9:13 For the people turns not to him that smites them, neither do they seek the LORD of hosts. "The people turneth not unto Him that smiteth them." That is one element of the cause of this judgment. They do not kiss the rod: they see it to be a rod only; they do not understand that judgment is the severe aspect of mercy, and that without mercy there could be no real judgment. There might be condemnation, destruction, annihilation, but "judgment" is a combined or compound term, involving in all its rich music every possible utterance of law and grace and song and hope. When a man kisses the hand that wields the rod, the rod blossoms, and God's judgment becomes God's grace. (J. Parker, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: For the people turneth not unto him that smiteth them, neither do they seek the LORD of hosts.WEB: Yet the people have not turned to him who struck them, neither have they sought Yahweh of Armies. |
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