Isaiah 2:22 Cease you from man, whose breath is in his nostrils: for wherein is he to be accounted of ? I. WHAT THE EXHORTATION DOES NOT IMPLY. 1. That God wills our seclusion from the society of man. 2. That we are not to give any confidence to man. 3. That we are to withdraw from the appointed means of grace as being superior to them, or standing in no need of them. II. WHAT THE EXHORTATION DOES IMPLY. 1. That we should cease from all that vain admiration of the external appearance in the character and condition of men in which we are so prone to indulge. 2. That we should not indulge the desire of applause from man. 3. That we should not envy man — his popularity, prosperity, etc. 4. That we should cease from all such confidence in man as would supersede confidence in God. 5. That we should cease from the fear of man. 6. That we should cease from all expectations of perfection in the character of men, even of those who profess religion. 7. That we should cease from all inordinate attachment to creatures. III. THE ARGUMENT BY WHICH THIS EXHORTATION IS ENFORCED. Cease from man — 1. Because he is a depraved creature, subject to violent and dangerous passions. 2. Because he is a deceitful creature, often deceiving himself as well as others. 3. Because he is a fickle and changeable creature. 4. Because he is a weak and helpless creature. 5. Because he is a dying creature. (E. Parsons.) Parallel Verses KJV: Cease ye from man, whose breath is in his nostrils: for wherein is he to be accounted of?WEB: Stop trusting in man, whose breath is in his nostrils; for of what account is he? |
    |