Isaiah 51: 7, 8 by Jos. Clarke

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · May 20, 1875

By Jos. Clarke

“Hearken unto me, ye that know righteousness, the people in whose heart is my law; fear ye not the reproach of men, neither be ye afraid of their revilings. For the moth shall eat them up like a garment, and the worm shall eat them like wool; but my righteousness shall be forever, and my salvation from generation to generation.” Isa. 51: 7, 8.

This is first a summons to attend, to hear. This call is not to the wicked, but to those who know righteousness, to those in whose heart God’s law is found. This message regards the revilings and reproaches of the wicked; it exhorts the righteous not to fear or be afraid of them, because their career will soon end in death; the moth and the worm will consume them, while God’s righteousness and his salvation will endure.

A more eloquent passage could not be written than these seventh and eighth verses of Isaiah 51; nor one more full of true godlike independence and righteous fearlessness. As Isaiah saw, from day to day, the overbearing, conceited scorn and pride of the wicked, God told him not to fear nor be afraid; but, Daniel-like, to pass calmly on, pursuing his daily round of duty, composedly resting in faith of God’s word and promise, looking forward to the final triumph of the people of God and the ruin of the poor sinner.

But God takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked, nor did he teach Isaiah to render scorn for scorn, but to look forward with pity and sorrow to their fearful doom; and faithfully and kindly warn them of the terrible retribution awaiting the finally impenitent.

Jos. Clarke.

Isaiah 51: 7, 8.