Isaiah, Chapter 63, verses 16-17, 19
15 The Church, in their prayer, 17 and complaint, profess their faithIsaiah, Chapter 64, verses 1-8
1 The Church prayeth for the illustration of God's power, 5 Celebrating God's mercy, it maketh confession of their natural corruptions64 The church's prayer continued, for the illustration of God's glory, Isa 64:1-5.
With a confession of their sins, and complaint of their afflictions, Isa 64:6-12.
64:1 Rent - A metaphor taken from men, that when they would resolutely help one in distress, break and fling open doors and whatever may hinder.Flow down - That all impediments might be removed out of the way: possibly an allusion to God's coming down upon mount Sinai, in those terrible flames of fire.
64:2 Fire - Come with such zeal for thy people, that the solid mountains may be no more before thy breath, than metal that runs, or water that boils by the force of a vehement fire. Known - That thine enemies may know thy power, and that thy name may be dreaded among them.
64:3 Terrible things - This may relate to what he did among the Egyptians, tho' it be not recorded, and afterward in the wilderness.Looked not for - Such things as we could never expect.Mountains - Kings, princes, and potentates, may metaphorically be understood by these mountains.
64:4 Besides thee - This is to be applied to all the wonderful works, that God at all times wrought for his people: and thus they are a plea with God, that they might well expect such things from him now, that had done such wonderful things for their fathers. Waiteth - This may be taken with reference both to the state of grace and glory, those incomprehensible things that are exhibited through Christ in the mysteries of the gospel.
64:5 Meetest - As the father the prodigal. Worketh - That rejoices to work righteousness. Continuance - To those that work righteousness.Be saved - In so doing, in working righteousness.
64:6 Unclean - Formerly there were some that feared thee; but now we are all as one polluted mass, nothing of good left in us by reason of an universal degeneracy. And all - The very best of us all are no better than the uncleanest things. Taken - Carried away to Babylon, as leaves hurried away by a boisterous wind.
64:7 That calleth - That call upon thee as they ought.Take hold - Either to stay thee from departing from us, or to fetch thee back when departed.
64:8 Our father - Notwithstanding all this thou art our father both by creation, and by adoption, therefore pity us thy children.
1 Corinthians, Chapter 1, verses 3-9
1 After his salutation and thanksgiving1
1:4 Always - Whenever I mention you to God in prayer.
1:5 In all utterance and knowledge - Of divine things.These gifts the Corinthians particularly admired. Therefore this congratulation naturally tended to soften their spirits, and I make way for the reproofs which follow.
1:6 The testimony of Christ - The gospel. Was confirmed among you - By these gifts attending it. They knew they had received these by the hand of Paul: and this consideration was highly proper, to revive in them their former reverence and affection for their spiritual father.
1:7 Waiting - With earnest desire. For the glorious revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ - A sure mark of a true or false Christian, to long for, or dread, this revelation.
1:8 Who will also - if you faithfully apply to him.Confirm you to the end. In the day of Christ - Now it is our day, wherein we are to work out our salvation; then it will be eminently the day of Christ, and of his glory in the saints.
1:9 God is faithful - To all his promises; and therefore "to him that hath shall be given." By whom ye are called - Apledge of his willingness to save you unto the uttermost.
Mark, Chapter 13, verses 33-37
32 the hour whereof being known to none, every man is to watch and pray, that we be not found unprovided, when he cometh to each one particularly by death13
13:34 The Son of man is as a man taking a far journey - Being about to leave this world and go to the Father, he appoints the services that are to be performed by all his servants, in their several stations. This seems chiefly to respect ministers at the day of judgment: but it may be applied to all men, and to the time of death. Mat 25:14; Luk 19:12.
63 Christ's victory over his enemies, Isa 63:1-6.
and mercy towards his church: in judgment remembering mercy, Isa 63:7-14.
The church's prayer and complaint in faith, Isa 63:15-19.
63:16 Abraham - He who was our father after the flesh, though he be dead, and so ignorant of our condition. Redeemer - This is urged as another argument for pity; because their Father was their Redeemer.From everlasting - Thou hast been our Redeemer of old.
63:17 Made us - Suffered us to err. Hardened - Suffered it to be hardened. Thy fear - The fear of thee. Servants sake - For our sakes, that little remnant that are thy servants. Inheritance - The land of Canaan, which God gave them as an inheritance.