Charles Spurgeon Commentary Isaiah 50:11

"Behold, all ye that kindle a fire, that gird yourselves about with firebrands; walk ye in the flame of your fire, and among the brands that ye have kindled. This shall ye have of my hand; ye shall lie down in sorrow." — Isaiah 50:11 (ASV)

This shall ye have of mine hand; (Isaiah 50:11).

When your walking is done, see what will be the end of it–

Walk in the light of your fire, and in the sparks—

Or, torches—

This shall you have of my hand; you shall lie down in sorrow.

Your fire shall not warm you; your sparks shall not enlighten you; you will have to lie down to die, and you shall lie down in sorrow. O my dear hearers, the time will come when every one of us must put off this body, and lie down to die!

May God grant that none of us may have to lie down in sorrow; but instead, having trusted in God, may he light our candle for us in the last moment, that we may fall asleep in Jesus, and wake up in his likeness in the everlasting glory! May God bless to us the reading of his Word!

Amen.

That compass yourselves about with sparks:

Or, firebrands—

Behold, all ye that kindle a fire,

You who would gladly save yourselves—

That compass yourselves about with sparks: walk in the light of your fire, and in the sparks that you have kindled.

"Be happy while you may; have 'a short life and a merry one,' if that is your choice."

That ye have kindled.

That will be the end of it. This grand illumination of yours—all your good works, all your glorious intellect, and I know not what—what will come of it?

Behold, all you that kindle a fire, that compass yourselves about with sparks: walk in the light of your fire, and in the sparks that you have kindled.

If you think to make yourselves happy in sin, go and do it. If you imagine that your own righteousness will save you, go and try it.

This shall ye have of mine hand; ye shall lie down in sorrow.

God save us all from such a lying down so that in the end, for Christ's sake! Amen.

Behold, all you that kindle a fire,–

Listen to this, you who live without God, yet think yourselves happy; you who have no hope of the great hereafter, yet are content with the present: Behold, all you that kindle a fire,–