God Israel Idolatry and Christ: A Brief Exposition of Isaiah 40 to 57 (Understanding the Old Testament)

Hamilton Smith (1862-1943) born in Barnes Surrey the son of a sea captain was employed in the office of his uncles building firm where he was later joined by his cousin F B Hole. By 1901 married and living in Sutton Surrey with his wife and young family he had retired from the building trade and entered full-time upon the task of building up the church of God. Later in life he moved to Weston-super-Mare in Somerset his wife Rachels home county. His personal ministry was delivered in the United Kingdom but his written ministry continues to be read worldwide. Along with H P Barker A J Pollock J T Mawson and F B Hole he frequently contributed articles to Scripture Truth magazine which often provided the basis for books later published by the Central Bible Truth Depot. Hamilton Smiths written expositions of the Scriptures are brief: in keeping with a desire to be nothing and to give Christ all the glory. Yet they are clear and very much to the point: If we present doctrines with all the arguments for and against leaving our hearers to judge whether it be true or not we shall hardly be speaking with authority but rather as those who are groping for the truth. We are to speak as those who by grace know the certainty of the truth they proclaim. He is probably best known for his Old Testament character studies but he also wrote topical studies and expositions of Bible books. The present volume consists of a verse-by-verse study of chapters 40 to 57 of the Old Testament prophecy of Isaiah. Emphasis is placed on the dispensational approach to its interpretation distinguishing prophecies as already fulfilled or yet to be so. The focus of chapters 40 to 48 is seen as the issue of idolatry; and that of chapters 49 to 57 to be the coming of Jesus as the humble servant of God to be followed by his future return to rule. Throughout the exposition valuable practical lessons are drawn for Christians today.