Isa. 30:18, “And therefore will the Lord wait that He may be gracious to you:”—supposed to teach that God, by His Spirit, waits on sinners for a period during which He is prepared to save them, if they are willing. But the chapter primarily refers to the Jews, who are threatened with banishment for their sins, v. 17. Yet their national recovery is predicted. God would wait the allotted time of their punishment, and in due time be gracious unto them: and they should again dwell at Jerusalem.
By no fair principle of accommodation can the verse be made to bear the popular, but erroneous, interpretation, for there is no analogy between God’s conduct to His ancient people, to which the verse alludes, and the presumed efforts which the Spirit makes to save all men.
It is nowhere asserted in the Bible that God waits on sinners in order to save them—but He does wait in relation to periods, places, and persons. (1) Periods. He waits for His own pre-appointed time to bless His people—and never either hurries or delays (Psa. 102:13; Hab. 2:3; Rom. 5:6; Gal. 4:24; 1 Pet. 5:6). (2) Places. He waits at the Mercy-seat that He may be gracious—holds Himself engaged to be present, and wait at every spot of difficulty in our journey (Isa. 43:2; 1 Cor. 10:13; 2 Tim. 4:17). (3) Persons. He waits on and for His people in seasons of special trial. Every gospel promise binds god to wait in grace on the character portrayed in it. Note, this is the only text in the bible in which the word “wait” applies to Jehovah.
By no fair principle of accommodation can the verse be made to bear the popular, but erroneous, interpretation, for there is no analogy between God’s conduct to His ancient people, to which the verse alludes, and the presumed efforts which the Spirit makes to save all men.
It is nowhere asserted in the Bible that God waits on sinners in order to save them—but He does wait in relation to periods, places, and persons. (1) Periods. He waits for His own pre-appointed time to bless His people—and never either hurries or delays (Psa. 102:13; Hab. 2:3; Rom. 5:6; Gal. 4:24; 1 Pet. 5:6). (2) Places. He waits at the Mercy-seat that He may be gracious—holds Himself engaged to be present, and wait at every spot of difficulty in our journey (Isa. 43:2; 1 Cor. 10:13; 2 Tim. 4:17). (3) Persons. He waits on and for His people in seasons of special trial. Every gospel promise binds god to wait in grace on the character portrayed in it. Note, this is the only text in the bible in which the word “wait” applies to Jehovah.
