My people are gone into captivity, because they have no knowledge
A sermon for Trinity Sunday
1.
“My people.” The Almighty has a people of His own; a people with special privileges and a special work to do. In the Old Testament and the New this is clearly written. “My people,” says Isaiah; “My flock,” says Jesus Christ. That is the method of grace. God acts upon some of us that they may act upon the rest. In the days of a school the young influence one another. In a town, in a nation, it is the same. And a whole country has its mission for the world as the Hebrews had. Now, in the text that nation is complained of. Why? Because they had no knowledge.
2. “My people” is a term which shows us God’s character. The inferences which arise from it should be dear to Christians. God will not be without a people, because He is a God of love. He must have around Him children to love. But it is a quality inherent in love to love its like. Children may be helpless, or wayward: we can bear with them, love them, not less, perhaps more, for their weakness and dependence; but they must not be reprobate. There must be some affinity of feeling, something lovable in them, or at last we shall not love, or at any rate love will be in abeyance. God, we believe, has not, and never will, disinherit Israel finally. Why did he go so wrong and choose so badly? “Therefore My people are gone into captivity, because they have no knowledge.” They had knowledge enough in their head no doubt, but they had not taken it to their heart.
3. Now, as regards ourselves, we are God’s people--not exclusively, but among other Christian nations of this later time. God has given us great knowledge of His truth. He has even revealed to us deep secrets of His own nature: even the mystery of the Holy Trinity itself. Since God has given knowledge to us, it should be kept by us not in a passive but in a living active state. (2Ti_1:13; Tit_1:13; Tit_2:1; 2Co_13:5; Jud_1:3.) And this knowledge is so efficient and operative a force that it is all-important to keep it “whole and undefiled.” This “doctrine” of the Holy Trinity is no speculative thing, but it is closely interwoven with the principles of Christian life. (T. F. Crosse, D. C. L.)
“They have no knowledge”
How should they, when by their excessive drinking they make sots and fools of themselves? They set up for wits; but because they regard not God’s controversy with them, nor take any care as to their peace with Him, they may truly be said to have no knowledge; and the reason is, because they will have none; inconsiderate and wilful, and therefore “destroyed for lack of knowledge.” (M. Henry.)
Inconsideration and ignorance
1. Ignorance is the certain consequence of inconsideration.
2. Inconsideration is the natural effect of luxury and dissipation, which arise from gratified avarice and ambition. (R. Macculloch.)
Records of the past
The great stone book of nature reveals many strange records of the past. In the red sandstone there are found in some places marks which are clearly the impressions of showers of rein, and these so perfect that it can even be determined in which direction the shower inclined, and from what quarter it proceeded; and this ages ago! So sin leaves its track behind it, and God keeps a faithful record of all our sins. (G. H. Morrison, M. A.)
