THE MANNER IN WHICH THE NATIONS WERE TO BE GATHERED INTO THE CHURCH OF GOD.
II. THE INSTRUMENTS TO RE EMPLOYED IN EFFECTING THIS GREAT WORK. (R. Macculloch.)
Tarshish . . . Javan
That is, to far Spain, and the distances of Africa, towards the Black Sea, and to Greece, a full round of the compass. (Prof. G. A. Smith, D. D.)
“The isles afar off”
Coastlands (Isa_40:15). This distinctionbetween the nearer nations who have experienced something of the greatness of Jehovah through contact with His people Israel, and the remoter nations who have not heard His name, orginates with the prophet Ezekiel (Eze_38:1). But while the distinction is common to the two prophets, the development of the idea is strikingly different. In Ezekiel Gog’s Ignorance of Jehovah tempts him to an act of sacrilege on the land of Israel which is avenged by the annihilation of him and his host. The spirit of this passage is more evangelical. Jehovah sends missionaries from the nearer nations to those who have not heard His fame nor seen His glory; and the report carries conviction to their minds, so that they restore the Israelites exiled amongst them, as an offering to the Lord. (Prof. J. Skinner, D. D.)
And they shall declare My glory among the Gentiles
Missionary responsibility
I. THE STATE OF THE HEATHEN WHO KNOW NOT GOD.
1. Their present state. They know nothing of the God of love. The weary and heavy-laden among them never heard Christ’s “Come unto Me. The sorrowful among them never heard His “Blessed are they that mourn.” They know nothing of the Paraclete, the Comforter, the Strengthener, although their need as urgent aa ours, of comfort and of strength. They do not know what prayer is. They do but send up deprecations to demons. They, as we, are bereaved of dear ones; but the grand music of those words, “I am the Resurrection and the Life,”- never hushed the discords of their wailing, nor lifted the darkness of their silent despair.
2. Their future. All is to them wrapt in gloom impenetrable.
II. OUR RESPONSIBILITY. Imagine the plague once more devastating our cities. Suppose you knew of an infallible remedy. Then suppose utter indifference on your part in imparting it. What a monster you would be! No one really loves the Lord Jesus who is not zealous to make others love Him. If you do love Him, and are anxious to make others love Him, what are you doing for the spread of His kingdom?
III. WHAT CAN WE DO? We can pray for the full coming of Christ’s kingdom, for the sending more labourers into the harvest. We can provoke others to pray. We can try to realize this truth, that our Lord makes the evangelization of the world to depend, in we know not what degree, upon faithful, earnest prayer. (J. R. Vernon, M. A.)
