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THE CONVERSION OF JEWS AND GENTILES
THERE is among God’s ancient people an idea. that, so far from their nation being converted to Christianity, the whole world is, in due season, to be converted to Judaism. Nor do we wonder much that this error should obtain amongst them; since, in the prophetic writings, the change which is to be wrought upon the Gentiles is very generally described in terms taken from the Jewish Law. This is peculiarly observable in the passage before us, where Assyria and Egypt, the representatives of God’s enemies in all ages, are spoken of as “raising an altar to the Lord,” and “offering sacrifices thereon;” and “making vows unto the Lord,” and “swearing by his name;” and as “raising up to him a pillar,” such as the Israelites formed after their passage through Jordan, “to be a sign and a witness to the Lord” that they were his redeemed people, and that he alone was their God [Note: See these different expressions, ver. 18–21.]. But a more thorough knowledge of their prophecies would convince them, that they are to enjoy a far different dispensation from that of Moses—a dispensation, not of works, but of grace; a dispensation, suited not to one small nation only, but to Egyptians and Assyrians, and to every people under heaven. In fact, though legal terms are here used to express the piety which shall characterize the latter day, it is of that day that my text speaks, when “all the kingdoms of the world shall become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ;” and it is in this view that God expresses such satisfaction in it.
Let us consider,
I. The event in which God expresses such delight—
It is the conversion of the whole world to God—
[Egypt and Assyria, and the whole Gentile world, when the Lord Jesus Christ shall be erected as a standard in the midst of them, shall flock to it from every quarter; and, together with the outcasts of Israel, and the dispersed of Judah, form one universal Church, “one fold under one Shepherd [Note: Compare ver. 23, 24. with 11:10–12, 15, 16.].” “With Assyria and Egypt shall Israel be a third, even a blessing in the midst of the land.” Hitherto, “the Israelites have only been a curse in the different countries over which they have been dispersed [Note: Zec_8:13.]:” for whilst they have been universally execrated, they have been a snare to their enemies, and an occasion of greatly aggravating their guilt. But “in that day will they prove a blessing” to all amongst whom they dwell: they will prove a blessing, as examples “whose conversion will be as life from the dead to the whole world [Note: Rom_11:12; Rom_11:15.]:” they will prove a blessing, too, as instruments, who, being themselves converted, “will declare God’s glory amongst the Gentiles,” and, like the priests of old, present thousands and millions of them as free-will offerings upon God’s altar [Note: Isa_66:19-21.]. We all know of what use the showers are which descend upon the face of the earth, wheresoever God is pleased to send them: and precisely that office are the Jews, now dispersed over the earth, in due season destined to perform [Note: Mic_5:7.]. The whole process is well described by the Prophet Zechariah, who says, that “many people and strong nations shall come to seek the Lord of Hosts in Jerusalem, every one of them taking hold of the skirt of him that is a Jew, saying, We will go with you; for we have heard that God is with you [Note: Zec_8:20-23.].”]
In this event God will greatly rejoice—
[To this effect he has said, “I create Jerusalem a rejoicing, and her people a joy: and I will rejoice in Jerusalem, and joy in my people [Note: Isa_65:18-19.].” The expressions in my text are peculiarly striking to this effect: “The Lord of Hosts shall bless all his converts, saying, Blessed be Egypt my people, and Assyria the work of my hands, and Israel mine inheritance.” All will be regarded by him with peculiar affection, whilst yet his people Israel shall possess their original and distinctive honour, as “his peculiar people,” the lot of his inheritance [Note: Deu_32:9.].” But when God pronounces these “blessed,” he makes them so: he makes them blessed by the richest communications of his grace, his mercy, and his peace: and in due season he will consummate their blessedness in the fullest possible enjoyment of his presence and glory. Such is the blessedness prepared for all who believe in Christ, whatever may have been their former state. We may have been as hostile to Christ as the superstitious Jews, or as far from him as the idolatrous Gentiles; and yet, if we embrace and obey the Gospel, this blessedness shall be ours.]
And is this event now fast approaching? Let us then consider,
II. The effect which the prospect of it should produce on us—
Surely we should not be insensible to it. No: it should prevail,
1. To enlarge our philanthropy—
[We are, for the most part, very narrow and contracted in our regards for our fellow men. Rarely do we feel much for any, except our own immediate neighbours, or those in whose welfare we have some personal interest. And even then, it is for their temporal, rather than their spiritual welfare that we are chiefly concerned. But we ought to extend our regards to the whole family of man dispersed throughout the earth; and, above all, to feel for their eternal interests. Behold how Jehovah expresses himself in our text. One would have thought that the great oppressors of his people, Egypt and Assyria, might have been excepted from his benevolent regards; but we find he contemplates their return to him with the utmost complacency and delight. Thus, then, should it be with you. You should be like-minded with God in this holy feeling. The whole world, whether Jews or Gentiles, should be objects of your deepest solicitude. To see them ignorant of God and his Christ, should fill you with pain: and to have a prospect of their conversion, should excite in you the liveliest joy. Let me not be mistaken: I would not have your neighbours overlooked, either in relation to their temporal or their eternal interests: but I would have your hearts expanded, even us God’s is, to embrace the whole family of man: and, as the conversion of their souls to God is, beyond all comparison, the most important object, I would have that to occupy the chief place in your minds.]
2. To raise our expectations—
[We think it almost impossible to enlighten the minds of the idolatrous Gentiles; and we quite ridicule the idea of converting the bigoted and superstitious Jews. But the work shall be done: for the prophet says, “If this be marvellous in your eyes, should it also be marvellous in mine eyes? saith the Lord of Hosts [Note: Zec_8:6.].” Beloved Brethren, not only is this event certain, but it is also near. Between two and three thousand years ago, the Prophet Isaiah had such clear views of it, that he saw it through this long vista, exhibited as it were before his eyes: “Lift up thine eyes round about, and behold: all these gather themselves together, and come to thee. As I live, saith the Lord, thou shalt surely clothe thee with them all as with an ornament, and bind them on thee as a bride doth . … Thou shalt say in thine heart, Who hath begotten me these, seeing I have lost my children, and am desolate, a captive, and removing to and fro? and who hath brought up these? Behold, I was left alone: these, where had they been [Note: Isa_49:18; Isa_49:21.]?” “Who are these that fly as doves to their windows [Note: Isa_60:8.]?” Now, did the prophet in his day see it realized before his eyes, and shall not we, now that the time is so nearly come? Dear Brethren, you may already see “a stir among the dry bones, through the whole valley of vision: and it is yet but a very little time, and the Spirit of God shall breathe upon them, and they shall live, a whole army [Note: Eze_37:7-10.].” Yes, I can confidently say. “It is now but a very little while, and Lebanon shall be turned into a fruitful field, and the fruitful field shall be esteemed as a forest [Note: Isa_29:17.].”]
3. To quicken our exertions—
[In every age has God carried on his work, through the instrumentality of men. What were the Prophets or the Apostles, but Ministers, by whom he accomplished the purposes of his grace? And so, at this time, he appeals to us respecting the ignorant and ungodly world, “How shall they hear without a preacher [Note: Rom_10:14.]?” You will say, perhaps, “We cannot all be preachers.” True; but there is much which may be done by every one amongst us. We may all comply with that direction of the prophet, “Lift up thy prayer for the remnant that is left.” Yes, we may all “pray for the peace and welfare of Jerusalem.” In fact, we are commanded, not only to pray, but to give God no rest, till he establish and make Jerusalem a praise in the earth [Note: Isa_62:6-7.].” We may also contribute, each according to his ability, to further those means which are employed, of circulating through the world the Scriptures of truth, and of sending Missionaries also to instruct mankind. The command given by our Lord was, “to go forth into all the world, and to preach the Gospel to every creature.” But how can persons go at their own cost? If a warfare against a hostile nation be determined, we never think of men going to maintain it at their own cost. Nor is it to be supposed that now persons should wage war against all the powers of darkness, and go forth to rescue the millions whom they hold in bondage, if they be not aided in their efforts by the contributions of their brethren. In this way, then, all may exert themselves in the common cause: and if our blessed Lord gave up himself to the most cruel death for the salvation of the world, methinks we, who have been partakers of his mercy, should use our efforts, in every possible way, to extend the knowledge of Him through the world; and never to rest, till “all shall know Him, from the least to the greatest,” and “all flesh shall see the salvation of God.”]