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THE FELICITY OF GOD’S PEOPLE
THE sublime expressions of Scripture frequently raise in our minds a pleasing sensation, while yet we entertain but very confused notions of the truths contained in them. It is scarcely possible to read the words of the text without being struck with wonder and admiration: but we cannot enter into their full import without a careful attention to the preceding context. Samaria was the capital of the ten tribes: it was situated on a high hill, and surrounded by fertile vallies, which were skirted with other hills: hence it was compared to a crown or chaplet; which, while it adorned the adjacent country, marked its pre-eminence above all the other cities of Israel. But for the pride and intemperance of its inhabitants, God denounced his judgments against it, declaring that this beautiful chaplet should be “a fading flower,” and this boasted fortress, a desolation. He foretold that its wealth and beauty should but excite the avidity of its enemies, who, as soon as they came against it, should prevail over it, and greedily devour it, as one would devour a delicious piece of fruit which he unexpectedly found hanging on a tree. Then, to mark as strongly as possible, the contrast between them and his faithful people, he promises that He himself will be to his people a crown of glory that shall never perish, and a diadem of beauty that shall never fade—
This was fulfilled in the preservation of the two tribes under Hezekiah from the forces of the Assyrians, after they had destroyed Samaria and carried captive the whole kingdom of Israel. But its full accomplishment must be sought for in the blessings which God vouchsafes to his people under the Gospel dispensation. To illustrate it we must observe, that,
I. In the most degenerate times God has a remnant of faithful people—
There has been no season when God has not had some faithful adherents—
[In the antediluvian world all flesh had corrupted their way, and it seemed as if the very remembrance of God had been effaced from the minds of his creatures: but yet there was one small family who maintained their steadfastness, and openly acknowledged the true God. Before God separated the Israelites for himself, the world was again reduced to a state similar to that before the deluge: yet even then there were found an Abraham, a Melchizedec, a Job, and perhaps a few others connected with them. The times of Elijah were extremely degenerate: yet then, though he thought himself the only servant of God in Israel, there were seven thousand others that had never bowed their knee to Baal. Though therefore the knowledge of God has frequently been almost extinct, yet there never has been a period when he had not some to be his witnesses in the ages in which they lived.]
But at no time has he had more than a little remnant—
[When first the twelve tribes were established in Canaan, piety prevailed among that nation more than at any other period: but there is no reason to imagine that the godly bore any proportion to the ungodly; nor, if their whole nation had been pious, did they bear any proportion to the world at large. There were many converted in the days of the Apostles; and religion flourished far beyond what it ever did before or since that time: yet Christians were even then “like the gleanings of the olive, one or two upon the topmost boughs.” The name of Christ is indeed very widely spread; but if his professed followers be sifted, how little true wheat would be found in comparison of the chaff! Truly it is “a little flock,” “a remnant according to the election of grace;” “though the nominal Israel be as the sand of the sea, it is only a small remnant that will eventually be saved [Note: Rom_11:5; Rom_9:27.].”]
Their state however is peculiarly happy; for,
II. While they honour God, God greatly exalts and blesses them—
The terms used in the text import that God will be to his people a source of,
1. Honour—
[A crown is the highest honour to which a human being can aspire in this world. But how poor and contemptible is such a dignity, when compared with that which God confers on his people! “He is not ashamed to be called their God:” He acknowledges them as “his sons and daughters:” they are the very “members of Christ’s body,” yea, they “are one spirit” together with him. While monarchs are surrounded by their nobles, the saints are attended by holy angels, who, as “ministering spirits, are sent from heaven to minister unto them.” When they go hence they have a crown of righteousness, and a throne of glory on which they shall sit with Christ at the right hand of God, in whose presence they shall “reign as kings and priests for ever and ever.” “Such honour have all his saints.”]
2. Beauty—
[A crown is deemed the brightest ornament to the person that wears it; nor is any thing wanting to it that can increase its splendour. This idea is particularly marked in that a crown is called “a diadem of beauty.” But God puts a far brighter ornament around the head of his people: “He beautifies them with salvation.” He encircles them, as he did Moses of old, with rays of his own glory, insomuch that “his own glory is seen upon them.” A meek and quiet spirit is but a single grace out of many with which they are endued; yet that is “an ornament of great value even in the sight of God” himself; what then must be the constellation of graces that form their character? But what can God himself say more than this, that they are “renewed after his own image in righteousness and true holiness,” and that they are progressively “changed into his image from glory to glory by the agency of his almighty Spirit?” Is the ornament of a glittering bauble worthy to be compared with this?]
3. Happiness—
[Men conceive that the possession of imperial honours must of necessity contribute greatly to their happiness: hence, if such a station be within their reach, there is nothing which men will not do to attain it. But supposing that all the satisfaction which men expect from their elevation were invariably attached to it, how much greater happiness does God impart to his chosen people! Their “peace passeth all understanding;” their “hope is full of immortality;” their “joy is unspeakable and glorified.” They are not indeed exempt from sorrows; but they have “joys with which the stranger intermeddleth not.” No tongue can declare the comfort they sometimes feel in a sense of the divine favour; nor can the heart of man conceive those joys which are prepared for them at the right hand of God.]
4. Security—
[The idea of security attaches to the condition of a king, because, the instant that he is in danger, there are thousands at his command to rally round the throne, and to expose their lives in his defence. But if “the Lord of Hosts himself be our crown,” then are we secure indeed. And has he not said that “He standeth round about his people;” that “their place of defence is the munition of rocks [Note: Isa_33:16.];” that “He himself will be to them as a broad and rapid river that can neither be passed nor navigated [Note: Isa_33:21.];” yea, that “He will be a wall of fire round about them [Note: Zec_2:5.],” not only to protect their persons, but to destroy all that would invade their peace? Has he not assured us that “neither the power nor the policy of hell shall ever prevail against them?” and that “none shall ever pluck them out of his hand?” Having HIM, they have all. If “none can separate them from his love,” their honour and beauty, their happiness mid security, are as firm and immovable as God himself.]
Infer—
1. How desirable is it to be found among the little remnant!
[Look at the greatest monarch upon earth; and the condition of Lazarus is infinitely preferable to his, unless he be among the number of God’s people. Created glory, like that of Samaria, is but “a fading flower;” but if we belong to God, we have a portion, substantial in its nature, and everlasting in its duration. Let us then seek this portion with all earnestness through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.]
2. How little should we regard the scoffs and contempt of men!
[It is indeed “a small matter to be judged of man’s judgment.” If God commend us as wise, we need not be concerned though men should account us fools. Time will show, who are the truly wise, they who through the love of the world or the fear of man displease their God, or they, who face the frowns of the world, and sacrifice its interests in order that they may please him. Indeed the ungodly themselves will soon alter their sentiments respecting these things [Note: Wisd. 5:3–6.]. And, if a king upon his throne would not regard the ravings of a maniac who should conceit himself to be arrayed in royal majesty, so neither need we regard those who enjoy only the appearance of happiness, while we possess God himself for our crown of glory, and our diadem of beauty.]
3. How are we bound in our respective spheres to honour and glorify our God!
[Can we reflect a moment on such transcendent mercies, and not feel it our duty to walk worthy of them? If any ask, How shall I requite the Lord? We answer, “Be ye a crown of glory and a royal diadem in his hand [Note: Isa_62:3.].” It is true, we cannot add to his honour, beauty, happiness, or security; but, as a diadem is that on which the prince looks with peculiar complacency, so may we be objects of pleasure and delight in the hand of our God. Let us then endeavour so to walk that we may be his boast: so to shine, that it may be seen to whom we belong; and so to honour him, that he may acknowledge us as his in the day that he shall make up his jewels.]