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This Chapter Verse Commentaries:
OUR DUTY ARISING FROM THE ADVENT OF CHRIST
THE prophetic style is wonderfully sublime: its figures are so bold, its transitions so quick, its descriptions so animated, that all the most admired compositions of Greece and Rome sink in our estimation when compared with the sacred oracles. The writings of Isaiah in particular justify this remark; and both the chapter, and the very words, before us, are worthy of notice in this view. The prophet had just foretold the advent of the Redeemer [Note: Isa_59:20. That the passage refers to Christ, and not merely to the deliverance of the Jews from Babylon, will be seen by comparing Isa_9:2. with Mat_4:16.]; and instantly, passing over an interval of seven or eight hundred years, he sees his prediction, as it were, accomplished; and calls upon the Church, in terms of joyful congratulation, to approve itself worthy of so great a blessing—
In discoursing on his words we shall consider,
I. The tidings here announced—
Christ is the fountain of light to the whole universe—
[He is “the Lord” Jehovah, “in whom dwells all the fulness of the Godhead.” Though as the Son of man, he laboured under all the sinless infirmities of our nature; yet, as the Son of God, he was “the brightness of his Father’s glory, and the express image of his person.” From him proceeds a lustre, as from the sun in the firmament; but though “he shines in the darkness, the darkness does not apprehend his light [Note: Joh_1:5.].” It is the Church alone that truly receives him. That, like Goshen in the midst of Egypt, is light, whilst all around it is in gross darkness [Note: Exo_9:26; Exo_10:21-23.]. If any have the Light of his word, they cannot profit by it, unless their eyes be opened by his good Spirit. Hence the prophet, speaking of him to the Church, says emphatically, “Thy light is come.”]
This light is risen upon the Church of God—
[Under the Jewish dispensation “the day began, as it were, to dawn; and in the hearts of some the day-star had arisen [Note: 2Pe_1:19.].” But at the incarnation of Christ, and in the days of his ministration upon earth, the sun arose above the horizon. In the apostolic age it shone in its meridian splendour; and, through the goodness of God, it has at last visited these distant regions [Note: Mal_4:2. Luk_1:78-79.]. In some respects it shines clearer upon us than even on the Apostles themselves; since they, for several years after our Lord’s ascension, did not see that the partition-wall between Jews and Gentiles was to be broken down: whereas we, who are Gentiles, not only know this truth, but are “graffed on that stock, from which the Jews themselves have been broken off.”]
These tidings are indeed joyful: but, that they are to have a practical effect upon us, we see by,
II. The exhortation grounded upon them—
In the margin of our Bibles the word “shine” is translated “be enlightened.” This translation suggests so important a thought, a thought so naturally arising from the tidings announced, that we may well give it a distinguished place in this part of our subject. The exhortation may then be considered as two-fold;
1. “Arise, and be enlightened”—
[Notwithstanding “the true light now shines,” the greater part even of the Christian world are covered with gross darkness [Note: ver. 2.]. We set before them the light, but they “love darkness rather than light,” and desire that we would “make the Holy One of Israel to cease from before them [Note: Joh_3:19. Isa_30:11.].” But we should come forth from our dungeons, and behold the Sun of Righteousness [Note: Isa_49:9.]. We should beg of God to bring us “out of darkness into his marvellous light [Note: 1Pe_2:9.],” and to “shine into our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of his glory in the face of Jesus Christ [Note: 2Co_4:6.].” If we continue blind it is our own fault: we take part with Satan against Christ, and, as the recompense of our wickedness, “the god of this world is permitted to blind us [Note: 2Co_4:4.],” and we are given over to a delusion to believe a lie [Note: 2Th_2:11.]. Since then “the day-spring from on high hath visited us,” let us no longer “sit in darkness and the shadow of death,” but improve the mercies we enjoy, that “our feet may be guided into the way of peace.”]
2. “Arise, and shine”—
[The sun in the firmament irradiates the stars, which shine with a lustre derived from him. Thus we are also to “shine as lights in the world [Note: Php_2:15.],” and, to reflect the light of the Sun of Righteousness. As the face of Moses, when come down from the mount, shone, so that the children of Israel could not steadfastly behold him [Note: 2Co_3:13.], so should all of us, though with a less dazzling lustre, shine in our proper orbit. The stars indeed can shine only when the sun is withdrawn; but the brighter the Lord Jesus shines, the more shall we reflect his image. Let us then “walk in the light as God is in the light [Note: 1Jn_1:7.];” and let “our path be as the shining light, which shineth more and more unto the perfect day [Note: Pro_4:18.].]
Address—
1. Those who, though living in the midst of the light, have never yet seen it—
[Such are without excuse. God would “make the scales to fall from our eves,” if we would but call upon him. But our rejection of the light will be the occasion of our more aggravated condemnation. “If Christ had not come and spoken unto us we had not had sin; but now we have no cloak for our sin [Note: Joh_9:41; Joh_15:22.].” Let us then cry to him, like those of old, “Lord, open my eyes.” Then shall we no longer walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life [Note: Joh_8:12. Eph_5:14.].]
2. Those who, though they have had some views of Christ, are yet in darkness—
[The sun in the heavens is sometimes obscured by intervening clouds: thus also “the Sun of Righteousness” is sometimes veiled; and we are left to walk many days without any cheering views of his countenance. If this be the case with us, let us tarry his leisure, and wait patiently for his return. Let us not say, “My sun is set to rise no more;” but rather, “When I sit in darkness, the Lord will be a light unto me [Note: Mic_7:7-9.].” Thus in his light you shall see light [Note: Psa_36:9.]; “the light that is sown for you shall in due time spring up [Note: Psa_97:11.];” yea, your light shall rise in obscurity, and your darkness be as the noon-day [Note: Isa_58:10.].]
3. Those who are enjoying the light of the Redeemer’s countenance—
[Jesus is the light and glory, not of the church militant only, but also of the church triumphant [Note: Rev_21:23-24.]: and to “behold his glory as the glory of the only-begotten of the Father [Note: Joh_1:14.]” is an anticipation and foretaste of heaven itself. “In his favour is life; and his loving-kindness is better than life itself.” Let the enjoyment then of so rich a mercy stir you up to glorify his name; that so, while you behold his glory, you yourselves may be changed into his image from glory to glory [Note: 2Co_3:18.], and, by making your light to shine before men, may stir up others to glorify him also [Note: Mat_5:16.].]