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BELIEVERS ARE FOR SIGNS AND WONDERS
FROM the time of Cain and Abel to the present moment, there have existed upon earth two classes of men, essentially distinct from each other, and indeed opposed to each other, even as light and darkness: the one of these consists of men “born after the flesh only; the other, of persons born after the Spirit also.” Unhappily, it is to the former of these classes that the great majority of mankind have at all times belonged: the latter class has been composed of only a small remnant, who, on that account, have been, to all the rest of the world, objects of reproach and contempt. The Prophet Isaiah complains of this, in his day: and from his complaint I shall take occasion,
I. To confirm his statement—
There is, in the special case before us, a reference probably to the prophet’s own family at that time—
[The prophet had two sons; to whom, by God’s special direction, he gave very peculiar names. The name of one was “Shear-jashub [Note: Isa_7:3.];” the name of the other was “Maher-shalalhash-baz [Note: Isa_8:3.].” These names were given for the purpose of declaring to that people God’s intentions respecting them; and the children were therefore both signs of what God had purposed respecting the land, and pledges that he would carry that purpose into effect. The ungodly people of that day, not believing the purposes of God, turned both the prophet and his children into objects of contempt and ridicule. And this seems to be the literal import of our text.]
But the prophet had some followers also, who, having been converted by his ministry, were regarded by him as “his children”—
[These also, as being witnesses for God against their ungodly neighbours, were, together with the prophet, regarded as objects of popular reproach.
These, too, were honoured by the Lord as his peculiar friends and favourites; or, rather, as his own children, to whom he stood in the relation of a Father. In this respect the prophet was a type of the Messiah; who, being the spiritual Parent of these persons, acknowledged them as members of his mystical body; yea, as “members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones [Note: Heb_2:13. with Eph_5:30.].”
Now this rendered them still more obnoxious to the ungodly world; who always hate the saints, in proportion as they bear the divine image, and appear to be objects of God’s peculiar love [Note: Joh_15:19.]. And this I conceive to be the precise import of the prophet’s words. He has, in the first place, an oblique reference to his own sons; but he more especially alludes to his pious followers, whom, through the instrumentality of his word, the Lord himself had brought into the nearest possible union with himself. Of these he says, that they were “for signs and for wonders in Israel.”]
In the same light have the saints in all ages been regarded—
[In the days of the Apostles, the children of God were looked upon “as the filth of the world, and the off-scouring of all things [Note: 1Co_4:13.]:” and to this very hour are they, as the prophet Zechariah expresses it, “men wondered at [Note: Zec_3:8.].” There is no one thing which will render persons more universally despised than a profession of real godliness. Every description of men, the moral and the immoral, the proud Pharisee and the scoffing Infidel, are alike hostile to the true Christian. The whole world will hate a follower of Christ. To the whole world, he himself was a butt of contradiction [Note: Luk_2:34. The Greek.]: and all who designated him Beelzebub, will be sure to find some name sufficiently opprobrious, for the purpose of characterizing his faithful disciples.]
This statement being still as true as in the prophet’s days, I will proceed,
II. To point out its aspect on the parties concerned—
Truly its aspect is very different,
1. On those who account the saints to be “for signs and for wonders”—
[They, alas! only betray their own ignorance. Methinks, if they exercised any sound judgment, they would rather account themselves “signs and wonders;” and stand amazed that ever they should have been capable of acting so irrational a part as they have, throughout their whole lives. What! “gaze strangely at persons, and speak evil of them, merely because they will not run to the same excess of riot” as the ungodly world are pursuing [Note: 1Pe_4:4. The Greek.]! Is this consistent—I will not say, with piety, but with common sense? But, in fact, these very persons, in the midst of all their profane jests or acrimonious proceedings, cannot help venerating, in their hearts, the servants of Christ, and wishing at least to “die their death,” even though they will not endeavour to live their life. And assuredly the time is coming, when they will condemn their present conduct as bitterly as now they inveigh against the conduct of the Lord’s people. Now they call the saints “the troublers of Israel;” and complain of them, as wishing “to turn the world upside down:” but in a little time their voice will be changed; and they will bemoan themselves, saying, “We fools accounted their life madness, and their end to be without honour: but now, how are they numbered among the children of God, and their lot is among the saints! Therefore have we erred from the way of truth . … but as for the way of the Lord, we have not known it [Note: Wisd. 5:4–7.].”]
2. On those who are so accounted—
[Be it so, that ye are and must be, despised and “hated, of all men, for Christ’s sake.” But shall I condole with you on this account? No: I will rather congratulate you; for the whole tenour of Scripture pronounces this to be a ground of joy [Note: Mat_5:10-12.] — — — Is it a ground of joy, that “the Spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you? and that you are conformed to your Saviour’s image? and that he is glorified in you [Note: 1Pe_4:12-14.]? Then I bid you rejoice. Again; Is it aground of joy that the work of God’s grace is advanced in you [Note: 1Pe_1:7.], and an accumulated weight of glory is preparing for you [Note: 2Co_4:17.]? Then, again I say, Rejoice. But particularly bear in mind what was before spoken respecting our blessed Saviour’s acknowledgment of those who thus serve him with fidelity: even in the presence of his Father will he confess them, as partakers of his nature, and as heirs of his glory [Note: Heb_2:13.]. I say, then, be content to be signs and wonders for a little season; that ye may answer the designs of God respecting you in this world, and be partakers of his glory for ever in the world to come.]