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THE RESTORATION OF THE JEWS
IT was expressly commanded by God, that all the males belonging to the twelve tribes of Israel should go up thrice every year to worship the Lord at Jerusalem. If we paint to ourselves the concourse which this would occasion at the appointed seasons, we may form some conception of what shall take place, in due season, from every quarter of the world. If it be said, that the land of Israel will be too small to hold the numbers that, in that case, would be assembled; I answer, that this very circumstance is adverted to in prophecy, where it is said, “The land shall be too narrow by reason of the inhabitants; so that they shall say, The place is too strait for me: give place to me that I may dwell [Note: Isa_49:19-20.].” That the Jews shall be restored to their own land, is, I think, as plainly declared in Scripture, as any truth in the Bible: though, if any be disposed to doubt it, I am not anxious to maintain a controversy respecting it; because, however important it may be to the Jews, it is to us a matter of small moment. To me it appears, that the preceding chapter, together with that before us, is fully upon this point. But, at all events, the future conversion of the Jews is absolutely certain, and indeed is universally admitted: and the multitudes of converts to the Christian Church in that day will be a visible accomplishment of the words preceding my text, which say, that “the watchmen on the Mount Ephraim will cry, Arise ye, and let us go up to Zion, unto the Lord our God!”
In reference to the restoration of the Jews, we have in our text,
I. A command to us—
The Most High God is he that speaks to us in this place; and he enjoins us here,
1. To take an interest in the welfare of his people—
[It is a great reproach to the Christian world, that, from the close of the apostolic age, they have shewn very little attention to the Jews. Indeed, they have overlooked the prophecies relating to them; and thought little more, either of God s interest in them, or theirs in him, than if not a word had been spoken respecting them in Scripture. But God says to us, “Sing with gladness for Jacob, and shout among the chief of the nations.” Here it is evident that we ought so to keep in view God’s gracious designs respecting them, as to have our hearts filled with joy in the contemplation of the blessings that await them. This is enjoined in other passages of Holy Writ [Note: Isa_44:23; Isa_66:10-12.] — — — and I again say, that we have exceeding great reason to be humbled, when we look back on our past indifference towards them — — —]
2. To express that interest in every suitable way—
[We should give to them the benefit, and to God the honour, of what the Scripture has revealed concerning them; “publishing it” wheresoever we go, whether to Jews or Gentiles; and “praising God for it,” as a stupendous display of his glorious perfections — — — And whilst we endeavour to engage their attention to these things, we must, by fervent intercession, endeavour to engage God also in their behalf. We should, together with our public efforts, exert ourselves in secret also, saying, “O Lord, save thy people, the remnant of Israel.” This is especially commanded: we are even enjoined so to abound in importunity, as “not to give any rest to God till he arises to make Jerusalem a praise in the earth [Note: Isa_62:6-7.].” Alas! how shamefully negligent have we all been in this duty! We know how fervently Moses interceded for them on many occasions; and even prayed to have “his own name blotted out of the book of God’s remembrance,” rather than that they should be subjected to God’s heavy displeasure. Let us seek to attain somewhat of the same spirit; and “labour fervently for them night and clay in prayer,” that they may be restored to the favour and the image of their God — — —]
Verily our labour should not be in vain; since to this command, without the intervention of a single word, God adds,
II. A promise to them—
In the promise here given, you observe,
1. Their restoration to God—
[God himself will, in duo season, interpose for their recovery. However distant they are from him, he can, and will, bring them home to himself — — — and, however discouraging their circumstances, will work effectually for them. View them when they came out of Egypt: nothing could exceed their weakness: yet he brought them out safely, with a mighty hand and a stretched-out arm. So now, though they be blind, and lame, and in a state either of pregnancy or actual travail, he will crown their efforts with success; yea, and as in that day, so at the time appointed, a great company shall return thither.” Whatever “mountains be in the way, before Zerubbabel they shall become a plain [Note: See Isa_49:9-11.]” — — —]
2. The manner in which it shall be effected—
[“With weeping and supplication shall they come;” as says the Prophet Zechariah also, “God will pour out upon them a spirit of grace and of supplication: and they shall look on Him whom they have pierced, and mourn, and be in bitterness, as one is in bitterness for his first-born [Note: Zec_12:10.].” In the whole of their progress they shall be carried forward with an abundance of peace, and joy, and holiness: for God will cause them to walk by the rivers of waters, in a straight way, wherein they shall not stumble.” The wonders transacted in the wilderness shall, in a spiritual way at least, be realized again: for God will guide them by his counsel, and strengthen them by his grace, and comfort them with the consolations of his Spirit, till he bring them in safety to his glory — — —]
3. The pledge that it shall surely be accomplished—
[When Moses urged Pharaoh to liberate that people, he particularly enforced his request with this consideration, that they were “God’s first-born [Note: Exo_4:12.].” And in that light he still regards them, though he has cast them off for a season. To them, therefore, will he again reveal himself as a father; and for them will he again interpose as “his first-born,” whom nothing shall induce him finally to disinherit. As he has sworn that the waters of Noah shall no more go over the earth, so has he sworn that he will not be wrath with them, nor rebuke them; and that, though the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed, his kindness shall not depart from them, nor the covenant of his peace be removed from them [Note: ver. 37. with Isa_54:9-10.].”]
Application—
1. Look well to it that you are yourselves restored to God—
[You have the same need of it as the Jews — — — and must return in the same way — — — Inquire, I pray you, whether you have come to the Lord Jesus with weeping and supplication” — — — and are walking steadily and uniformly in his holy way — — — This is as necessary for your salvation, as for theirs — — —]
2. Endeavour to help forward the restoration of your Jewish Brethren—
[You have seen that God enjoins you to interest yourselves in their behalf, exerting yourselves with God for them, and with them for God. To intercede for them in secret, is your bounden duty, and to labour for them in public — — — What you cannot do by your own personal efforts, you may accomplish through the Society which solicits your aid — — — — — —]