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DELIVERANCE FROM SPIRITUAL BONDAGE ACKNOWLEDGED
THE great body of the Psalms was composed by David: but some were written many hundred years before his time, as the 90th was by Moses; and others many hundred years after him, as that before us, which was evidently written after the Babylonish captivity. It relates in the first instance to the delivery of Israel from their sore bondage, and their restoration to their long desolated country: but it is well applicable to that redemption which is vouchsafed to the souls of men, and which was shadowed forth by that great event.
Let us consider from the passage,
I. The deliverance here celebrated—
Grievous beyond expression was Israel’s captivity. They were treated with the utmost cruelty by their Babylonish oppressors [Note: Psa_137:8-9.]: and their sufferings were greatly heightened by the derision with which their pious lamentations were regarded [Note: Psa_137:3-4.]. But in proportion to the greatness of their afflictions was their joy at the unexpected deliverance vouchsafed to them. Observe,
1. The feelings excited by it—
[Among the captives themselves the joy was so great, that they scarcely knew whether it were a reality or a dream. They were like Peter, when delivered from prison by an angel on the very night previous to his intended execution: “He went out and followed the angel; and wist not that it was true which was done by the angel; but thought he saw a vision [Note: Act_12:9.].” All their lamentations were instantly turned to joy: “their mouth was filled with laughter, and their tongue with singing.” The sight of such an unprecedented event filled all the surrounding nations with astonishment, and constrained them to acknowledge that it was the work, not of man, but of God: “Then said they among the heathen, The Lord hath done great things for them.” The Israelites themselves readily concurred in this sentiment; and, on hearing the congratulations offered them, thankfully replied, “The Lord hath done great things for us, whereof we are glad.”]
2. The supplications it drew forth—
[Though permission was given them to return to their own land, and every thing was provided for their sustenance by the way, and their assistance at the end of their journey, the Jews saw that there was a great and discouraging work before them: but, as nothing was impossible to Jehovah, they entreated him to perfect what he had begun, and “to turn again their captivity as the streams in the south.” In the southern or hilly country of Judea there were, as in all mountainous countries, frequent and sudden inundations; which however as rapidly subsided, soon after the rains had ceased; so that, where, but a few hours before, the country bore the aspect of universal desolation, it speedily assumed the most lovely and flourishing appearance, the valleys smiling on every side with renovated and augmented verdure. Thus the Jews desired, that the ravages made in their now desolated country might be soon repaired, and that, through the influence of their almighty Guardian, their efforts might be crowned with speedy and complete success.]
We forbear to dwell upon the event itself, that we may enter somewhat minutely into,
II. The more glorious deliverance that was typified by it—
The event before us is undoubtedly to be regarded as shadowing forth that infinitely greater deliverance which is wrought for us by the Lord Jesus Christ [Note: Compare Isa_40:3-5. with Luk_3:3-6. or Isa_52:7. with Rom_10:15.]. And the correspondence between the two is particularly striking. Observe,
1. The deliverance itself—
[Grievous as was the captivity of the Jews in Babylon, it was nothing in comparison of that sorer bondage to which we are subjected by the power of sin and the wiles of Satan. All indeed have not the same work assigned them; but all are walking after the imagination of their own hearts, “being taken in the snare of the devil, and led captive by him at his will.”
The promised Deliverer however has arrived; has entered into the conflict with our great adversary, and utterly subdued him. Jesus, foretold by name hundreds of years before his advent in the flesh, has accomplished the work for which he was raised up: and, having now “ascended up on high and led captivity captive,” he has sent his heralds to “proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound.” This is the very first use he makes of his newly-acquired power. Nor is it an empty proclamation, without any facilities afforded for carrying his gracious purposes into effect: he gives us back for the use and honour of Jehovah all those vessels of which we had been despoiled, and which, though originally formed for the service of God alone, have, through the influence of our great adversary, been prostituted and debased to the vilest uses: yes, all our faculties and powers are now restored by him to their proper office; and the all-sufficient aid of his Spirit is promised to us throughout all our dreary pilgrimage. Our almighty Deliverer has gone further still, and issued his commands to all throughout his vast empire, to succour us in our work, and to impart to us whatsoever we may stand in need of [Note: Ezr_1:1-11.]: the very angels in heaven are enjoined to attend us in all our way, to encamp round about us, to hold us up lest at any time we dash our foot against a stone, and to minister to us in all that our necessities may require.
All this too is offered to us as a free act of mercy on the part of our great Deliverer. It was one of the most extraordinary parts of the Jews’ deliverance from Babylon, that Cyrus should liberate them without any remuneration: but how does it exalt beyond all estimate the value of our redemption, that it is offered to us freely, “without money and without price!”]
2. The effects produced by it—
[When first a soul that has been sinking under a load of sin and guilt is made to hear the tidings of a free and full deliverance, they seem to him “as an idle tale:” he can scarcely believe it possible that such mercy should be vouchsafed to him, and that one who has been all his days a willing captive should be delivered: and, when the joys of this salvation burst upon his soul, he appears to himself to be, as it were, in a dream; so far does the deliverance exceed all that he could previously have conceived. Then his mouth, which was but lately filled with lamentations and complaints, is “filled with laughter, and his tongue with singing [Note: Isa_35:10.]” — — — Nor is the surprise confined to him alone: his friends and neighbours behold with astonishment the change that has taken place in him: they now see the whole course of his life changed: they behold the chains with which he was tied and bound, now loosed; the sins that once had dominion over him, now mortified; and the griefs, which they interpreted as symptoms or forerunners of derangement, now turned to joy, and “thanksgiving and the voice of melody.” So great is the change in their eyes, that though they love it not, they are constrained to admire it, and to acknowledge the hand of God in it; “The Lord hath done great things for them:” and, though they may deride it in public, they envy in their hearts the lot which they affect to despise. As for those who experience the happy change, they thankfully adore their heavenly Benefactor; “The Lord hath done great things for us, whereof we are glad!” — — — They take their harps that have been so long suspended on the willows, and sing with inexpressible delight the songs of Zion.
But the more they have experienced, the more they desire to possess all the fulness of the blessings prepared for them. Gladly would they, if it were possible, have all the remains of sin purged out from their hearts, and all conflicts with it for ever terminated. They pant for the full attainment of the Divine image; and cry with fervour to their God, “Turn again our captivity, O Lord, as the streams in the south!” Still however, not discouraged by the length of their journey, or the difficulties to be surmounted, or the toils which they must undergo, before they shall attain the full object of their desires, they set out in humble dependence on ther God, assured of final and complete success. They are willing to “sow in tears, confident that in due time they shall reap in joy.”]
Address—
1. To those who have experienced some measure of this deliverance—
[You have heard the parallel drawn between the deliverance of the Jews from Babylon, and that of which you are the happy subjects. It remains for you to carry it yet further, and to realize it in its utmost extent. Of all the multitudes who set out on their journey towards Zion, there was not one who was not sensible of the cruel bondage from which he had been delivered; not one who did not feel his obligations to Cyrus as his great deliverer; not one, who did not see that his provision by the way, and his succours at the close of his journey, were the fruits of that same grace that first proclaimed the deliverance: moreover, all of them without exception would feel a consciousness that they were not yet arrived at the place which their souls longed after; but that they were daily proceeding towards it: they felt no inclination to rest satisfied with any thing they met with in the wilderness; but looked forward to the enjoyment of God’s ordinances in Jerusalem as the consummation of their bliss. Now then let it be so with you. Never for a moment lose the remembrance of your former captivity, or of your obligations to the Lord Jesus Christ, who “by his own death has destroyed death, and him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; and hath delivered those who through fear of death were all their life-time subject to bondage.” Never for a moment forget that you are on a journey towards Zion, and that all your fresh springs are in that adorable Saviour, who has redeemed you by his blood. Never for a moment cease to press forward in your heavenly way; but, forgetting what is behind, reach forward, like coursers, to the destined goal. Let all your hopes, and all your happiness be in heaven. In a word, be exactly in the state and habit of your minds, what the liberated captives were in their journey towards Zion. Then will you have attained the perfection of Christian pilgrims, and will in due time possess in all its fulness your destined inheritance.]
2. To those who are yet the bond-slaves of sin and Satan—
[This is the state of every man by nature. It is to little purpose to say, that we are not addicted to any gross iniquity; for “the whole world lieth in wickedness,” or, “in the wicked one:” and if the Captain of our Salvation have not rescued us from the hands of “the strong man armed,” our very peace is a sufficient evidence of our bondage. If you are yet strangers to the experience above described, you are yet in bondage to the great enemy of Zion — — —
But we are authorized to declare that this adversary is cast down; that our Cyrus has prevailed over him; and that liberty is now given to every captive in Babylon to return to Zion. Behold, as a herald of our adorable Saviour, I now announce to you these glad tidings. O! be ye not like too many of that ill-fated nation, who preferred their ease to toils, their bandage to liberty, their dwellings in Babylon to their inheritance in Jerusalem.
Put yourselves under the guidance of the true Zerubbabel, before whom “the mountains shall become a plain.” If you meet with difficulties, know that he has issued his proclamation to all his creatures, to afford you all necessary aid: and if, instead of aiding, they endeavour to obstruct you, he has engaged that all things shall work together for your good. Come out then from Babylon, every one of you; and let this be the one harmonious proposal of you all, “Come, let us go up to Zion, unto the Lord our God.” Fear not but that the object, when attained, will richly recompense all the difficulties of your way. Even in this world your “joys shall be unspeakable and glorified:” but who can conceive the joy that awaits you in the Zion above? How will your mouth then be filled with laughter, and your tongue with singing! How will you then, in concert with all the heavenly hosts, exclaim, “The Lord hath done great things for us, whereof we are glad!” Be content then to “go on your way weeping, bearing precious seed, knowing assuredly that at last you shall come again with rejoicing, bearing your sheaves with you.”]