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THE DUTY OF THANKFULNESS FOR GOD’S MERCIES
THE prophets are chiefly occupied with reproving the evils which prevailed in their day, and with denouncing, both on Israel and the surrounding nations, the judgments they had merited by their multiplied transgressions. But occasionally they change their voice, and, as heralds of mercy, proclaim to all, but to Israel more especially, the blessings which God has in reserve for them in the latter day. In performing this office they quite exult; and, when they have begun, they scarcely know how to end, their benevolent congratulations. In the former part of this chapter the prophet brings his accusations against the Jews, who, disregarding the warnings which God in his providence had given them by the judgments visibly inflicted upon others, persisted in their iniquities without shame or remorse [Note: ver. 1–7.]. But, in the latter part of it, he launches forth into a subject more congenial with his feelings, and announces, both to the Jewish and Gentile world, that God had designs of love towards them, and would incorporate them all in one blessed society, and restore them all to his favour. In the address which I have just read to you he is peculiarly animated. We may consider it as delivered,
I. To the Jews, prospectively, in a way of anticipation—
The events referred to are spoken of as already past, even though at this time, after the lapse of twenty-five centuries, we see not yet the predictions fulfilled. But this mode of speaking is common to all the prophets, who, knowing the unerring certainty of their predictions, look through intervening ages as through a telescope, and see the objects of which they speak accomplished before their eyes.
Now here the prophet felicitates the Jews as already liberated from the judgments which they had suffered, or which yet at distant periods impended over them—
[They were to be carried captive to Babylon and to Assyria, and to be utterly destroyed by the Roman power, and to be scattered over the face of the whole earth as objects of hatred and contempt amongst all people. And it is a fact, that no people that ever existed upon earth were ever so universally despised, and hated, and persecuted as they. But the prophet says to them by anticipation, “Thy judgments are taken away.” This has already in part been “fulfilled.” And it is certain that in God’s good time her judgments shall be so perfectly taken away, as not to leave even the appearance, and scarcely the recollection, of them behind: “Thou shalt forget the shame of thy youth, and shalt not remember the reproach of thy widowhood any more. For thy Maker is thine husband. … the God of the whole earth shall he be called [Note: Isa_54:1-10. See also Zec_1:15-17. In a Discourse written on this subject, almost all the passages here referred to, under the first head especially, should be cited at full length.]” So completely shall this be done, that Jerusalem shall yet become a name and a praise amongst all the people upon earth, as soon as ever the Lord shall have turned back the captivity with which his people are now oppressed [Note: ver. 19. with Isa_65:17-19.].]
But, to enter more distinctly into this subject—
[Three things are here predicted as grounds of unutterable joy: First; Their enemies shall all be cast out; next, The Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ, shall dwell in the midst of them; and lastly, There shall be an utter end of their troubles.
Their enemies shall all be cast out. When the time shall arrive for the full accomplishment of this, the combination against them will be formidable in the extreme. But “all of their enemies shall fall for Zion’s sake [Note: Isa_54:16-17.]:” yea, if there were “a confederacy of the whole earth against them,” the Jews shall consume them “as easily as a torch of fire consumes a sheaf [Note: Zec_12:3; Zec_12:6; Zec_12:9.],” and as certainly “as a lion prevails over a flock of sheep [Note: Mic_5:8-9; Mic_5:15.]:” such “a burthensome stone shall Jerusalem be, to crush all her opponents;” and to such an abject state shall she reduce them, that, “like serpents, they shall lick the dust of the earth before her,” and be “like worms that dare not to crawl out of their holes through fear [Note: Mic_7:15-17.].”
Then shall the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ, descend to dwell in the midst of them. This is repeated in most glowing terms by the prophet in the second verse following my text [Note: ver. 17.]; and is affirmed also by the prophet Zechariah [Note: Zec_2:10-12.], and by Ezekiel also, who declares, that “they shall dwell in the land where their fathers dwelt,” and that the true “David, their Messiah, shall be king over them;” and that “God’s tabernacle shall be with them;” and his presence so conspicuous in the midst of them, that “all the heathen world shall acknowledge them as his peculiar people [Note: Eze_37:24-28.].” As to the personal reign of Christ on earth for a thousand years, I can say nothing to it. But I have no doubt, his manifestations of himself to them will be beyond all former example glorious; and his communications of his grace and peace to them far exceed all the precedents of former times, “the light of the moon being as the light of the sun, and the light of the sun seven-fold, as the light of seven days [Note: Isa_30:26.].” Under the Mosaic dispensation they saw the Saviour as in a shadow: we see him as in a glass or mirror: but “the Jews in that day shall see him eye to eye,” and face to face [Note: Isa_52:8. with 1Co_13:12.].
Then shall there be to them an utter end of all their troubles. “They shall not see evil any more.” Then “will God take out of their hands the cup of trembling; and they shall drink it no more [Note: Isa_51:21-23.].” “No more will he hide his face from them [Note: Eze_39:25-29.]:” “the days of their mourning shall be ended [Note: Isa_60:15-20.]:” and they shall thenceforth be for a name and a praise to God amongst all the nations of the earth [Note: ver. 20.].”
And now I ask, is not this a ground for most exalted joy? So Jehovah himself regards it: “Behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind. Be you glad and rejoice for ever in that which I create; for behold, I create Jerusalem a rejoicing, and her people a joy [Note: Isa_65:17-19; Isa_49:13.].” I call upon you then, my brethren, not to be indifferent to this sublime subject. If at the time when the prophecy was delivered, the prospect of these great events was a ground of joy, much more should it be so now, when the accomplishment of them is no near at hand. Could I address all the nation of Israel dispersed throughout the world, I would say to them, “Sing, O daughter of Zion; shout, O Israel; rejoice and be glad with all the heart, O daughter of Jerusalem;” for thy complete redemption draweth nigh. I already see, as it were, “the glory of the Lord revealed to thee;” and in the name of the Most High God I proclaim unto thee, “Thy warfare is accomplished; thine iniquity is pardoned; and thou shalt receive at the Lord’s hands mercies double” the amount of all the sins thou hast committed, and of all the judgments thou hast merited [Note: Isa_40:1-5.].]
But we must not confine the prophet’s address to the Jews: whilst it was delivered to them in a way of anticipation, it was delivered also,
II. To us immediately in a way of congratulation—
It is in reference to converts from among the Gentile world that the prophet says, “Then I will turn to the people a pure language, that they may all call upon the name of the Lord, to serve him with one consent,” that is (as the margin translates it), with one shoulder; the whole world, Jews and Gentiles, drawing together harmoniously, like well-disciplined oxen, in the same blessed yoke. The truth is, that every soul, on its conversion to God, is brought into this blessed state, and made a partaker of all these privileges. The only difference between the Millenarians and us is, that we enjoy, in the earlier dawn, the light which they will behold in its meridian splendour. To all of you then who have believed in Christ, and through him been made the children of the living God, I say, “Sing and shout, yea, be glad and rejoice with all your hearts;” for “Jerusalem is as much your mother,” as she was of the Jews of old [Note: Gal_4:26.]. To you then I say,
“The Lord hath taken away your judgments”—
[Think what guilt you have contracted, and what condemnation you have merited, by your numberless transgressions in thought, word, and deed, from the first moment of your existence, even to the present hour: yet, if you have believed in Christ, I am authorized to declare, that “your sins are all blotted out as a morning cloud [Note: Isa_43:25.],” that “God has cast them all behind his back into the very depth of the sea [Note: Mic_7:19.],” and that “there is now no condemnation to you [Note: Rom_8:1.]” — — —]
“He hath also cast out all your enemies”—
[You well know, you cannot but know, how the world, and the flesh, and the devil, have had dominion over you, and led you captive at their will. But “by faith you have been enabled to overcome the world [Note: 1Jn_5:5.]:” “you have also crucified the flesh, with it saffections and lusts [Note: Gal_5:24.]:” and “from the snares of the devil are you recovered [Note: 2Ti_2:26.].” He is a vanquished enemy, “judged by God [Note: Joh_16:11.],” and “cast out from his dominion [Note: Joh_12:31.],” yea, and “overcome by you [Note: 1Jn_2:14.],” and so restrained, that he “cannot touch you [Note: 1Jn_5:18.],” though, like a roaring lion, he is incessantly seeking to destroy you. He is indeed still permitted to assault you: but his efforts are all in vain: the prayer of faith “puts him utterly to flight [Note: Jam_4:7.];” and in a little time “he shall be bruised for ever under your feet [Note: Rom_16:20.].” Whatever other enemies you may have, they shall all be put to shame, and, “through him that loved you, you shall be more than conqueror over all [Note: Rom_8:37.]” — — —]
“To you also does the Lord Jesus manifest himself as he does not unto the world [Note: Joh_14:22.]”—
[“He dwells in your very hearts by faith [Note: Eph_3:17.].” He is altogether “one with you,” “one body with you [Note: Eph_5:30.],” and “one spirit also [Note: 1Co_6:17.].” So gloriously does he reveal himself unto you, that “you behold his glory, the glory as of the only-begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth [Note: Joh_1:14.];” you so “behold his glory, as to be changed by it into his image, from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord [Note: 2Co_3:18.];” and you are enabled by him so to “comprehend the breadth, and length, and depth, and height of his unsearchable love, as to be filled by means of it with all the fulness of God [Note: Eph_3:18.].” In a word, “He lives in you, and is your very life [Note: Gal_2:20.];” and from that very circumstance you are assured, that “at his future coming you shall appear with him in glory [Note: Col_3:4.]” — — —]
From this time also you may bid an eternal farewell to evil of every kind—
[You may have trials; but “they shall all work together for your good [Note: Rom_8:28.]:” they shall all prove only blessings in disguise. Moral evil shall no more prevail over you. Penal evil, so far as it is the loving correction of a Father, you may yet feel; but, as a vindictive process of a Judge, you shall never feel it to all eternity. Not one of your sins shall ever be remembered by him [Note: Heb_10:17.]; nor shall any one of your corruptions retain an allowed ascendant over you [Note: Rom_6:14.]. God engages that he will “perfect that which concerneth you [Note: Psa_138:8.],” and “finish in you the good work he has begun [Note: Php_1:6.].” Though you be the least of his little ones, “he will not suffer you to perish [Note: Mat_18:14.]:” nor shall any prevail to “pluck you out of his hands [Note: Joh_10:28-29.].” Therefore, even whilst you are yet conflicting with evils of various kinds, you may rest assured, that “none of them, how great or formidable soever they may be, shall ever separate you from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord [Note: Rom_8:38-39.].”]
And is not here abundant ground for joy?
[Well does David say, “Let the children of Zion be joyful in their King [Note: Psa_149:2.].” I say then to you, in the name of Almighty God, “Rejoice in the Lord alway [Note: Php_4:4.];” “rejoice evermore [Note: 1Th_5:14.]:” yea, “though now ye see not your beloved Saviour with your bodily eyes, yet, believing in him, it is both your privilege and duty to rejoice in him with joy unspeakable and glorified [Note: 1Pe_1:8.].” In fact, “if you do not sing, and shout, and rejoice in him with all your heart, the very stones will cry out against you [Note: Luk_19:40.].”
Whilst I say this, I am far from recommending to you a tumultuous joy. A tender contrite spirit must be retained in the midst of all your joy. Even in heaven are his redeemed people all prostrate before him, whilst they sing with all imaginable love and gratitude his praise [Note: Rev_7:11.]. A similar prostration of spirit I recommend to you: and, if only that be preserved, your joy can never be too exquisite, nor your praises too devout — — —]
Application—
[But do these congratulations belong to all of you, my brethren? Must I not rather say to many of you, “Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep [Note: Jam_4:9.]?” Many, I fear, have never sought the removal of their judgments, so that “the wrath of God abideth on them to this very hour [Note: Joh_3:36.].” They are still, as much as ever, the bond-slaves of sin and Satan. As for union and communion with the Lord Jesus Christ, they are yet strangers to it, and know nothing of “a life of faith upon the Son of God, as having loved them, and given himself for them.” What then shall I say to such persons? That “they shall not see evil any more?” No: I must rather say that nothing but evil is before them, both in this world and the next—an unholy life, an unhappy death, a miserable eternity. “O that mine head were waters, and mine eyes a fountain of tears, that I might weep over them day and night [Note: Jer_9:1.]!” I pray you, brethren, see what mercies you lose, what blessings you despise. Were you but penitent, and believers in Christ, all the congratulations which we have been contemplating would be yours. The Lord grant that ye may avail yourselves of the opportunity now afforded you, and that “this day of grace may be the day of salvation” to all your souls [Note: 2Co_6:2.]!]