Isaiah 11:6-9 The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid… I. The text suggests some thoughts about the GENTLENESS AND HUMILITY OF HIM WHO CAME TO US AS A CHILD. Never was a child born into this world in humbler fashion than the Child who came to redeem it. Fit prelude to that strange, solemn, sorrowful, yet infinitely beautiful life! Surely, If humility depends at all on outward circumstances, this "little Child" was humble indeed. But the inward spirit was in perfect keeping with the outward circumstances. The little Child was never lost in the Man. II. WAS THIS PROPHECY NOT FULFILLED IN MANY WAYS BY THE CHILD OF BETHLEHEM? He led the herald angels from their highest ministrations in the realms of glory down to the plains of Bethlehem. He led the star that travelled ever westwards until it "came and stood over where the young Child was." He led the sages who came with their typical offerings of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. He led the aged prophet, who, in the temple of Jerusalem, caught up the young Child from His mother's arms, and burst into that glad Dismission Hymn which has become incorporated with the liturgies of the Christian Church. Think what marvellous leading is here! III. DOES NOT THE PROPHECY STILL RECEIVE DAILY FULFILMENT in the history and experience of the world? What is it that brings and binds men to Christ? Is it the Divinity of His person, the glory of His miracles, the thunder of His power, the attraction of heaven, the terrors of hell? Ask a missionary who has laboured for many years among the heathen what has been the element in the Gospel which has drawn men away from their idols to Christ. He will tell you that it was not the Divine power, but the human tenderness that won their hearts. Stern warriors become gentle in His presence. This is He for whom the world has been waiting, and before whom it will bow. IV. Perhaps YOUR OWN EXPERIENCE will help you to understand the prophet's words. Think of your own personal relation to Christ. What was it that first drew you to Him, and now keeps you in His track? It was the gentleness and beauty of His character — the "little Child" that is forever enshrined in the person of Christ. Or look around you, and see the marvellous power of child leading in the familiar experience of life. V. It may be that the words will touch for some of us THE SPRING THAT UNLOCKS SECRET AND VERY SACRED MEMORIES. We said, with the stricken parent of old, "I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me." But are we very sure of this? Are the mysteries of life and death so clear to us, that we' dare not think of child ministers and child leadings continued in spite of death? VI. "A little child shall lead them." The words may have yet ANOTHER FULFILMENT, IN "THE LAND THAT IS VERY FAR OFF." "Of such is the kingdom of heaven," the Saviour said, as He took the children in His arms. Perhaps when our children sing, "Little children shall he there," they touch a truth which their elders are too slow to believe. It may be among the child ministries of heaven to give the first greetings to those who received them in the helplessness of their earthly infancy; and many a weeper may begin to gather "the far-off interest of tears," when "a little child shall lead them" through the forum of the elders to the throne of the King. (J. C. Cameron.) Parallel Verses KJV: The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them. |
    |