Isaiah 12:4-6 And in that day shall you say, Praise the LORD, call on his name, declare his doings among the people… There is a jubilant strain throughout these verses; not, however, without a sense of some sacred duty to be performed. We learn - I. THAT THE CHURCH OF CHRIST MAY WELL SPEAK IN THE ACCENTS OF EXULTATION. The terms of the prophecy do not seem to be satisfied with anything less than Messianic blessings; they fit perfectly the estate to which Christ has called us; they belong to that "kingdom of heaven" of which the Son of man had so much to say (see Matthew 13.). The Church may exult in that: 1. God has done such great things for her, in (1) the large and long preparation, through many ages, for her redemption; (2) the supreme act of Divine revelation in the person of his Son; (3) the wonderful sacrifice of himself he made on its behalf (2 Corinthians 8:9); (4) the lofty privileges to which he has summoned it - holy service, affectionate sonship, eager-hearted heirship. 2. God himself, the mighty and victorious One, is dwelling in the midst of it. "Great is the Holy One." If the family is proud of its honored father, the army of its invincible captain, the nation of its illustrious sovereign, how much more shall the Church exult in its almighty and victorious Lord! He is great in all the elements of greatness - in external majesty, in intrinsic excellency, in overcoming energy, in transcendent beauty, in the everlasting character of his kingdom. II. THAT EXULTATION DOES WELL TO PASS SOON INTO HOLY AND BENEFICENT ACTIVITY. Blending with these accents of triumph, and harmonizing with them, is the voice of exhortation,' the summons to useful activity "Praise the Lord;" "Call upon his Name;" "Declare his doings;" "Be this known [let this be known] in all the earth." Jehovah's greatness could only be known among the nations by the united and continuous testimony of the people of God. The glories of his grace, as they shine in the face of Jesus Christ, are to be beheld by all peoples; but they must be reflected from the lives and published by the lips of his faithful servants. It is the privilege and the duty of the Church to carry the knowledge of his Name and truth to the utmost ends of the earth. It is well to rejoice, "to sing for joy," to indulge in pious exultation; it is better to act in such a way that neighboring nations (cities, districts, streets, homes) shall draw from the wells of this great salvation the waters of eternal life; better, both because (1) we communicate blessing thereby, and because (2) we gain increase of spiritual worth by so doing. - C. Parallel Verses KJV: And in that day shall ye say, Praise the LORD, call upon his name, declare his doings among the people, make mention that his name is exalted. |
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