Isaiah 51:1-8 Listen to me, you that follow after righteousness, you that seek the LORD: look to the rock from where you are hewn… All the invitations and exhortations of the Word of God. for spiritual blessings are accompanied with a description of character. I. THE WORSHIPPERS DESCRIBED. 1. These characters who follow after and seek after must be spiritually alive. It would be strange to talk of a corpse in a churchyard following after or seeking any favours at our hands. As strange would it be to talk of a post in the street following after us, and pursuing us for the same purpose. 2. There is a stirring in the living persons that begins to render them somewhat conspicuous. Wherever there is this stirring inquiry, this dissatisfaction with self, and a stirring to be right for eternity, there is life Divine. 3. Then, there must be sincerity. "Then shall ye find Me, when ye seek Me with your whole heart." 4. We will go on to notice their eager following after righteousness. It must be a righteousness that will justify. A righteousness that will sanctify. A righteousness that will glorify. It is imperishable. 5. Follow on to the next description of character. "Ye that seek the Lord.' Mark a few characteristics of these seekers. They seek Him privately. They seek Him in the place where His honour dwelleth. In His Word. Perseveringly. Seeking souls are well known in heaven, earth and hell. II. THE EXHORTATION GIVEN. "Look unto the rock," etc. (J. Irons.) Parallel Verses KJV: Hearken to me, ye that follow after righteousness, ye that seek the LORD: look unto the rock whence ye are hewn, and to the hole of the pit whence ye are digged. |
    |