Zechariah 8:23 Thus said the LORD of hosts; In those days it shall come to pass, that ten men shall take hold out of all languages of the nations… I. THE ATTRACTORS. They are called Jews. Generally a very despised people. Were all the countries to come to learn of them? Yes, to learn of them the knowledge of "Him whom to know is life eternal." Jesus Christ, His disciples, the writers of the New Testament, etc., were all Jews. The word Jew is not used here so as to distinguish Israelites from Gentiles, so much as saints from sinners; the Church of God, whose members may be derived from any nation, as they may live in any period. II. THE SUBJECTS OF THIS ATTRACTION. "Ten men," etc. This marks the number and also the variety of the proselytes or converts. It means simply a large and not a definite number. Among the Jews ten was the number of perfection. When they would render a number countless, they did it by attaching the word ten. By the ignorance of some, and the sneers of others, and the bigotry of still more, the people of God are now often improperly diminished. If there be a sense in which they may be considered a few, there is a sense also in which they are many, very many. A time is coming when a "nation shall be born in a day." Whatever croakers may think or do, there are better days for the world before us, than the world has ever yet seen. Variety is indicated as well as number. "Out of the languages of the nations." The Jewish religion, though of Divine origin, never could, in the nature of things, have become a general or universal religion. There is nothing in Christianity that is local, nothing that is restrictive. It regards man, not so much circumstantially considered, as essentially. It regards man in his grand wants. The Gospel provides for the whole of these wants. III. THE GROUNDS OF THE ATTRACTION. The Divine presence. As to His essential presence God is with all His creatures. God's presence in the Way of promise or privilege means something distinguishable from the perfection of His nature. God is surely with such persons as He was not once; surely He is with such persons as these, as He is not now with others. IV. THE MEDIUM OF THIS ATTRACTION. It is the knowledge of their state and privilege. Nothing can affect us unless it be known. Though others may make known their religion, they must principally make it known themselves; and for this purpose they must not only be religious, but they must appear religious. Never be ashamed of your religion. If you have any religion, it will not be easy to conceal it; it will break out some way or other. Repentance will get into the eye, and be seen in tears. Meekness will sit in a man's face, and smile like a fine morning in May. It is not easy to restrain powerful emotion. Practically make known your religion to others: actions speak louder than words. Let your tempers tell; let your humility under applause tell; let your liberality with growing wealth tell; let your patience under affliction tell; let your readiness to forgive injuries tell. Let all these tell whose you are, what you are, whence you are born, and whither you are bound. V. THE EFFECT OF THE ATTRACTION. Knowledge is necessary to influence, but all knowledge is not influential. Uninfluential knowledge is worse than none. The knowledge of these people was effective; it constrained them to "lay hold," etc. This is a simple and striking expression. It reminds of the little child pulling at his mother's clothes. Man is a social creature as soon as he comes under the power of religion: the social principle will be sanctified as well as other things; and the man will now be able easily enough (though you could not pull him away before) to give up the scenes of vice and vanity. Conclusion — 1. See what it is that makes people valuable, and which should render them interesting and inviting to us. 2. Think of those who, instead of feeling the Divine presence an attraction, feel it to be a repulsion. 3. If such advantages are derivable from connection with the pious, be you concerned to obtain union with them. 4. Let your religion be not only impressive but attractive. Some professors have so much of the repulsive about them that it is not likely any person will ever "take hold of their skirts, saying, We will go with you." Whitfield says, "God lives with some that I should not live with, and that I could not live with." (William Jay.) Parallel Verses KJV: Thus saith the LORD of hosts; In those days it shall come to pass, that ten men shall take hold out of all languages of the nations, even shall take hold of the skirt of him that is a Jew, saying, We will go with you: for we have heard that God is with you. |
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