Isaiah 57:19 I create the fruit of the lips; Peace, peace to him that is far off, and to him that is near, said the LORD; and I will heal him. I. THE GRAND SUBJECT OF HE GOSPEL PROCLAMATION. "Peace, peace! saith the Lord." It implies a state of previous enmity and quarrel: a state of alarm and disquietude: and a remedy for both. 1. And does not the message of the Gospel find us in a state of enmity? We are not only "by nature children of wrath," but by voluntary choice we have rebelled against our God. 2. And in a state of alarm and disquietude? II. THE UNLIMITED OFFER OF ITS BENEFITS. "To him that is far off, and to him that is near, Peace, peace, saith the Lord." 1. In respect of outward privileges, the Jewish Church was "near," and all other nations were ' far off. 2. In respect of moral character, some may be thought nearer to God, some further off; and still no difference is made. 3. In respect of inward experience, again, some may feel discouraged by the idea that others have greater nearness to God than themselves. 4. In respect of local distance, "God is still no respecter of persons." He orders that His Gospel be "preached in all the world.' III. THE HOLY CHANGE INVARIABLY CONNECTED WITH THE RECEPTION OF THEM. "I will heal him." (J. Jowett, M. A.) Parallel Verses KJV: I create the fruit of the lips; Peace, peace to him that is far off, and to him that is near, saith the LORD; and I will heal him. |
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