Isaiah 51:4-6 Listen to me, my people; and give ear to me, O my nation: for a law shall proceed from me… Time works mighty changes in human life. Amidst the ceaseless whirl of mutation, is there nothing unchangeable? Is life made up entirely of volatile contingencies? Has it no absolute elements? Oh, for a rock in this ebbing sea, where we might stand secure as the wreck of years floats by! This Scripture responds to our questions, and meets our aspirations. The word "law" designates God's revelation; "judgment" and "righteousness" are interchangeable terms, expressing the one idea — rectitude. The great truths, therefore, enfolded in this rich oriental garb, are that rectitude and salvation are the elements of God's revelation; and that these elements are the absolute in human history. I. THEY ARE FOR ALL LANDS — world-wide in their aspect — "a light of the people." Man is, confessedly, a corrupt intelligence; and, in the nature of things, a knowledge of his state is essential to his improvement. Will he ever seek a remedy or ask for a refuge until he has felt the disease or descried the peril? Whence comes this discovery? Nothing less than a special revelation of rectitude can meet the case. "By the law is the knowledge of sin." Next comes the other element — "salvation." Each of these two elements of our religion is equally necessary for man everywhere. The value, however, of each depends upon mutual connection; each is useless by itself. II. THESE BLESSINGS ARE FOR ALL TIMES, AS WELL AS FOR ALL LANDS. "The heavens shall vanish away like smoke," etc. These words suggest three solemn considerations — 1. That man is related to two distinct systems of things, the one involving the "heavens and the earth," the other "righteousness and salvation" — the one material, the other spiritual. This twofold relation is a peculiarity of our history. The other tenants of the globe are related to the material as we are. But with the spiritual they appear to have no connection. 2. That one of the systems to which man is related is transient, the other is permanent. 3. That the permanent system should command man's chief concern. Hear the sum of this address: — Beware of practical materialism. (D. Thomas, D.D.) Parallel Verses KJV: Hearken unto me, my people; and give ear unto me, O my nation: for a law shall proceed from me, and I will make my judgment to rest for a light of the people. |
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