Isaiah 1:9 Except the LORD of hosts had left to us a very small remnant, we should have been as Sodom, and we should have been like to Gomorrah. 1. God's greatness in the universe. The "Lord of hosts," or Jehovah of hosts. Who are His "hosts"? Angels. Who shall count the number of these troops? He is their Creator and Sustainer. 2. God's authority over good men. He is here represented as having "left a very small remnant." whilst an existences are absolutely His, He has a special interest in the good. He keeps good men here as long as He thinks fit. He removes them at His pleasure. I. THEIR INFLUENCE IS HIGHLY BENEFICENT. From what evil did this remnant deliver the country? The answer will come out with potency by replying to two other questions. 1. What was the moral condition of Sodom and Gomorrah? Their sin was "very grievous" (Genesis 18:20). 2. What was their doom? (Genesis 19:24, 25.) Now, it was from this moral corruption and terrible doom these good people, it is said in our text, delivered others. "Ye are the salt of the earth," History abounds with examples of moral declination, and all hearts are conscious of this gravitating force, What is the counteractive? The life of Christ in man. That life flashes a light upon the corrupt heart of society, and makes it blush. But few will dare to sin in the presence of living holiness. Vice cowers under the radiant eye of virtue. II. Their influence is highly beneficent, HOWEVER FEW THEIR NUMBER. "A very small remnant." A little goodness on this earth goes a great way. Even one man like Moses, Elijah, Paul, Luther, Whitefield, Wesley, may stop the flow of depravity and turn the destinies of an age. Conclusion — 1. The criminal ignorance of nations in relation to their true benefactors 2. The supreme value of Christianity. (D. Thomas, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: Except the LORD of hosts had left unto us a very small remnant, we should have been as Sodom, and we should have been like unto Gomorrah. |
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