Isaiah 62:1

THE FUTURE GLORY OF THE CHURCH

Isaiah 62:1. For Zion’s sake will I not hold my peace, &c.

I. The implied obscurity of Zion.

The modern Church is obscured—

1. By its divisions. 2. By its assimilation to the world. 3. By its peculiar position as an agency in progress, working for the world’s highest good.

II. The ultimate extension of the Church’s glory.

This is the night of the Church’s history; she is now in the shade. But as the morning sunlight bursts on the scene, banishing every lingering shred of twilight, and revealing the rarest scene of life and loveliness that was before but dimly seen, so shall her righteousness by and by appear. There are indications of the coming glory—

1. In the triumphs of the Gospel at home. 2. In the salient features of the present age (see p. 333).

III. The Divine energy is pledged to accomplish the Church’s future glory.

Inspiring fact! Jehovah is ceaselessly, in speech and action, working for His people. In this we have the inviolable guarantee of Zion’s future glory.

1. God’s Word is His voice. This voice has sounded through the ages of the past, protesting against every prevalent form of iniquity, instructing the nations in sublimest truths, and preparing them for a loftier destiny. Like a many-toned bell it still peals through the world in strains at once monitory and joyous. Never shall that voice be hushed till its mission is fulfilled, 2. God’s providence is His action. The world is governed by Jehovah in the interest and furtherance of the higher purposes of Christianity. 3. The motive influencing the Divine energy—the love of God for Zion. God loves His Church, because He sees in her a photograph of Himself, a reflection of His own image, the embodiment and universal manifestation of His own glory. She is the fruit of sufferings unparalleled, &c. His own honour is involved in the ultimate triumph and glory of His Church.

Lessons.

1. We see the vanity and groundlessness of our fears for the Church’s safety and ultimate victory. 2. We see the blessedness of consecrated service for the Church of God.—George Barlow: The Study, vol. iii. p. 450, &c.

THE LOVE OF THE CHURCH.

I. THE PURE AND HOLT INCENTIVES THAT MOVED THE PROPHET TO RELIGIOUS ACTIONS.

1. For Zion’s sake. He loved Zion for the beauty, joy, strength, and safety she afforded the world. Analogies between Zion and the Church (Psalms 48:0).

2. For Jerusalem’s sake (see p. 436).

II. THE EARNEST RESOLUTIONS OF THE PROPHET IN REGARD TO THE DISCHARGE OF THE APPROPRIATE DUTIES OF HIS OFFICE AND MINISTRY TOWARD ZION AND JERUSALEM. I. He resolved not to hold his peace. He was not only a praying prophet, but a preaching prophet,

2. He was resolved not to rest or cease from his ministerial labours.

III. THE WISE AND USEFUL ENDS THE PROPHET HOPED TO ACCOMPLISH.

1. The establishment of righteousness in Zion and Jerusalem. 2. The promotion of their salvation.—Geo. Nestor: The Preachers’ Monthly, vol. vii. pp. 50–52.

The prophets were true philanthropists—their love of country was deep and ardent. The heaven-kindled passion was not quenched by afflictions however sore, or by apostasy however general. O that their mantles might fall on us! that we may experience a quenchless passion to promote the welfare of Zion. Notice—

I. THE SUBJECTS OF THE PROPHET’S SOLICITUDE. To the devout Jew “Zion” was the dearest spot on earth. Zion remains “beautiful fur situation,” &c. The temple which graced its heights was its glory. Type of the Christian Church (1 Peter 2:5).

II. THE MODE OF MANIFESTING HIS SOLICITUDE.

1. “I will not hold my peace.” He resolved to lift up his voice and cry aloud—(1) Before God. Prayer the natural outlet of the believer’s solicitude. Let us plead with God as did Abraham, Moses, Daniel, &c. Power of prayer. (2) Before men. There is a time to be silent, and a time to speak. Those who are deeply concerned for the welfare of Zion will be sure to speak. 2. “I will not rest.” Our solicitude and activity must be ceaseless. A spasmodic and fitful zeal is unhealthy. Perseverance is nowhere more needful than in religion. Whether men hear or forbear, it should be ours to give “line upon line,” &c.

III. THE BRILLIANT RESULTS DESIRED. The allusion is to a marriage ceremony, &c.—Benjamin Browne.