Isaiah 4:3 - Homilies By R. Tuck

The roll of the living.

"Every one that is written among the living in Jerusalem." For the figure of "Jehovah's book," or the "book of life," see Exodus 32:32 ; Psalms 56:8 ; Psalms 69:28 ; Malachi 3:16 ; Daniel 12:1 ; Philippians 4:3 ; Revelation 13:8 ; Revelation 21:27 . Matthew Henry says, "Those that are kept alive in killing, dying times were written for life in the book of Divine providence; and shall we not suppose those who are rescued from a greater death to be such as were written in the Lamb's book of life?" We have a further description of them, which really explains their being on the roll; they are "called holy." Now, God never calls people what they are not. In olden times names were always significant, and expressed the personality to which they were applied; thus Jacob was called Israel, because he was a "prince." We have, then, two answering views of the godly man. Here he is " holy ;" in heaven his name is in the "book of the living." Following this out in a meditative way, we dwell on—

I. THE BELIEVER 'S PRESENT CHARACTER . In some sense he is "holy," for God calls him " holy ." Illustrate the following senses in which we may be called "holy," even while we tarry amidst the human frailties:

1. Holy, as separated from self-service and the world's service.

2. Holy, as consecrated to God's service.

3. Holy, as called to pursue holiness.

4. Holy, as in some measure actually holy.

5. Holy, as standing, in the holiness of the Lord Jesus Christ.

II. THE BELIEVER 'S ETERNAL SECURITY . Name is among the living ones. Illustrate:

1. The necessary permanence of all goodness. Evil can die; good can never die. Eternal life is in everything and every one who is good.

2. God rewards holiness with immortality. That is the "crown of life." Upon all goodness God's special favor and protection rests.

3. The holy are the natural citizens of the heavenly, which is the secure eternal home. How, then, can our names be written in the book of life? Illustrate

If, through grace, we are numbered among the holy here, then one day the great voice will speak to us out of the heavenly and say, "He that is holy, let him be holy still."—R.T.