443. ISA 54:5. GOD THE HUSBAND OF THE CHURCH

Isa_54:5. God The Husband Of The Church

"Thy Maker is thy husband."’97Isa_54:5.

How unsearchable is the greatness and glory of God. He is the high and lofty one, who inhabiteth eternity, who filleth heaven and earth with his presence, and before whom unnumbered myriads of bright intelligences worship and adore. Yet notwithstanding his supreme majesty and glory, he condescends not only to behold the things done upon the earth, but to visit sinful man with his favor, and to exalt him to dignity, happiness, and heaven. In exhibiting his wonderful grace to man, he stoops and assumes the most close and endearing relationship to him. How surprising that the monarch of the skies should condescend to represent himself as the "husband" of his people. Yet he did so to wayward rebellious Israel, and he does so to all who constitute his church or people now. Each believer may consider the text as addressed to him, "Thy Maker is thy husband." Observe,

I. The Union specified.

"Thy husband." The union when rightly formed is,

1. Grounded in love.

God loved the church, and fixed his gracious affections upon it. The height, and depth, and length, and breadth, of this love, are immeasurable; they surpass all created understanding. It is a union,

2. Most intimate and endearing.

In this union there is a community of interests, and the connection is one of the most close that can be formed. The apostle refers to this in several passages. Such, (and in some respects still more intimate,) is the union between God and his church. By faith we are made recipients of the divine promises, and through them of the divine nature. Believers are said to dwell in God, and God dwells in them 3. It is a union most abiding.

It endures until the death of one of the parties. It is very different to a mere friendly compact, or commercial treaty. Such also is the union between God and his people Believers yield themselves to be his for over in a perpetual covenant never to be broken off again. God engages to be their present salvation, and everlasting portion and reward.

4. It is a union entirely mutual.

Personal interest is lost, and the mutual interests of both is the professed end of this union. The husband careth for the things of his wife, and the wife for the things of her husband. Thus God manifests his sympathy, love, and care, for his church. And the church professes in all things to show forth the glory of God. She engages to hallow his name, to revere his laws, to maintain his ordinances, and to show forth everywhere his praises, by devout and fervent thanksgiving to his name. Consider,

II. The Formation of this Union.

1. It originated in God’s amazing love.

God fixed his compassionate regards on fallen, sinful man. He purposed his restoration to himself. He determined to raise him to dignity and bliss, and this through the conjugal union with himself.

2. It was rendered possible by the work of Jesus Christ.

God as the fountain of light, and purity, and love, could not be closely and complacently united to ignorance, impiety, and sin. He therefore sent forth his Son in our nature, to magnify his law, to atone for sin by his death, and as mediator, to be the reconciler and the medium of union between God and man. "God was in Christ reconciling the world unto himself," &c., 2Co_5:19.

3. To this union God invites sinners in his blessed gospel.

He compares the provision of the gospel to a nuptial feast. He represents his spiritual kingdom as being like unto "A certain king who made a marriage for his son," &c., Mat_22:1-13. The great end of the gospel is to bring men to a state of gracious and saving union with God.

4. This union is consummated on the day when the believer yields himself to God.

Faith in God’s word brings our souls into gracious and acceptable contact with Deity. To those who receive his gracious overtures of mercy, he gives the privilege of adoption, of union to himself, and of hope as to the bestowment of eternal life.

III. The Advantages of this Union to Believers

1. It is their exaltation How mean and low and wretched in their natural state. How dignified and exalted when the bride of Jehovah. This is rank and elevation above that of angels. Dignity which human language cannot express.

2. It is their unspeakable riches.

Poor and insolvent, by this union they become enriched with the unsearchable riches of his grace. The blessed God, in all his attributes and glories, is their portion, and present and eternal reward. "All are yours," &c. "Heirs of God."

3. It is their present blessedness.

Union with God is associated with comfort, peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. The love of God is shed abroad in their hearts. They rejoice too with joy unspeakable and full of glory. God’s favor is their constant enjoyment, and in the radiant beams of his smiling countenance, they have overflowing bliss.

4. It will be their everlasting salvation.

Salvation intrinsically consists in the soul’s union with God. And this union, which in heaven will be immediate, fill, and unceasing, will be the very essence of that glory and happiness which the redeemed will enjoy forever and ever. This will annihilate all sources of evil, and be the blissful river of endless life.

Application

1. From this union diversified duties and obligations arise. From this union God claims supreme love, reverence, subjection, and obedience. He requires unfailing fidelity, confidence, and dependence. He requires zeal for his glory. Jealousy of his honor. Activity in his service, and entire devotedness to his cause.

2. Urge upon sinners immediate self dedication to God. Every possible reason and motive should induce them so to do. "Seek first the kingdom of God," &c. This is the basis of all good, both for body and soul, earth and heaven, time and eternity.

Autor: JABEZ BURNS