610. ISA 52:13-15. THE CHARACTER AND WORK OF THE MESSIAH

Isa_52:13-15. The Character and Work of the Messiah

By The Hon. And Rev. G. T. Noel, M. A.

Vicar Of Bainham, Kent.

"Behold, my servant shall deal prudently. He shall be exalted and extolled, and be very high. As many were astonished at thee; (his visage was so marred more than any man, and his form more than the sons of men:) so shall he sprinkle many nations; the kings shall shut their mouths at him: for that which had not been told them shall they see; and that which they had not heard shall they consider."’97Isa_52:13-15.

Three subjects principally claim our attention in this prophetic record:’97The introduction of Christianity into the world, by the mysterious sufferings of its Divine Founder; its complete diffusion over the earth; and the process by which that diffusion will apparently be accomplished. Each of these points is full of momentous interest. Lot us, then, briefly advert to’97

I. The introduction of Christianity into the world, by the mysterious sufferings of its Divine flounder.

"Behold, my servant!’97Many were astonished at thee: his visage was so marred more than any man, and his form more than the sons of men."

This "astonishment of many" evidently refers to the inconsistency apparent, between the high pretensions and the depressed condition of this Servant of God. He had been foretold as "the Desire of all nations," Hag_2:7.; the Shiloh, unto whom should be the gathering of the people, Gen_49:10; the Ruler, who should come forth from Judah, to sit upon the throne of David; upon whose shoulders the government should be laid’97and as, emphatically, the "Wonderful" and the "Counsellor," Isa_9:6, Isa_9:7. A sordid and earthly interpretation had enshrined these promises in the hearts of the Jewish nation. The Jewish patriot hailed, in expectation, the brilliant hour in which the Messiah should break to shivers the chains which held his country in subjection to the Roman yoke; while the man of narrow and selfish ambition, rejoiced in the vision which gleamed before his eyes, when the descendants of Abraham should hold dominion over the prostrate nations of the world.

When, therefore, the Saviour of the world appeared in the lowly garb of the son of the carpenter of Nazareth; when he shunned every effort for personal aggrandizement; when he resisted every popular movement to advance his regal claims; when he put forth his power only to heal the diseased and to comfort the wretched; when, with a humility which knew no parallel, and with a sympathy which evinced no exclusion, he constantly mingled with the meanest and most despised of his countrymen;’97then the mortified expectations of the Jewish rulers burst with tremendous efficacy on his devoted head.

The evidence in favor of his high claims was speedily examined, and as speedily rejected. That evidence was indeed strong, and clear, and palpable. His character was unimpeached; his benevolence was diffusive; his power was undeniable. "Never man spake like this man;" and, "It was never so seen in Israel," Joh_7:46; Mat_9:33. The accents of his lips had more than once controlled the swellings of the deep, and startled the inhabitants of the dead. "He saved others!" was the testimony extorted from his enemies at his dying hour. But the union, in his destiny, of power and of suffering’97of dignity and contempt’97of riches to others and of poverty to himself’97was the source of astonishment to many. In this destiny, the exhibition of every moral beauty was blended with the exhibition of every form of terror and distress. Angels looked on, and wondered, and adored.

In truth, the plan of Christianity, with its introduction into the world, is far above the calculations of human sagacity. It proved, accordingly, "to the Jews a stumbling-block, and to the Greeks foolishness;" nevertheless, to him who believeth it has ever proved, and it will still prove to be, "Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God," 1Co_1:23, 1Co_1:24. Let us notice,

II. The declaration of the prophet with regard to the universal diffusion of the religion of Christ on the earth. "My servant shall deal prudently. He shall be exalted, and extolled, and be very high."

1. The expression, "He shall deal prudently," is, in the margin, translated, "He shall prosper;" and thus the whole clause is declarative of the same truth’97the triumph and success of the Son of God. If many were astonished at his humiliation, a far greater number shall be astonished at his exaltation.

2. This grand and glorious achievement he effected by means that came not within the range of mortal discernment. It was by death that he conquered Death. It was by a perfect obedience in action and in suffering, that he became the second Adam’97the spiritual Head of a new and happier race. He "was delivered for our offences, and raised again for our justification," Rom_4:25; and thus revived from the dead, he shortly "divided the spoil with the strong.’ He planted his religion on the earth, opposed by hostile scorn, and relentless malice, and despotic power. In a few years, the banner of the cross waved upon the conquered fortresses of Paganism, and enlisted under its folds the great and mighty of the earth. Yet no earthly weapon had been raised in its defence. The cause of Christ achieved its victories by its own inherent power. It was resistless by its truth, and by the silent operation of the Spirit of truth. Its adherents were, indeed, strong; but it was in faith, and purity, and charity. Thus the Servant of God prospered, and was extolled, and became very high.

3. But his reign on he earth is yet very limited, and his conquests incomplete. "There remaineth yet much land to be possessed." Five-sixths of the millions of the human race are still the prey of idolatry or of imposture; and the ancient people of God are still the outcasts from his favor, and the victims of unbelief. It stands recorded in characters, which no lapse of years can ever erase: "It is a light thing that thou shouldest be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved of Israel: I will also give thee for a light to the Gentiles, that thou mayest be my salvation unto the end of the earth," Isa_49:6. We proceed to inquire,

III. What we may gather from this prophetic account respecting the process by which the kingdom of the Messiah shall thus be fully and finally established.

Now, it is declared, "As many were astonished at thee: so shall he sprinkle many nations; the kings shall shut their mouths at him: for that which had not been told them shall they see; and that which they had not heard shall they consider." This passage of Scripture is pregnant with information, as to the process by which Christianity shall advance to her sacred and ultimate dominion. We are led to infer,

1. That there shall be a wide dispersion of Divine knowledge over heathen and Mohammedan nations; for men cannot see or consider that which is not first presented to their notice. If, then, they shall see and consider that which in former times had not been told them, it follows, that a wide dissemination of Divine knowledge shall take place in the earth. Connect together missionary exertions and the translations of the Scriptures and the education of the young,’97connect these with the growing and heavenly sympathy which is dilating itself in the human heart; and say, whether or not, a mighty machinery is at work, directed by God himself, and impelled by the very movements of the Almighty Hand! Let us turn again to the prophetic record: "That which had not been told them shall they see; and that which they had not heard shall they consider." That is,

2. The nations shall fix their anxious attention on the truths declared to them. And let me ask, Is there no symptom of the approaching reign of Christ, of this very character, now before our eyes? If the servants of God are becoming active in the cause of their adorable Lord, is no corresponding emotion manifesting itself on the part of the heathen? If the fertilizing dews are beginning to fall from heaven, are there no thirsty lands panting for the shower? Surety, the reports from pagan nations are of the most cheering kind. On every hand there is, more or less, a shaking of old opinions. The kingdom of Satan is dividing against itself.’97Nor shall success be long unseen; for mark again the encouraging statement of the prophet, "The kings shall shut their mouths at him,"’97

3. Impressed with holy awe, they shall assume the attitude of abasement and submission. I apprehend, that the expression, "the kings shall shut their mouths at him," implies, the submission of whole nations, here represented by kings; for, as the reception of Christianity on the part of the rulers of a country, requires the overthrow of every system of religious polity previously established; such a reception publicly made, implies, more or less, the submission of the mass of the people. Enlightened by the Divine Spirit, they shall at length "behold the Lamb of God," slain to take away "the sins of the world." They shall recognize his righteous claims; they shall receive his law; they shall trust in his grace; they shall bow to his sway. But who can adequately unfold his ultimate and glorious triumph, when

4. He shall forgive their iniquities and sanctify their hearts. For, "He shall sprinkle many nations;" that is, in allusion to the aspersions under the law, by which the people were sanctified, the Son of God shall apply to the souls of regenerated multitudes, the blood of his great atonement, and the sacred influences of his Holy Spirit. "Then a nation shall be born in a day." Then the conquests of the Redeemer shall be visible and splendid. Thus shall adoring millions be washed in the blood of Jesus, and shall be presented holy unto the Lord. "Men shall be blessed in him: all nations shall call him blessed," Psa_72:17.

Application

Let me then’971. Suggest to you, in special allusion to the success of our missionary cause, the importance of conducting all our measures in a spirit of prayer.

2. Let us be diligent in the cultivation of personal godliness. Let us, in very deed and spirit, each draw nearer daily to heaven, while laboring to do the work of heaven in the world!

3. Let us cherish a warmer sentiment of gratitude for the gift of the gospel. What a theme is here for gratitude! what an argument for praise! "Who made thee to differ from another? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive?" 1Co_4:7. Oh! let it be our care to value and improve our mercies. May the blessing never be withdrawn! May the light never be extinguished!

4. But, once more, in reference to this great cause, it seems to be of essential importance, that we cherish a spirit of Christian union and mutual charity. Oh! it is reserved for the glory of the latter days, to merge minuter differences in those grand questions which are the heart and life-blood of the Christian cause’97dear to one church as to another, because dear to God, and essential to the repose of man. Then "Ephraim shall not vex Judah, and Judah shall not vex Ephraim," Isa_11:13. And truly, it has been pleasant, during the progress of these few last years, to watch the orient beams of this blessed "unity of the spirit, in the bond of peace;" and to hail them as the harbingers of a brighter day.

Let us solemnly and deliberately cultivate a spirit of tenderness and compassion towards the heathen. Let their actual situation often rest on our remembrance, and have a place in our prayers.

Autor: JABEZ BURNS