628. ISA 35:1. THE WILDERNESS MADE GLAD
Isa_35:1. The Wilderness Made Glad
By Rev. James Foote, M. A.
"The wilderness and the solitary place shall be glad for them; and the desert shall rejoice and blossom as the rose."’97Isa_35:1.
In prosecuting the idea suggested in the text, we shall, in dependence on Divine aid, take a view of some of the features of a desert, in which it resembles those of the heathen world; endeavoring, as we proceed, to show how, in the latter case, these features would be changed, or improved, by the introduction of the gospel.
I. A desert may be considered as barren and uncivilized.
So, in general, are heathen countries. But, instead of unfruitfulness and barbarism, Christianity would introduce culture, civilization, and every thing which, in connection with these, tends to promote the substantial comforts of life. The Bible and the plough go together’97they are gradually penetrating into the inmost recesses of its deserts, where already the eye is occasionally refreshed by cultivated spots, like so many fruitful islands rising from the bosom of the ocean. A wilderness may be considered.
II. As a place of dreary solitude.
It is here called, "the solitary place." But the gospel would introduce the endearments of society; or, at all events, sweeten solitude itself. When we take a view of many parts of the heathen world, the want of human beings, the awful solitariness is most obvious. How numerous, how vast, and how beautiful, the tracts of country, both in the old and new world, where not even one rational creature exists to rejoice in the bounty, or to celebrate the praises of the Creator! And where there are some inhabitants, they are often so thinly scattered, that the solitude is thereby only rendered the more sensible. Can this be a desirable state of existence? It is also worthy of notice, that among even the more numerous tribes of savages, social enjoyment is but small. They are strangers to the more delicate pleasures of domestic life, and to the enlivening flow of sentiment. They have, indeed, their feasts; but these are seasons of diabolical rather than of human mirth. Then their extravagant madness often ends in scenes of rioting and blood; and it is always preceded by corresponding depression of spirits. Their habitual character, undoubtedly, is retired ness, melancholy, and taciturnity. On the other hand, true religion gives birth to those feelings which prompt man with confidence to seek man; while, at the same time, it enlarges the mind, and furnishes many rational and enlivening topics on which men delight to speak out of the abundance of the heart. I observe,
III. That a wilderness may be considered as a place of inhumanity and cruelty.
And that such are heathen countries, Scripture declares in these words: "The dark places of the earth are full of the habitations of cruelty," Psa_74:20. How common in heathen lands has been, and still is, the exposure of female infants! A missionary in South America once reproved a married woman, of good character according to the standard of character prevalent there, for following this custom. The defence she made proved at least, in the most convincing manner, the cruelty under which her whole sex there groaned. "I wish to God, father," said she with tears, "I wish to God that my mother had, by my death, prevented the distresses I endure, and have yet to endure as long as I live. Can human nature endure such tyranny? What kindness can we show our female children equal to that of relieving them from such oppression, more bitter a thousand times than death? I say again, Would to God that my mother had put me under ground the moment I was born!"
An excellent author, speaking of the Jaina, in Mysore, says, that "in a quarrel among the Brahmins, on account of some difference of religious sentiment, the party which obtained the victory, caused the priests of Jaina to be ground to death in oil-mills." He further observes, that at Tonoru, where this cruelty took place, though certain animals are very numerous and very hurtful, it is reckoned a very grievous sin to destroy any of them. Thus the very persons who shudder at the thought of a mischievous animal being killed, applaud the Brahmins for having ground the Jainas to death in oil-mills!
IV. When we hear of a wilderness, we think of a place of comfortless sorrow.
The promise that the wilderness shall be gladdened and made to rejoice, implies that it is previously the seat of sorrow and mourning. Assuredly the heathen world is a wilderness of comfortless sorrow, as it contains not within itself the means of soothing the sad distress with which it is filled. But such a wilderness would be gladdened by the gospel, which would bring home to the afflicted and the dying "the peace of God, which passeth all understanding," to "keep their hearts and minds, through Christ Jesus;" and through him, also, the powerful consolations of the Holy Spirit, the Comforter. Thus the promise would be fulfilled, "When the poor and needy seek water, and there is none, and their tongue faileth for thirst, I the Lord will hear them, I the God of Israel will not forsake them," Isa_41:19.
Lastly. Like a wilderness, the heathen world is a place of awful danger.
"I was in perils," said the apostle Paul, "in the wilderness," 2Co_11:26. "Where (here is no vision the people perish," Pro_29:18. We may hope that there are a few exceptions, in some way which we cannot comprehend; but most certainly, the general rule is, "Where there is no vision the people perish!" Those who. have the gospel offered to them, and yet reject it, perish with a more aggravated condemnation than those who never had any such offer; but this does not render the state of the heathen safer than it would otherwise have been; for, in the words of the apostle Paul, "As many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law," Rom_2:12. A perilous wilderness, then, well represents the spiritual danger of the heathen world.
Improvement
The subject may be applied in reference both to those in Christian, and to those in heathen countries.
1. Let us improve it as furnishing ourselves with ground of gratitude and admonition. How thankful ought we to be, when we contrast our own happy situation with the state of those who "sit in darkness, and in the region and shadow of death!" How thankful should we be, when we compare our present state with that of our heathen forefathers; for, in superstition and cruelty, the ancient Britons seem to have been equal to any savage tribe now on the face of the earth. Many are the advantages of a civil, political, and local nature which we enjoy; but it is the light of revelation which either gives them birth, or enables us fully to avail ourselves of them. "Blessed is the people that know the joyful sound," Psa_89:15. "Blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear," Mat_13:16. But while we make this general acknowledgment of the goodness of the Lord, in thus visiting our land with the gospel of his grace,
2. It becomes us to consider whether we have personally embraced it. It is an observation peculiarly worthy of the wise man, that God "hath set the world in the heart," Ecc_3:11. Now, what is that world in the heart originally, but a moral "wilderness"’97"a solitary place"’97"a desert?" It bears no fruit to the glory of God; it knows not communion with its Maker; it is a stranger to every pure and substantial joy. But whenever the truth is received in the love of it, the result is "righteousness, peace, and joy, in the Holy Ghost." Let us ask ourselves, If the gospel be to us the chief source of gladness and rejoicing?
3. Let us improve the subject in reference to the heathen, whose sad state we are now assembled to commiserate. We have been often told, but we are not yet sufficiently impressed by the consideration, that not one-fifth part of the human race have yet been made acquainted with the gospel. Endeavor, then, if you can, to form some conception of the aggregate of misery which exists among the destitute multitude. Think, oh think! of the unmitigated woe, and awful danger of "the waste, howling wilderness!"
While, however, the glory of this work is the Lord’s, he condescends to employ human instruments; nay, according to his wise determination, such instruments are necessary. The ministry of reconciliation is committed to ambassadors, who are to beseech sinners to be reconciled to God, 2Co_5:20. "How shall" heathen "believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? and how shall they preach, except they be sent?" Rom_10:14, Rom_10:15. Hence the necessity for missionaries.
5. But it is necessary for the Christian public to remember that the means of support must be furnished. I am not disputing with those who are opposers of this work, but am taking it for granted that your appearance here declares you to be its friends. We are not entitled to dictate. Only be it remembered by us all, "He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully," 2Co_9:6.
6. Already, he who is to be crowned Lord of all has gained some of his most signal triumphs, in modern times, through this instrumentality. Consider these triumphs as pledging thee to similar exertions; and then, at last, it shall be seen that thou wast honored to bear a conspicuous part in the full accomplishment of this delightful prophecy’97"The wilderness and the solitary place shall be glad for them, and the desert shall rejoice and blossom as the rose!" Amen.
Autor: JABEZ BURNS