803. ISA 40:6-8. HUMAN FRAILTY AND PERPETUITY OF THE DIVINE WORD

Isa_40:6-8. Human Frailty and Perpetuity of the Divine Word

"The voice said, Cry. And he said, What shall I cry? All flesh is grass, and all the goodliness thereof is as the flower of the field," &c.’97Isa_40:6-8.

In this sublime chapter the prophet is commissioned to proclaim comfort to God’s ancient people. This consolation is evidently connected with the atoning work of the Messiah, Isa_40:2. The third verse clearly relates to the Baptist, who should act as the herald of the Saviour. "The voice of him," &c. The blessed results of the Redeemer’s advent are then declared, Isa_40:4. "Every valley," &c. Then the glorious permanency of the gospel dispensation, as contrasted with the changeableness of human nature, is forcibly described: "The voice said, Cry," &c. Isa_40:6-8. In this subject two things demand our attention.

I. The mutability of human nature. And,

II. The immutability of the divine word. I. The mutability of human nature. Now in this description there are several things requiring our notice.

1. The true character of human nature. "All flesh is grass." Of course the whole description refers to the body; to the material corruptible part of our nature. The origin of the human body is the earth. In this we are formed of the same materials precisely with the grass of the field. The supplies for the human body are also from the earth; so that which nourishes the grass provides man with his daily sustenance. The destination of the human body is the earth. "Dust thou art," &c. In this also we see our kindredness with the grass of the field. We see in this description,

2. The superficial evanescence of human nature.

"The grass withereth," &c. Man is not likened to iron or to stone, or to oak, for these remain for generations, for centuries. Some of the ancient monuments have stood for thousands of years. But man "cometh forth like a flower, and is cut down." What more fragile than the grass? What more mutable than the flower of the field? Yet these are the true emblems of human nature. The life of man is as nothing. At his best estate he is vanity. Threescore years and ten pass swiftly away, and are but as "a tale that is told." But how few reach that period of life! The grass and the flower of the field have a natural tendency to decay; but this is oftentimes hastened by the withering wind and scorching sun. So we see this in the ravages of death, on all the varied conditions and ages of human beings. There

(1.) That infant flower, the joy of its parents, the very image of loveliness. Yet how often does it fade and perish, to the grief of all who beheld and admired it. We are often called to condole with Rachel, &c.

(2.) There is that intellectual flower, where the child has risen into youth, and where youth has been beautified with knowledge and intelligence. But in many cases like the morning star, they set in the very opening of the day. I have known many such cases. The student,’97the youthful preacher,’97the active Christian. There is,

(3.) That flower of purity, where eminent piety adorns the character; where the graces are continually displayed; where their conversation, spirit, and tempers, all adorn the Christian profession. But for flowers of piety there is no exemption from the ravages of death and the stroke of mortality. We are directed,

3. To the divine influence by which mortality is produced.

The clothing of the grass, the decking of the flower, is the work of God, and by his agency it perishes. So it is with human life. Our breath is in his hands; our health and strength come and go at his bidding. He gives power, or produces weakness. He protracts life, or "changes man’s countenance, and sendeth him away." With God are the issues of life and death. "The spirit of the Lord bloweth upon it," &c. All resistance to this is puerile and vain. "As the grass he withereth," &c. Observe,

4. The solemn attention which our frailty demands.

"The voice said, Cry." People forget this; often live as though they disbelieved it; will not reflect upon it. Hence the lamentation of Moses’97"Oh that they were wise," &c. Now this apathy, the foolish banishment of this theme, renders it necessary that we remind mankind that "it is appointed unto men once to die." And this subject claims our serious consideration, our solemn reflection. Let us then turn to the other part of the text,

II. The immutability of the divine word.

"But the word," &c. We do not explain this of the word of God in general, so much as of the gospel in particular. For many of the ordinances and feasts of the Jewish dispensation have passed away; but the gospel is destined to abide forever and ever. Now let us look at several things to which this is peculiarly applicable.

1. The great doctrines of the word of God are immutable.

All. these are essential, infallible truths. Jehovah’s greatness, purity, and goodness. The Saviour’s divinity, power, and glory. Man’s guilt, pollution, and helplessness. Christ’s atoning sacrifice, resurrection, and intercession. Faith’s vital power in the truth effectually to save and make men free from sin, and holy in heart and life. These, with all the other doctrines of the gospel, abide forever. They are the verities of every age’97of the world to the end of time.

2. The promises of God’s word are immutable.

These, like the divine gifts, are without repentance. They are all yea and amen. The promises to the repenting penitent,’97to the humble believer,’97to the persevering saint. Not one is erased from the book of God’s covenant. As sure to us as to the primitive saints of God. "For the word of the Lord," &c.

3. The warnings and threatenings of the divine word are immutable.

These rest on the purity and justice of God; and are, like those attributes, unchangeable. Hence all the denunciations of God’s threatened wrath are now equally applicable to persons of the same guilt with those to whom they were first made known. The warnings to the old world are adapted to all inconsiderate persons. The warning to Lot’s wife equally applies to the penitent, escaping from the city of destruction, &c. So all the warnings and threatenings endure forever.

4. The word of God is immortal, as our only guide to a blissful immortality.

Jesus said, "Search the scriptures," &c. Peter said, "We have a more sure word of prophecy," &c. Paul said, "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly," &c. It has been the guide of millions, and it has conducted every sincere inquirer to eternal glory. It is yet the one infallible guide to eternal and everlasting bliss. Now this word of the Lord abideth forever. This is marvellous. It might have been lost. It might, humanly speaking, have been destroyed. But it has survived the lapse of eighteen centuries, and is not only preserved, but is in the probable way of being circulated to the ends of the earth, and published in every language and tongue of the human race.

Application

1. In both departments of the subject we are all individually concerned. All fragile, dying creatures. All hastening to the tomb. Let us not forget this. Improve it, and by repentance and faith in Christ, prepare for it. "Set thine house in order," &c. For our comfort we all have this word of the Lord, this gospel of salvation. This remedy for the evils of life, and the darkness of death.

2. Negligence and impenitence will not exempt us from the portion of mortal beings, and the misery of the wicked in a future world.

Autor: JABEZ BURNS