159. ISA 51:1. THE EXPERIMENTAL RETROSPECT

Isa_51:1. The Experimental Retrospect

"Hearken to me, ye that follow after righteousness, ye that seek the Lord: look unto the rock whence ye are hewn, and to the hole of the pit whence ye are digged."’97Isa_51:1.

The text was addressed to Israel, and was intended to remind them of their original small and weak condition, when God called Abraham, and blessed him, and increased him. The passage will equally apply to the spiritual Israel, and may be considered a subject worthy of retrospect, and which is calculated both to instruct and profit them.

There are two parts in the text. I. The Characters addressed, and, II. The Duties enjoined.

I. The Characters addressed.

"Ye that follow after righteousness, that seek the Lord."

1. Followers of righteousness.

That is,

(1) Righteousness of character. Which is obtained in justification.’97Rom_4:24

(2) Righteousness of nature Which we receive in regeneration.’971Jn_3:9

(3) Righteousness of practice. Which is displayed in the acts and exercises of an obedient life.’971Jn_3:7. Those who have been justified and regenerated, follow after righteousness’97prayerfully, diligently, and progressively.

2. They that seek the Lord.

This is sometimes put for he commencement of religion, and sometimes for the sum of it. The latter sense is the meaning of the text. Their desires are after God. His face and favor they constantly prize and seek.

(1) They seek the blessing of God in prayer.

(2) The presence of God in ordinances.

(3) The smile of God in duties.

(4) The aid of God in difficulties.

(5) The approbation of God in all things. Notice,

II. The Duties enjoined.

"Hearken unto me: look unto the rock whence ye are hewn," &c. Observe, the duties enjoined are,’97

1. Attention.

"Hearken unto me." God is our Sovereign, and he claims our subjection and attention; we are to hearken to all his laws and precepts. He is our Redeemer and we are to hearken to all the statements of his grace and mercy. He is our Friend; and we are to hearken to all his advice and counsel. We are to hearken to him as he addresses us through his works’97through his providences’97through his word’97through his servants’97especially through his Son and Spirit. We are to hearken to him on all subjects and at all times. We are to hearken to him humbly, affectionately, cheerfully 2. Retrospection.

"Look to the rock whence ye are hewn, and to the hole of the pit whence ye are digged." Observe,

(1) Our original state. A part of the common "rock" of depravity. Hard’97cold’97inflexible. In the "hole of the pit." See Psa_40:1. Pit of depravity and defilement’97pit of misery’97pit of imminent peril’97pit of utter human helplessness.

(2) Our present state. Hewn from the rock. Digged out of the pit. God saw, and pitied, and saved us. By his word and Spirit he made us soft and tender; and he exalted us. justified, renewed, washed, and sanctified us. How great, how total, how blessed the change!

(3) Our present duty is to "look unto he rock," &c. We should look, and be humble’97look, and be grateful’97look, and be obedient’97look, and labor to be useful to others’97look, and be watchful, that we are not again entangled in that yoke of bondage.

Application

Learn, The sinfulness, misery and danger of mankind by nature. The goodness of God, and the efficiency of his grace. The grateful remembrance of his mercy which his people should cultivate.

Autor: JABEZ BURNS