iii. 1-8. _For, behold, &c._
+I. The elements of national greatness are intellectual and moral,
rather than material.+ A nation may have "the staff of bread" and
"the stay of water," but lacking the persons enumerated in ver. 2, 3,
it cannot be a great nation. While, therefore, it is reasonable to
put forth efforts to increase the material resources of the nation,
we should be more concerned to improve the producers than the
produce. +II. For the supply and continuance of these supreme
elements of national greatness, we are absolutely dependent upon
God.+ Well to remember that for all material blessings we are
_absolutely_ dependent upon Him. The moral value of a bad harvest is
often great; it reminds us that, do what the most skilful
agriculturists may, it is "God that giveth the increase." Nor less
dependent are we upon Him for the _men_ without whom no nation can be
great. Wise statesmen, skilful inventors, eloquent orators, &c., are
very special gifts of God; such men cannot be manufactured.
+III. These essential elements of national greatness God will take
away for those nations that are regardless of His goodness and
defiant of His authority+ (ver. 1, 8). National sins bring on
national judgments. No national judgment is more severe or prolific
of disasters than the removal or denial of great leaders. +IV. Not
only can God abase the greatest nation, but He can reduce it to the
depths of humiliation which beforehand it would have regarded as
inconceivable.+ See through what states of national sorrow and shame
the prophet declared that Israel should be led. 1. The diminution of
its material resources and the removal of all its leaders of society
(ver. 1-3). 2. The government entrusted to weak and childish rulers
(ver. 4). 3. Social anarchy (ver. 5). 4. Social degradation so
extreme, that men are solicited to rule merely because they have a
little wealth (ver. 6). 5. The last state of national
degradation--its supreme places of authority have become so
contemptible and perilous that no one can be induced to fill them
(ver. 7).
These considerations concern us individually. The nation is but an
aggregate of individuals; and what they are, it is. Hence it behoves
us--1. _To strive after personal holiness._ This seems a very small
remedy for national evils. But it is only by each man adopting it
that the nation can be made religious. If each _drop_ in the ocean
could eliminate the salt with which it is charged, the _ocean_ would
become fresh. Besides, by our example we may stimulate others to
personal reforms, and they again others. 2. _To entreat God to deal
with us as a nation in the way of mercy, and not of judgment_ (Ps.
ciii. 10). There is a mighty power in intercessory prayer.
3. _Diligently to promote all moral and social reforms._ We must
labour as well as pray. A Christian man will assist in all political
reforms, because it is the will of God that righteousness should
prevail in all things. But much more interested will he be in all
movements and institutions having for their end and the intellectual
and moral advancement of the people: the school, the temperance
society, better dwellings for the working classes, the diffusion of a
pure literature, &c. 4. _To put forth constant efforts to bring and
keep our fellow-countrymen under the influence of the Gospel._ Of all
regenerative and conservative influences the Gospel is the most
active and powerful. A nation composed entirely of genuine Christians
would be at once the most happy, prosperous, and powerful the world
has ever seen. The direct and short way to exalt Great Britain is to
strive to lead all our countrymen to the knowledge and service of
Christ. This is a work, not for ministers only, but for the whole
Church. There would be more happy Christians if there were more
working Christians. It is not the running brooks, but the standing
pools, that become stagnant.