(_For Easter Sunday._)
v. 14, 15. _Therefore hell hath enlarged herself, &c._
In these terms of appalling sublimity Isaiah warns his countrymen of
the calamities that were about to come upon them, on account of the
innumerable transgressions into which they had been betrayed by their
wilful ignorance of God. Therefore they should be carried away into
captivity (ver. 13), and therefore also the sword, famine, and
pestilence would conspire to fill the "under-world" with inhabitants.
That "under-world" is represented as preparing itself for their
reception, as a ravenous beast opens wide its jaws to devour its prey
(+Text+). A prediction which, to the prosperous, wealthy, and
powerful nation over which Uzziah ruled, doubtless seemed the most
extravagant raving of fanaticism, but which was fulfilled
nevertheless.
It is of the "under-world" that Isaiah speaks. "Therefore the
under-world opens its jaws wide, and stretches open its mouth
immeasurably wide; and the glory of Jerusalem descends, and its
tumult, and noise, and those who rejoice within it. There are mean
men bowed down, and lords humbled, and the eyes of lofty men are
humbled."--_Delitsch._ Our translation "hell" must not lead us to
think merely of the place where the wicked are tormented; it is of
conquests about to be achieved by death and the grave that Isaiah
warned the men of his time. His prediction suggests a topic of which
men of all times will do well to think, and that again another topic
peculiarly suited to this day. Let us bethink ourselves--
I. Of THE CONQUESTS OF DEATH AND THE GRAVE. +1. These conquests have
been effected in all ages.+ Generation after generation of mankind
has been swept away by these grim and ancient warriors. During
successive centuries men have gained wonderful power over the forces
of nature, but they have acquired no real increase of ability to
withstand these dread destroyers. All that science can do is in a few
cases for a very short time to defer their victory. The "Elixir of
Life" has been sought for in vain.--If in feebleness of mankind we
had not sufficient proof of our fallen condition, certainly we should
find it in the fact, that so many men have allied themselves with
these foes of our race. All nations have conferred their brightest
honours on those who have been the most successful ministers of
death. Warrior and hero have been regarded as synonymous terms. In no
respect is modern science more industrious, earnest or successful,
than in the search for the means by which human life may be destroyed
most easily on the largest scale. +2. They have been characterised by
a solemn impartiality.+ With them there has been no respect of
persons. (1.) _Meanness is no security against them._ Poverty and
lowliness are not without their compensations, as the poorer Jews
discovered, when they saw the nobles and men of wealth, whom they had
been accustomed to envy, carried away miserable captives, while they
themselves were left behind (2 Kings xxiv. 14-16, &c). There are
those whom human conquerors will not stoop to molest. But death and
the grave have no such fastidiousness. They prey on the mean as well
as the mighty. (2.) _Might is no defence against them._ Rank and
wealth can accomplish much, but they cannot overawe or bribe
death.[1] Death works like a reaper in the dark, cutting down the
tall ears of corn as well as the grass that struggles for existence
between them, the fair flowers as well as the noisome weeds. +3. They
have been characterised by a terrible unexpectedness.+ They are
certain, but they cannot be foreseen. While they proceed with all the
steadiness of gravitation, it is as impossible to foretell _where_
they will be next accomplished, as it is to predict from which part
of the heavens the next flash of lightning will burst forth, on which
spot of earth the destructive fire will fall. Hence the wisdom of
living in continual preparedness for the great change which will come
to us all.[2]
II. This survey of the conquests of death and the grave should remind
us that there is another side to this solemn theme, and therefore I
proceed to remind you, secondly, of THE CONQUERORS OF DEATH AND THE
GRAVE. Through how many centuries did men live without any conception
that these conquerors of our race might themselves be subjugated! Two
astonishing events, indeed, occurred--the translation of Enoch and
the rapture of Elijah--but their significance could not be fully
understood at the time of their occurrence. The data for their
complete interpretation had not then been furnished. But when that
supreme event which we commemorate to-day occurred, these and many
other mysteries were solved. When the Son of man, who had been
crucified, emerged from the tomb, proclamation was made to the
universe that the ancient power of death and the grave was broken. It
was seen that it is possible to pass through them unharmed, and to
return to the activities of life, not with diminished, but with
increased, vigour. And He who demonstrated this astonishing truth has
pledged Himself to accomplish for all who trust in Him a victory
similar to His own. By faith in this pledge, countless millions have
been enabled to triumph in spirit over Death at the very moment when
he seemed to be numbering them also among his victims (1 Cor.
xv. 55-57).
+1. The victory of Christ's followers over death and the grave is
real.+ There seems to be one event unto all (Eccles. ix. 2, 3). But
it is not so. Death is not the conqueror of Christ's servant; he is
God's servant, sent to conduct them to the rest prepared for them.
The grave is not their prison, but a quiet resting-place from which
presently the mortal body shall come forth immortal to greet the
eternal morning.
+2. The victory of Christ's followers over death and the grave will
ere long be manifest+ (1 Thess. iv. 14-16, &c.) In the doctrine of
the resurrection, there is much that is mysterious and inexplicable,
but _this_ is certain, that the seeming victory of death and the
grave over Christ's followers shall be utterly reversed; as not a
hoof belonging to God's ancient people was left behind in Egypt, so
NOTHING that belongs to a single follower of Christ upon which death
and the grave have seized shall remain in their power (Hos.
xiii. 14). The resurrection will be more than a ransom. It will be a
development (1 Cor. xv. 37, 38, 42, 44). In view of these truths, let
us to-day keep Easter with thankful and joyful hearts.