x. 20-23. _And it shall come to pass in that day, that the
remnant of Israel, &c._
We can hardly understand such language as this, because in our
national life and personal history we have never been subject to
these strange mutations which befell the kingdom of Israel. We can
hardly understand what it means where a whole nation is torn up by
the roots, and carried away into a foreign land; and where, by and
by, in the capricious mood of some despot, a portion of them are
allowed to go back again,--a mere fragment. For in the carrying away
of a million people, how many perish! And when a few are gathered
together, and they turn to go back, how much is this remnant to be
pitied! Wandering from place to place in the promised land, crossing
the Jordan, finding a heap where once there was a flourishing city,
drawing near to the home of their ancestry and finding it in the
hands of foreigners, themselves regarded as intruders and outcasts,
what a harrowing experience theirs must be!
It was under such circumstances as these that the prophets did their
chief work. It was one of their principal functions to encourage a
nation plunged into profound despondency. In this chapter, the
prophet, with words of cheer, and with an inexpressible richness of
imagery, comforts the poor, despoiled band of people, and makes them
feel that the hand of power shall not for ever be so strong against
them.
Looked at in its interior spirit, as God meant that it should be
viewed, is it not calculated to encourage and comfort people who are
in desolateness and distress? Think what is meant by _"a remnant."_
It does not mean simply a few; neither does it mean merely the last
things; though it includes both these ideas. There are "remnants" in
the tailor's shop, in the carpenter's shop, in the household after a
meal, in the harvest field--the waste and refuse that is left after
the main and best parts have been taken away and used. So, in all the
phases of society there is a remnant constantly coming up; it is the
portion which is left after the better or more favoured have been
culled out and used; the unsuccessful man, and the men who have
broken down; and it is in respect to the remnants of society that I
am going to speak this morning.
Consider God's great tenderness towards the remnant of His
people. . . . Did you ever think of the remnants of society--how
numerous they are, and how much they are to be pitied? We are
observant of the prosperous and successful, but who cares for the
remnants of society? God does!
Let us look at some of these remnants. I. _Those who are broken in
health, and are utterly turned away by that reason from all that they
sought._ How many they are! How full of sorrow is their lot! By
accident or disease suddenly rendered useless! Like a ship cast upon
the land, where the sun beats upon it, and the heat shrinks and
cracks it, and opens the seams wider and wider, till by and by it
drops to pieces. So it is their pitiful lot to be able to do nothing
but wait for the end. II. _Those who have misapplied their powers,
and consequently have failed._ How many give themselves to
professions for which they are utterly unfit! Every day men are
ruined because they do not know what they are, nor what they are set
to do, and are not willing to do the things which they could do, but
are aspiring to do the things they are not fitted for. III. _Men who
were adapted to their work, but were overtaxed, and who had not the
endurance which their circumstances required._ Hundreds of men, under
the intense strain of modern society, break down; and then all is
gone so far as they are concerned. IV. _A great many more break down
from a secret mismanagement of themselves._ They live in neglect or
violation of the simplest and most fundamental laws of health, or
they indulge in vices that are destructive. V. _They who have
violated the laws of society, and have been detected, convicted, and
branded with shame._ It is scarcely possible for such men, however
earnestly and honestly they may desire it, to be anything else than
mere "remnants" in society.
1. In regard to all those who are in this great struggling mass--the
remnants of society--I have to say: Take pity on them; have
compassion on them; do something to rescue, to strengthen, to cheer
some of them. 2. To all who are cast down and suffering, I say, There
is a God who is sorry for you. If men disown you, God thinks of you,
and will succour you. Beware, then, of desperation. Do not throw
yourselves away. Though all else should be against you, God is for
you. There is immortality--seek for that. There is bright and blessed
manhood just beyond. If you have failed for this life, do not fail
for the other too. There is very much that may yet be done, even in
the afternoon and twilight of men's lives, if they are hopeful and
active. Do not give yourselves over to complaining and mourning. Be
patient. However low you may have got, you have not got so low as
Christ was when He died a death of shame and contumely for us. Shall
the servant be greater than his Lord? Be patient. It cannot be long
before God's angel shall come, and then your troubles shall be over.
Pluck up your courage. Wait. And if need be, suffer, and suffer
patiently to the end. Let everything go but this: "God loves me;
heaven waits for me;" and in that hope stand. Though the world perish
around you, _stand,_ comforted and cheered by the confidence that God
cares for you as the remnants of His Israel (H. E. I., 958-961, 2310,
2311, 4015-4018).--_Henry Ward Beecher: Christian World Pulpit_ (vol.
iii. p. 43).