(_Missionary Sermon._)
xi. 9. _They shall not hurt nor destroy, &c._
We have here a picture of the golden age. I. The whole earth shall be
as Mount Zion. II. Shall be freed from injustice and violence.
III. Shall be filled with the knowledge of the Lord. 1. Wherein this
knowledge consists. 2. To what extent it shall prevail--universal,
deep. 3. By what means it is to be diffused.--_J. Lyth, D.D.:
Homiletical Treasury_ (p. 18).
"They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy _mountain,_ for the
_earth_ shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord." It seems clear
that in these words the prophet intended to be understood of speaking
of the whole earth. He would scarcely, in the same sentence, have
used the expressions in question--the _holy mountain_ in the first
clause, and the _earth_ in the other--if by these expressions he had
not meant the same thing, namely, the whole globe of the earth, when
the dwellers thereon should come to be true worshippers, like those
who first worshipped at Mount Zion, and who were a type of the
greater assembly of worshippers, the holy and universal Church, which
in the fulness of time would be established.
I. _The prophet grounds the hope of that reformed and purified state
of the moral_ _world, described in the beautiful words of the text,
upon the increase of religious knowledge_ which he saw to be coming.
"They shall not hurt . . . for the earth shall be full of the
_knowledge of the Lord._" II. These words may be taken as
_descriptive of the legitimate effect of Christian knowledge._ The
general scope, aim, and tendency of Gospel principles is such as
would produce the change described, were it not counteracted by the
tendency within us to what is wrong. III. They are more than this:
they are _prophetic of the actual results of Christian knowledge._
The Gospel will render war impossible. True, so-called "Christian"
nations have not yet ceased to wage war with one another, nor
so-called "Christian" men to rob and circumvent and ruin each other.
Nevertheless, this prophecy shall yet be fulfilled. We see it in the
process of fulfilment. The condition of the moral world has been
meliorated by Christianity. Wars have not ceased, but their conduct
has been mitigated. In their private dealings with each other, men
have become more just and trustworthy. Already there are millions of
men who would shrink from doing harm of any kind to their fellow-men.
Compare Christendom with heathendom, and you will see what mighty
changes the Gospel has already wrought. The practice even of
Christian men falls short of their knowledge. Nevertheless, the
practice and the morals of men are, generally speaking, the best
where their knowledge is the most. The prophet's words are justified
by fact, and men forbear one another most, and hurt and destroy
least, where knowledge is the greatest. It is a fact that life and
property are more safe and secure in the Christian portion of the
earth, than in any other portions. And the knowledge of the Lord
grows year by year; partly through the labours of missionaries in
many places; still more by the rapid growth of the nations that are
Christian. The violent and lawless races of the earth are dwindling
away. The only races that are increasing are those that fear God, and
are willing to respect the rights, the properties, and the lives of
their neighbours. Through the medium of this natural increase of
peace-loving races, and through the conversion of many among the
benighted nations, this prophecy is receiving a gradual, but very
appreciable, fulfilment. The world is advancing, with
ever-accelerating speed towards knowledge and peace, and this
declaration shall yet be literally fulfilled (H. E. I., 979,
1161-1168; P. D., 2465, 2466).
_Application._--1. We are permitted to rejoice in the hope of a
period when justice and benevolence shall prevail in the world. 2. We
are required to contribute towards the realisation of this hope. This
we are to do (1) by the purification of our own hearts; by the
conquest of every passion and desire that would make us hurtful to
our neighbours. (2) By prayer (Matt. vi. 9, 10). (3) By helping to
diffuse that "knowledge of the Lord" which is the great peace-maker
in the earth.--_A. Gibson, M.A.: Sermons on Various Subjects; Second
Series_ (pp. 246-265).
In this and the preceding verses we have a beautiful picture of a
state of human society entirely different from anything that has been
witnessed since the Fall. The prophet beholds changes in human
character so great that he feels he can only symbolise them by
transformations in the members of the animal kingdom of the most
astonishing kind. Verses 6-8 _are_ symbolical, and are intended to
excite within us the liveliest anticipations of the glorious effects
that would follow the universal proclamation and acceptation of the
gospel. Thus we are led to speak of the nature, the diffusion, and
the effect of the knowledge of the Lord.
I. ITS EXALTED NATURE. By "the knowledge of the Lord" may be meant
that of which He is the revealer (2 Chron. xxx. 22), or that of which
He is the theme (2 Pet. ii. 20). God can only be revealed by Himself;
and He has given us a threefold revelation of Himself--in nature, in
providence, and in Holy Scripture. In the latter we have the record
of the fullest revelation which He has vouchsafed, that given us in
His Son. God is never truly known by man until He is known in Christ.
"The knowledge of the Lord" and "the Gospel" are terms of the same
meaning.
II. ITS DESTINED DIFFUSION. The figure employed by the prophet brings
before us impressively the universality of its diffusion. The
imagination is called in to instruct our faith.[1] The world-wide
diffusion of the gospel is a matter--1. Of _prophetic certainty._
Nothing could be more plain than the prophetic declarations
concerning this matter. But if any man asks _when_ the promise will
be fulfilled, only one answer can be given him (Acts i. 7).
2. Involving _Divine agency._ Utterly false is the notion that, after
creating the universe, God withdrew from it, and left it to go on by
its own momentum (John v. 17); and utterly false is the notion that,
after giving the gospel to the world, God has left it to make its own
way therein. By Divine agency men are raised up to proclaim it (Eph.
iv. 11). While they are so engaged Christ Himself is with them (Matt.
xxviii. 20); and while they preach, the Holy Spirit strives in the
hearts of men to prepare and dispose them to receive the glad tidings
(1 Thess. i. 5). When, therefore, we look at the glorious promise of
our text, we must not forget that God Himself is working for its
accomplishment. This will save us from unbelief and despair
concerning it. 3. Involving _human instrumentality._ Not that this is
absolutely necessary. Without human husbandry God could have caused
the earth to bring forth food for man and beast, and without human
instrumentality He could have saved the world. But it has pleased Him
to commit to us the Word of reconciliation. The consequent duty of
preaching it must be taken in connection with, and regarded as the
condition of, the promise; just as the promise that there shall be a
harvest till the end of the world is conditioned by man's sowing the
seed in the appointed season. The promise must not be used as an
excuse for indolence, but as a stimulus to industry.
III. ITS BLESSED EFFECT. The Gospel is a harmonising power. It has a
transforming efficacy equal to any that would be needed to bring
about a literal fulfilment of verses 6-8. Wherever it comes in its
saving power it new creates human hearts, and thus dries up the
causes of hatred and discord at their fountain. For it is a
principle, 1. of _righteousness,_ and 2. of _love._ Hence it brings
peace. For all discord is due to injustice that is prompted by
selfishness (James iv. 1). Where righteousness and love combine and
rule, there must be peace and security; for the very desire to injure
is taken away. The universal prevalence of the gospel necessarily
means universal peace (H. E. I., 1120, 1127, 1129).
1. This suggests the answer to the questions, Why Christian nations
make war against each other, and why even in Christian churches there
are fierce contentions? The answer is, either that those nations or
churches are Christian only in name, or that they have only very
partially attained to "the knowledge of the Lord." They are only in
infant-class in Christ's great school; as they learn of Him, their
rivalries and hatreds will pass away. 2. The Gospel being so blessed
in its effects, it is plain that it is the duty of all good men to
extend the knowledge of it.--_John Rawlinson._
A remarkable declaration this, especially if the Hebrew prophets
were, as some learned sceptics tell us, men of narrow mind,
worshipping a merely local god, and hating all men not descended from
Jacob. By the noble simile employed by Isaiah two ideas are
suggested--1. _Universality._ mankind is the area to be covered.
2. _Ease._ All the creeks, bays, channels, and broad highways of the
vast ocean are filled in their appointed time. The mighty tide rises,
sweeps onward, and the work is done. There was one great flood-tide
of gospel-truth in the days of the apostles, and there is a greater
still to come. Meanwhile, many difficulties attend the efforts of
God's people to extend the knowledge of His truth; but, in the
world's fulness, great ease will characterise the progress and
triumphs of the gospel (Ps. cx. 3; Heb. viii. 11). This declaration
suggests two great subjects:--
1. THE HOPE OF THE WORLD. Shut the Bible, and our outlook on the
world and its future is dark and sad. Open it, and let its light
shine into our minds, and with the light will come encouragement and
hope. 1. If it is true that "the earth . . . the sea," then God takes
an interest in the affairs of the world, and takes an interest in
them _now._ This mighty world is not left to drift into an unknown
and perilous future without a steersman to guide it. 2. If God makes
such abundant provision for the instruction of men in the knowledge
of Himself, then He will be accessible to them when, by that
knowledge, they are led to approach Him; and He is accessible to us.
3. Himself opening for men a way of access to Him, we may be sure
that when they avail themselves of it He will deal with them in the
way of mercy and love; and so He will deal with us. Who can doubt
this who looks on the fact of Christ, through whom God has given us
the truest knowledge of Himself (2 Cor. iv. 6)? 4. He means to be
known to the _world,_ and therefore His gracious offers extend to
_all,_ to us.
II. THE DUTY OF THE CHURCH. In view of this declaration, 1. _Take
enlarged views of your work._ Think how much remains to be done. Even
if you could suppose that your family, your street, your town, your
country were filled with the blessed tide of the knowledge of the
Lord, yet think of the _earth,_ and all its myriad claims resting
upon the servants of God. 2. _Spare no efforts in promoting the cause
of Christian missions._ In advancing these, you are working in
harmony with the great purposes of God, and for an object which is
dear to Him--that object for which He has already given His Son! Will
you withhold from it the money with which He has entrusted you, and
for which you will have to give account at the last day? 3. There are
many present difficulties in the prosecution of mission-work, but
meanwhile _take comfort from the large purposes of God._ "Have faith
in God." His plans are vast, but His glorious promises are great as
His counsels, and His resources as glorious as His promises. The
process of filling the earth with "the knowledge of the Lord" may
seem to us to be tedious, the obstacles may be many, the time may be
long; if the work were left to us, it would be hopeless; but GOD will
hasten it all in His time.--_William Manning._
It is here declared that there is yet to dawn upon the world an era
of perfect light, and that that shall be also and therefore an era of
perfect love. "They shall not hurt nor destroy in all My holy
mountain, FOR the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord."
It is a mystery, but it is a fact, that knowledge is not necessarily
a blessing. The devils believe--and therefore know--yet remain devils
still (Jas. ii. 19). Many men of unholy life have been men of eminent
knowledge (Rom. i. 21). But this is a moral monstrosity, a result of
the unnatural condition into which we have been brought by sin; just
as in certain forms of disease food becomes poison. Knowledge is one
of those forces which naturally tend to elevate and sanctify
(H. E. I., 3106); to know God truly is eternal life (John xvii. 3);
and the declaration is, that knowledge shall be world-wide, and that
by it the world shall be morally revolutionised. Remembrance of two
facts will give intelligence and strength to our faith in these
glorious predictions. 1. _As man's knowledge of God has grown, the
human race has risen._ Except in those abnormal cases already
referred to, it may be declared that man cannot learn to know God and
remain as they were--_e.g.,_ wherever the knowledge of the unity of
God is restored to man, idolatry becomes impossible; as soon as the
knowledge of the spirituality of God really enters the mind,
formalism in worship becomes an impossibility. So every truth
concerning God, as soon as it is really known, becomes a correcting
and converting force. The tendency of this knowledge, as of light, is
to quicken and beautify. The way to grow in grace is to grow in the
knowledge of Christ (2 Pet. iii. 18). 2. _The knowledge of God is a
thing that grows, and grows slowly, in the human soul._ This is true
of all knowledge.[2] But in proportion as it grows, sanctification
takes place in the individual life, reformation in the national
life.[3] It is the most radical and successful of all revolutionists.
It is impossible for us to dream of the changes it will accomplish
upon the earth. But this we know, that by it war and every form of
violence shall be abolished (text; Isa. ii. 4, &c.)
In this subject there is, 1. _A complete justification of all
missionary enterprises._ They are not visionary schemes foredoomed to
failure; they are intensely practical, and shall be triumphantly
successful. The time may be far off, but it is advancing, when every
man shall know God.[4] The effect of that knowledge will be the
destruction of the desire to destroy or injure. 2. _An argument for
patience._ In view of the wrongs that prevail upon the earth, many
noble souls find it difficult to exercise it. Of finer taste, of
clearer vision, of truer sympathy with God than is common amongst
men, the wickedness that triumphs in the world fills them with
continual agony. It drives them almost into atheism. They ask, "Can
God see these things, and not use His power to bring them to an end?
If there were a God, would He not instantly smite the oppressors with
destruction?" Let them be patient. God does see; God does feel; God
is hastening on the better day by the only means by which it can
really be brought in. Another deluge would not cleanse the world from
crime; if but eight souls were spared, sin would once more begin to
prevail. The era of purity and peace can be ushered in only by the
revelation of God to man, and thus it is advancing towards us; thus
it is already begun; between Christian and heathen lands there is a
real contrast; and ere long there shall be as great a contrast
between Christian lands uplifted by a fuller knowledge of God and
these lands as they now are. The millennium is not merely a prophetic
dream, it shall be a glorious fact. Patience! (H. E. I., 1134, 1135,
1166-1168, 3421-3423; P. D., 2465, 2466). 3. _An argument for hopeful
Christian effort._ We must not merely dream of the millennium, we
must labour to hasten its dawn. Work is needful: Sunday-school work,
&c. Every one who prays, "Thy kingdom come," thereby unless he means
to mock God, pledges himself to work to hasten its coming, and thus
to be a "fellow-labourer with God." There is need for individual
effort, and for united effort. Such effort should always be hopeful.
We are not attempting what is impossible; we are working in the line
of God's promises, and with God! Remembering that the sense of our
own weakness will not unduly depress us. It does not require a
giant's strength to row with the tide; and a mightier force than that
of ocean is bearing us on to a victory that shall fill earth with
blessing and heaven with gladness.