xi. 10-16. _And in that day there shall be, &c._
Several eminent commentators are of opinion that this prophecy will
not be fulfilled until the Jews are restored as a nation to their own
land. Others believe that the prophet used (it may be unconsciously)
transient geographical phrases as symbols of eternal truths. Without
entering upon this controversy, which can be settled only by the
actual unfolding and accomplishment of God's plans as to the history
of this world, let us think of the fundamental fact of the vision,
that in it "the Root of David" was revealed to the prophet as _the
reconciler of men._ His appearing in the world would be the setting
up of a standard unto which all men, Gentiles (ver. 10) and Jews
(vers. 11, 12), would seek; and before the influence then exerted
upon them by Him rivalries and enmities, even though they were as
inveterate and malignant as those of Judah and Ephraim (ver. 13),
would disappear. No obstacles, even though they should be as immense
as the geographical ones which are specified, would hinder their
coming together and forming one united and triumphant people under
His benignant sway. This is only saying what the prophet has said
already (chap. ii. 4; ix. 7), that the kingdom of Christ would be a
kingdom of peace. Consider--
+I. How marvellously and gloriously this prediction has been
fulfilled.+ To appreciate this, we must recall the condition of the
world at the time when "the day" of which our text speaks dawned upon
it. Nations were everywhere divided from each other by jealousies and
hatreds as virulent as those that divided Ephraim from Judah; there
was peace only because they were restrained from active hostility by
the strong hand of Roman power. Hatred of other nations was regarded
not as a crime, but as a duty.[1] But Christ inaugurated the empire
of universal brotherhood and love. Wars have not yet ceased even
among nations professing Christianity, but they are no longer openly
gloried in by those who wage them; they are apologised for as sad
necessities. The apology is often insincere, but the fact that it is
made at all is a marvellous tribute to the influence and authority of
Christ. Wherever His true followers meet, national distinctions are
forgotten, and they feel drawn to each other by a mightier and
sweeter bond. As the centuries pass away, the love of Christ becomes
more and more the uniting power of the world.
+II. How sadly imperfect the fulfilment of this prediction still is!+
The era of universal peace has not yet dawned. The world is still
cursed by wars and rumours of wars. Millions of men are maintained in
constant readiness for war. There are bitter contentions among the
sections of the Christian Church, these tribes of the modern Israel.
Class is divided from class. So-called Christian families are
saddened by bitter feuds.
+III. The blessedness of the era that shall yet dawn upon the world.+
The Christian often dreams of it; his dreams are sweet as those which
hungry men have of banquets, and shipwrecked sailors drifting
helplessly on rafts in the wide ocean have of their native village
and of meeting with their loved ones there; and in their waking hours
they, too, are apt to be saddened by the fear that their dreams too
are as utterly incapable of realisation. But it is not so. They shall
all be realised, for the authority of Christ shall yet be universal,
real, absolute; and all the listening angels shall not be able to
detect one sound of discord rising from the round world, for the
whole world shall be full of the peace of Christ (P. D., 2465, 2466,
2676).
+IV. Our duty in regard to this prediction.+ We are not merely to
dream dreams of the blessedness of the era that shall yet be ushered
in. We are to _do_ something to hasten its dawning. 1. We are to pray
for it with yearning hearts. 2. We are to do our utmost, in every
possible way, to extend the knowledge of the Gospel throughout the
world. The Gospel, not commerce, is the true civiliser and uniter of
nations: commerce will prosper on the Gospel triumphs. True, many
converts are only nominally Christians, but in many cases that _is_
the first step towards their becoming real Christians, _i.e.,_ men
who will pray and labour for universal peace. 3. Minor and
contributory duties. (1.) The diffusion of knowledge that will tend
to bring home to the understandings and hearts of men the hurtfulness
of war, and the preparation for war. (2.) The discouragement and
overthrow of those statesmen, to whichever party they may belong,
whose policy tends to foster national animosities. (3.) The
discouragement of all pursuits and things that tend to familiarise
men with war and keep alive in them a passion for it, _e.g.,_ the
volunteer movement; pictures, poems, and newspapers that glorify
successful soldiers, as if in them the noblest ideal of manhood were
realised. (4.) Careful education of our children in Christian
sentiments concerning foreign nations and war. By constant
heedfulness of these duties, we shall do something to hasten the
dawning of the era of universal peace and blessedness, and we shall
not have lived in vain.