xxvii. 6. _He shall cause them, &c._[1]
It did not often happen to ancient nations to rise into new vigour
after being conquered and removed. Ancient Assyria and Babylon fell,
and their influence faded. But it was otherwise with Israel. They had
flourished; abused their trust; were punished by being conquered and
removed. But they did not perish. From the Babylonian grave they
rose. Centuries longer they existed, until their crowning sin. No
further need for their national existence. It ceased. But their
separate identify as a race continued. The Jew is everywhere.
Everywhere he is a witness to the truth of the Bible. And the
_influence_ of the Jewish people continues. The influence of the
classic writers of Greece and Rome continues. Their study is
essential to a liberal education. But only the few enjoy that
advantage. The literature of the Jewish race was confined almost
entirely to their sacred books. But how wide its influence! Read by
the scholar and the peasant, &c. Lifts men's thoughts above the level
of this world, and presents a loftier ideal of human character than
any of the mere "thinkers" of ancient or modern times.
Nor is it only the perpetuation and influence of a literature. It is
the perpetuation of a type of moral life. One who came of Jacob has
exerted and is exerting an influence never equalled. Born in a
manger, trained in poverty, dying on a cross, He has been and is the
fountain of spiritual life to millions. In him they have become a new
seed of Jacob (Gal. iii. 29).
The text foretells the stability, the growth, and the diffusion of
the Church.
I. ITS STABILITY. _"Take rest."_ This is necessary to _growth._ And
_life_ is necessary to _it._ You may plant a stone, or a piece of
dried wood, but it can never take root. Why? It wants the mysterious
principle called life. Reasons for this. And the roots are the
firmest part of the plant. Hence the metaphor--a man is rooted in his
position. Fine forest-tree with roots, like arms, many feet on every
side. Impossible to dislodge that tree. This is one of the emblems of
the stability of the Christian's spiritual position (Col. ii. 7).
Thus the stability of the Church, the aggregate of spiritual men, is
set forth in the text. It has struck its roots so deep, and spread
them so far, that, as hitherto, so in the future, it shall continue.
Storms of opposition, persecution, infidelity unable to uproot it.
"The gates of hell shall not prevail."
II. ITS GROWTH. Rooting of a tree only valuable in relation to its
continued life and growth. Look at it in the individual member of the
spiritual Israel. In the living tree in spring the bud breaks forth,
then the beautiful blossom--promise of the fruit. So in the Christian
life. Gradually it develops by a certain though irregular
progression. Nor will this promise of fruitfulness be falsified (Gal.
v. 22, 23; Rom. vi. 22; Ps. xcii. 13, 14; H. E. I., 2508-2516,
2538-2544). Multiply this by the number of living members in any
Church, and how much of spiritual goodness, and beauty will be in
that circle! Not only within it, but in the homes, among the
neighbours, over the whole sphere of their influence. Then multiply
this by all the Churches. What an amount of moral beauty thus in the
world!
III. ITS DIFFUSION. _"And fill the face of the world with fruit."_
This vision was always present to the prophet's eye. Suppose it
realised, and the whole world converted. Then the world will be
filled with goodness. But it is all in the spiritual succession from
Jacob. How much comes of little! So it has ever been; small
beginnings, gradual growth, great endings.
Do you say you cannot believe in the world's conversion? Do you
believe the harvest comes from the seed? That Jesus multiplied the
loaves? Is anything too hard for the Lord?--_J. Rawlinson._