xxviii. 29. _This also cometh forth from the Lord of hosts,
which is wonderful in counsel, and excellent in working._
The sentiment of the text is that _the art, and science, and skill of
man are the gifts of God._ The prophet instances only agriculture,
but the same principle applies to all the arts and manufactures, and
in a higher degree still to those sublimer sciences which elevate the
human mind, and make us acquainted with the majestic and mysterious
powers of nature. The drift of the writer of the text is this, _if
God thus instructs man in wisdom, how wise must He be Himself!_ If
the mere rays which come from Him convey to us so much light that we
are perfectly astonished at what man can do, what must be the
infinite wisdom in counsel and the excellence of working which are to
be discovered in God Himself! There are two things which shall occupy
our attention. The first is, _the vision of God which the text
presents to us;_ and the second is, _the lesson which such a vision
is calculated to teach us._
+I. The vision of God which is presented to us in the text.+ The
great principle of the text is that _God has a plan, and that this
plan is wonderful in itself, and is found to be excellent when it is
carried out._ This is illustrated 1. _in nature._ All creation is
full of traces of design. "He weighed the mountains in scales, and
the hills in a balance." Nothing was made without the most accurate
calculation. The stars seem cast about on the floor of heaven as men
might fling at random gold-dust from their hands; yet there is not a
single star whose place might be altered without mischief to the
whole arrangement. In the meanest animal and minutest insect there
are the most admirable contrivances to suit its habits and make its
condition happy. And apparent irregularity is only undiscovered
order. 2. _From providence._ The great providential operations of God
are all the results of His foredetermined purpose and decree. All
through human history every lover of the Lord will see that the awful
wheels of providence have worked with excellent regularity. Empires
have fallen, but the truth has risen. Dynasties have perished, but
immortal principles have conquered. 3. _Your own personal experience
of that providence_ goes to prove this with equal clearness. How
often have you seen that God overrules all things for your good!
(H. E. I. 4015-4022). 4. The wonderful planning of the excellent
Worker is seen in _the great economy of Redemption._ How marvellous
that God, the Mighty Maker, should appear in human flesh and become a
man, that so fallen, sinful, miserable man might be lifted up and
become the son of God! When I see this great sight these words of
Isaiah's ring with a bell-like music in my ears, "He is wonderful in
counsel." 5. Then turning from Redemption itself, look at _the
Gospel._ That Gospel is just the reverse of what human wisdom would
advise. It is not "do and live," but "believe and live." 6. Then I
might speak of God's plan and God's work _in inward experience._ The
experience of every Christian is in some respects different from that
of another, but it is always the result of God's plan. 7. Another
illustration will be found _in the use of instrumentality._ It is a
wonderful design of God to use one man in the conversion of another.
The one is benefited while the other is blessed. 8. The grandest,
illustration of all will be when, at last, _God's counsels shall be
perfectly fulfilled._ Man shall burst forth into one mighty song,
"Hallelujah! Hallelujah! the Lord God Omnipotent reigneth!" (Rev.
xix. 6).
+II. Some of the lessons from it.+--1. To the unconverted: seeing His
counsel is so wondrous, I would to God _you would agree to it!_ 2. To
the people of God: I want you _to agree to this in your own
particular case._ 3. Brother workers, let us have a well-formed plan,
and _let it be God's plan._ 4. When we know God's plan we _must
remember to carry it out._ 5. When you are resolved to carry out
God's plan, _joyfully expect singular assistance._--_C. H. Spurgeon._