xxx. 21. _And thou shalt hear a voice behind thee, &c._
This may be a promise to God's people of the continuance of the
services of the ministry, or of the additional blessings of spiritual
suggestions to guide them in the path of duty.
I. It may be continuance of the promise in the preceding verse: "Thy
teachers shall not be removed into a corner any more, but thine eyes
shall see thy teachers, _and_ thine ears shall hear a word behind
thee." The Word of God proclaimed by faithful ministers follows men.
Sometimes, as they listen to it, they reject it, but it pursues them,
and gives them no rest until they obey it. When they are bent on a
wrong course, it haunts them until they are recalled to duty. Or it
stimulates them to the performance of duties they are neglecting or
performing sluggishly. Thus understood, we may see that in this
promise God compares Himself as it were to a shepherd, who puts his
sheep before him; or to a schoolmaster who will have his scholars in
sight, that so he may the better keep them in order.
Thus understood, we see our duty. It is to give reverent heed to the
Word of God as proclaimed to us by His ministers. Food, however
choice, is no blessing to us unless it be eaten and digested; and the
Word of God is no blessing to us, except there be an ear to hearken
to it, a spiritual taste to relish it, and a heart to close and
comply with it. Well is it with those who imitate Lydia (Acts
xvi. 14). But neglect of God's Word shuts against us even the throne
of grace (Prov. xxviii. 9). To those who disregard what they know to
be the voice of God, there comes a time when they discover that the
greatest of all calamities is to have their voice disregarded by Him
(Prov. i. 24-26).
II. But the promise may be that of an additional blessing, the inward
motions and suggestions of the Holy Spirit. His voice may be called
"a word behind us," because--1. Of its secresy (Job iv. 12).
2. Because it follows us always, as constantly as our shadow.
Parallels to this promise we find in 1 John ii. 20, 27; John xiv. 26,
xvi. 13.
III. This voice His people hear when they are about to wander, or
have wandered from the way of righteousness. From that way it is easy
to depart; but God loves His people, and cannot abide to see them
miscarry, and therefore He counsels them. "This is the way, walk ye
in it," is sometimes a word of correction and reformation, in case of
error; sometimes a word of instruction and direction, in case of
ignorance; sometimes a word of strengthening and confirmation, in
case of unsettledness.
In all these respects God's people hear the "word behind them,"
sometimes giving them very gracious hints concerning the affairs of
this present life, but more frequently concerning the spiritual life.
Those who wait upon God shall not lack counsels concerning the manner
in which they are to serve Him. He answers the prayers of His people
(Ps. xxv. 4, 5; lxxxvi. 11; cxliii. 8).
What a great comfort and encouragement we have here! If we really
desire to serve God amid all the labyrinths and uncertainties of this
present life, we shall be safe, for He will guide us.
IV. But how may we know whether the word behind us is the voice of
God, and not merely one of our own fancies, or a suggestion of
Satan's? There are several touchstones by which every "word" may and
should be tested. 1. The word within is to be compared with the Word
without. Every suggestion is to be examined by the rule of Scripture.
God never speaks in the conscience contrary to what He speaks there,
for He is unchangeable and cannot contradict Himself (Isa. viii. 20).
2. God's "words" are orderly and regular; they keep men within the
compass of their callings, and the place in which God has set them.
They incite us not to forsake our duty, but to be faithful in it.
3. They are ordinarily mild, gentle, seasonable; they are not
ordinarily raptures, but such as leave a man in a right apprehension
of what he does, and capable of reflection upon it. 4. They are
discernible also from their effects, and the ends to which they tend.
All the hints and motions of God's Spirit tend to make us better, and
to carry us nearer to Himself in one way or another. Honestly using
these tests, we shall learn promptly and surely to discern the voice
of God's Spirit when He says to us, "This is the way, walk ye in it."
V. From all this two duties plainly arise. 1. _Thankfulness._ A
faithful monitor is a very great advantage; it is so betwixt man and
man, and we should bless God that He condescends to be this to us.
2. _Obedience._ To His infallible, loving counsel we should give
prompt heed, especially as He not only points out the way, but is
always ready to help us to walk in it; and the way in which He would
have us go is the only one that leads to true happiness and lasting
peace. Disobedience exposes us to manifold dangers, such as
(1.) God's future silence; when His counsels are repeatedly rejected,
He will cease to speak. What a terrible calamity (1 Sam. xxviii. 5).
(2.) Those who hearken not to the voice of God in them are often
given up to Satan, and their own corruptions bear away within them
(Ps. lxxxi. 11, 12).--_Thomas Horton, D.D.: 100 Select Sermons,_ pp.
298-304.
+I. Our need of the guidance here promised.+ We are ignorant of the
way to true happiness, and we have not always daylight. The path is
narrow, and is sometimes very intricate. It lies through an enemy's
country. Many as wise as we have lost their way, and, after years of
sorrow, have perished miserably. We need this guidance in youth, in
manhood, in old age, even unto death (P. D., 952, 2388).
+II. Some of the means by which God guides His people.+ The promise
in our text suggests a traveller in doubt as to the course he should
take, pausing perplexed at cross roads, and in danger of choosing a
wrong one, when a friendly voice behind him is heard, saying, "This
is the way, walk ye in it." God thus speaks to His people. 1. By His
_providences._ Afflictions are often monitions and instructions
(H. E. I., 66-70). 2. By His _Word._ It clearly marks the path to
heaven. 3. By our _conscience_ (H. E. I., 1291, 1304, 1308-1312).
4. By His _Spirit;_ by Whom conscience is quickened, our
understanding cleared of delusions, our attention fixed on the happy
career of the righteous, and the disastrous end of the wicked.
+III. What is needed to enable us to profit by this promise.+ 1. A
prayerful spirit (ver. 19). 2. A studious eye that will look for the
waymarks, especially for the footprints of Jesus. 3. A listening ear.
4. An obedient habit of mind (1 Sam. xv. 22; P. D., 1656). Disregard
of the Guiding Voice will involve us in present disaster and misery,
and in eternal woe. Heedfulness of it will ensure for us present
safety and peace, and eternal blessedness.--_Samuel Thodey._