xxxii. 2. _A man shall be as an hiding place, &c._
These figures all coincide in setting forth one great and blessed
truth--the truth that _in Christ there is suitable and complete
relief under every circumstance of distress:_ in distress
arising--1. from _temporal sufferings;_ 2. from _conviction of sin;_
3. from _strong temptation;_ 4. from the _near approach of
death._--_John Watt, B.D.: Sermons,_ pp. 92-108.
Jesus Christ--I. The refuge from all dangers; II. The fruition of all
desires; III. The rest and refreshment in all trials.--_A. Maclaren,
B.A.: Sermons, Third Series,_ p. 135.
This prediction, uttered in the days of Ahaz, had a primary reference
to Hezekiah, and to the relief from wicked magistrates which would be
experienced in his reign. But its ultimate reference was to the Lord
Jesus Christ. Here are three separate figures, very striking to an
Eastern ear, which admit of distinct illustration:--+I. "A
hiding-place from the wind and a covert from the tempest."+[1] This
is but one figure, for the latter clause, as is common in Eastern
poetry, is only the echo of the former. Jesus is found to be the best
hiding-place and covert:--1. From the winds and tempests of
_affliction._ 2. From the tempest of _an agitated conscience._ 3. He
is the only hiding-place for the tempest of _Divine wrath._ +II. "As
rivers of water in a dry place,"+--that is, Jesus conveys
satisfaction and refreshment to those who can find them nowhere else.
He alone satisfies the heart's thirst--1. for _happiness;_ 2. for
_consolation;_ 3. for _reconciliation with God._ +III. "As the shadow
of a great rock in a weary land."+[2] Such a retreat does our
Redeemer afford to those who are fainting under the labours and
discouragements of this wearisome life (Isa. 1-4, Jer. xxxi. 25).
1. Let us thank God for such a Saviour--the very Saviour we need.
2. Let us abide in Him--we always need Him.--_E. Griffin, D.D.:
Fifty-nine Plain Practical Sermons,_ pp. 261-270.
1. _There underlies this prophecy a very sad, a very true conception
of human life._ The three promises imply three diverse aspects of
man's need and misery. The "covert" and the "hiding-place" imply
tempest and storm and danger; the "rivers of water" imply drought and
thirst; the "shadow of a great rock" implies lassitude and languor,
fatigue and weariness. Sad this is, but how true! Do we not need a
"covert" from the tempests of adverse circumstances, of temptations,
of God's anger kindled by our sins!
II. _There shines through these words a mysterious hope_--the hope
that one of ourselves shall deliver us from all this evil in life. "A
_man,_" &c. Such an expectation seems to be right in the teeth of all
experience, and far too high pitched even to be fulfilled. It appears
to demand in him who should bring it to pass powers which are more
than human, and which must in some inexplicable way be wide as the
range of humanity and enduring as the succession of the ages. All
experience seems to teach that no human arm or heart can be to
another soul what these words promise, and what we need.
III. _This mysterious hope is fulfilled in Jesus Christ._ That which
seemed impossible is real. The forebodings of experience have not
fathomed the powers of Divine Love. There _is_ a man, our brother,
bone of our bone, and flesh of our flesh, who can be to all human
souls the adequate object of their perfect trust, the abiding home of
their deepest love, the unfailing supply for their profoundest wants.
Behind His protection they are safe, by His grace they are satisfied,
beneath His shelter they have rest.--_A. Maclaren, B.A.: Sermons,
Third Series,_ pp. 136-147.
I. We have here AN INSTRUMENT OF CONSOLATION.[3] +1. It was an
instrument of consolation to those who first heard it.+ The prophecy
in which it occurs was given in the time of Ahaz, when justice was
perverted, and the government, which should have been for the
protection of the people, was organised for their oppression.
Terrible are the sufferings of men at such a time, and precious was
the hope which this prophecy held out of "a man"--a ruler--who should
be a defence and blessing to the poor of the nation. +2. It was an
instrument of consolation to devout men in all the centuries which
intervened between its utterance and the coming of Christ.+ In due
time Hezekiah ascended the throne, and in him this prophecy had a
partial fulfilment. But he passed away, and Israel needed such "a
man" as much as ever. Devout men learned to look for him in the
Messiah for whom they and their fathers had waited. In the midst of
national and personal humiliation and sufferings, they were sustained
and cheered by the hope of His advent. 3. In due time He appeared.
Whether in Him this prophecy was completely or only partially
fulfilled, let any reader of the Gospels testify. +And since the days
when Christ went about Judæa, solacing human woes, and ministering to
human necessities, this declaration has been still more full of
consolation to generation after generation down to our own day.+ It
has taught men to whom to flee in their distresses, and fleeing to
Him they have found that it was with no vain hope that it had cheered
them. When you think what it has been to men ever since it was
uttered, can you help looking upon it with love?
II. OF THIS INSTRUMENT OF CONSOLATION ALL MEN HAVE NEED. There are
some portions of Scripture which have only a limited interest,
because they are for special classes (_e.g.,_ kings, subjects,
parents, children, &c.); but this is a portion for every one. The
needs of which it speaks will be felt by all men; and all men, at
some time or other, will long for the blessings which it promises.
Hence--+1. It should be stored up in the memory of the young.+[4]
+2. The aged should count it one of their chief treasures.+[5]
III. TO THE PRESENT AND PERMANENT VALUE OF THIS INSTRUMENT OF
CONSOLATION THERE ARE MILLIONS OF LIVING WITNESSES. The declarations
of our text are very beautiful, but the important question is, Are
they _true? Is Christ to His people all that He is here said to be?_
1. Our text says that +Christ is a refuge for His people.+ "As a
hiding-place from the wind, and a covert from the tempest." Remember
what kind of storms sometimes sweep across the Eastern deserts. [See
outline: THE CHRISTIAN'S REFUGE, section I.] As you have pursued the
pilgrimage of human life, have any such storms burst upon you?--the
storm of adversity? of persecution? of an awakened conscience? of
temptations? The worst storms are those which rage _within_ a man! In
such storms where did you find shelter? what did you find Christ to
be to _you?_ 2. Our text says that +Christ will satisfy the thirst of
His people.+ Picture the scene at Rephidim. To the multitudes who had
almost died of thirst, how welcome were the streams that burst from
the smitten rock! All men thirst for _happiness;_ the distressed for
_consolation,_ the penitent for _reconciliation with God._ In these
respects, has Christ been to _you_ "as rivers of water in a dry
place?" 3. Our text says that +Christ will give rest to His
people.+[6]
IV. Every truth is a call to duty. TO WHAT DUTIES DOES OUR TEXT CALL
US? If we have had a personal experience of the truth of its
declarations, it says--1. PRAISE GOD. Would not a storm-driven
traveller give thanks for "a covert," the thirst-consumed for "rivers
of water," the faint and weary for "the shadow of a great rock?" Let
us remember what Christ has been to us, and give "thanks unto God for
His unspeakable gift!" 2. TAKE COURAGE. Usually as years increase
troubles multiply: but what Christ has been to you in the past, He
will be in the future--an all-sufficient Saviour! 3. To those who
have not yet had a personal experience of the truth of its
declarations, my text says, COME TO JESUS. Its promises are
invitations. Is not a well of water in itself an invitation to a
thirsty man? You need all that the text promises; and in the
experience of millions of men living _now,_ you have abundant
evidence that its promises are worthy of your trust. Familiarise
yourself with the "hiding-place" _before_ the tempests of life burst
upon you, that in the day of storm you may know whither to flee.
Blessed are they who have made the Man of whom our text speaks their
friend. According to His word (Matt. xxviii.), He is with them
"always," "as a hiding-place from the wind, and a covert from the
tempest; as rivers of water in a dry place, as the shadow of a great
rock in a weary land."