xxxiii. 21. _But there the glorious Lord shall be unto us a
place of broad rivers and streams; wherein shall go no
galley with any oars, neither shall gallant ship pass
thereby._
The prophet here speaks for the encouragement of God's Church; and he
appears to overstep the boundaries of time, and gives a glimpse of
the blessedness and safety of the Church triumphant. In our
interpretation let us take a large view, and refer, as the course of
thought may require, both to the Church militant and the Church
triumphant. And let it be deeply impressed on the mind that the
promises of God can be realised only by those who belong to the true
Israel.
I. THE ATTRACTIVE TITLE PROCLAIMED. "The glorious Lord." God is
glorious in His own perfections, and as the source of all the glory
and beauty in this and every other world. Our knowledge of God is
gathered from His manifestations in _nature_ and _revelation._ How
resplendent in glory is the Being thus revealed to us! Especially we
may say, with immediate reference to our subject, He is glorious in
the vastness of His resources. In the summer the streams of the Holy
Land were either entirely dried up, and converted into hot lanes of
glaring sands, or reduced to narrow streamlets. But no summer's heat
can dry up the broad streams of Divine love and mercy. God is
glorious in the abundant nature of His supplies, and in His
willingness to make ample provision for His Church.
II. THE BLESSED COMPARISON INSTITUTED. "The glorious Lord shall be
unto us a place of broad rivers and streams." That is, all that such
rivers and streams are to a country, God would be to His people.
1. _Broad rivers and streams give beauty to the landscape._ All
beauty is from God, and it is a revelation of Him; but especially is
it true that He is the source of all the moral beauty of His people.
2. _Broad rivers give fertility and prosperity._ In such a highly
cultivated country as England, where great droughts are unknown, we
have no opportunity of properly observing the fertilising influence
of a broad river. But remember what the Nile is to Egypt. So does God
enrich and fertilise the soul, causing it to bring forth "the fruits
of righteousness." 3. _Broad rivers afford protection._ Babylon had
its Euphrates, which was a source of power. "Hundred-gated Thebes,"
celebrated by Homer, also had its river. Almost all great modern
cities are built upon the banks of rivers. But Jerusalem had no great
river running through it. In fact, it was badly supplied with water.
Large cisterns were constructed in which to catch and preserve the
rain that came down plentifully in its season. The prophet makes use
of this fact for the encouragement of the Church. The glorious Lord
will be unto it as broad rivers and streams. He is the sure defence
of His people.
III. THE DISTINCTIVE MARK OF DIVINE BLESSINGS HERE SYMBOLISED.
"Wherein shall go no galley with oars, neither shall gallant ship
pass thereby." Earthly blessings have attendant evils; heavenly
blessings alone are pure and perfect. Rivers may prove a source of
weakness as well as strength to a nation.[1] But along the broad
rivers of Divine blessing no foe shall advance to assail God's
people. The presence of God at once confers blessings and averts
evils.--_W. Burrows, B.A._