Bible Commentaries

DISCOURSE: 861

EXHORTATION TO A HOLY WALK

Isaiah 2:5. O house of Jacob, come ye, and let us walk in the light of the Lord.

MANY prophecies there are which are not yet accomplished, especially among those which are to be fulfilled “in the last days.” The last days were understood even by the Jews themselves as relating to the days of the Messiah; and they comprehend all the time from his first advent in the flesh to the period when his kingdom shall be fully established upon earth. Hence the prophecies relating to that period must have different degrees of accomplishment; being partly fulfilled in the first triumphs of the Gospel, but having a further and more entire accomplishment when all the kingdoms of the world shall become the kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Thus it is that we are to understand the prophecy contained in the preceding context. “The mountain of the Lord’s House,” that is, the Gospel Church, was established on the top of the mountains in the apostolic age, when it triumphed over heathen idolatry and Jewish superstition; and myriads of converts encouraged one another to serve and glorify their God: but we have not yet seen the time when “swords have been beaten into ploughshares, and spears into pruning-hooks, and nations have ceased to learn and practise the art of war.” That time however will come: and we should long, and labour to the utmost of our power, to hasten it forward. We should even now anticipate it; yea, we will anticipate it: “O house of Jacob, come ye, and let us walk in the light of the Lord!”

Let us walk in the light,

I. Of his truth—

His truth now shines in its meridian splendour—

[“The darkness is indeed past; and the true light now shineth [Note: 1 John 2:8.].” “The day-star has arisen [Note: 2 Peter 1:19.]:” “the day-spring from on high hath visited us [Note: Luke 1:78-79.].” “the Sun of Righteousness [Note: Malachi 4:2.]” shineth forth in his brightness: and the way of salvation through a crucified Redeemer is now so plain, that “no wayfaring man, though a fool, can err therein [Note: Isaiah 35:8.]” — — — “On the face of Moses there was a veil, that they who received the law should not see its full import: but if the Gospel be hid, it is from those only whom the god of this world hath blinded;” since “we may all with open (that is, unveiled) face behold as in a mirror the glory of the Lord [Note: 2 Corinthians 3:13-18.]” — — —]

Let us then walk in it—

[Having the light, we should “believe in the light, that we may be the children of light [Note: John 12:35-36.].” We should embrace with all thankfulness the way of salvation revealed in the Gospel. We should “come to Christ,” as the appointed Saviour of a ruined world [Note: Matthew 11:28.]: we should “look to him,” as dying upon the cross for us [Note: Isaiah 45:22.]: we should “build upon him, as our only foundation [Note: 1 Corinthians 3:11.];” and “cleave unto him with full purpose of heart [Note: Acts 11:23.];” and “determine to know none but him [Note: 1 Corinthians 2:2.],” and to “glory in nothing but the cross of Christ [Note: Galatians 6:14.]” — — — “Arise then, and be enlightened, for the light is come; and the glory of the Lord is risen upon you [Note: Isaiah 60:1. The marginal reading.].”]

Whilst confiding in God as reconciled to us by the blood of the cross, we should endeavour to walk in the light,

II. Of his countenance—

This is the privilege of a true believer—

[So it is declared to be, by one who experienced it richly in his own soul [Note: Psalms 89:15.]. God presents himself to us in the Gospel under the endearing relations of a Father and a Friend, to whom we may carry every want, every trial, every difficulty; and from whom we may expect a supply according to our need. He will be not only “our God,” but “a God unto us [Note: 1 Chronicles 17:24.],” putting forth all his wisdom, all his love, and all his power, to make us truly blessed. He will engage in this work “with his whole heart and with his whole soul [Note: Jeremiah 32:41];” so that it must be utterly our own fault if we be not as holy, and as happy, as our hearts can wish — — —]

Let us then enjoy our privilege—

[Let us “walk with God,” as Enoch did; and “glory in him as the God of our salvation.” See what holy joy David found in communion with him [Note: Psalms 63:1-5 and Psalms 145:1-12 and Psalms 150.] — — — and shall we who live under a so much nobler dispensation experience less? Shall not we, who have so much clearer views of Christ, “rejoice in him with joy unspeakable and glorified?” O let us “delight ourselves in God”, and have even now, “in the secret of his presence” and the consolations of his Spirit, an earnest and a foretaste of our heavenly inheritance [Note: Psalms 31:20. Ephesians 1:13-14.] — — —]

But we shall in vain hope to enjoy his presence, if we walk not also in the light,

III. Of his commandments—

These are given by him “as a light to our feet and a lantern to our paths”—

[Without them we should not “know how to walk and to please God;” but by them we are fully informed in all things that are needful for us to do [Note: Proverbs 6:23.]. They do not indeed descend to every particular circumstance in which we can be placed; but they afford principles which are universally applicable, and which are quite sufficient for our direction when duly applied. The duty of “doing to others as we would be done unto,” is so comprehensive as to embrace every part of our social duty, whilst it is so simple that it may be comprehended and applied by every one who desires to please God.]

Let us then make these the one rule of our conduct—

[Let us not attempt to reduce them to the standard of the world, but endeavour rather to raise our conduct to the standard of God’s revealed will. Let us treasure up in our minds the most exalted precepts, and “hide God’s word in our hearts, that we may not sin against him;” for “then shall we not be ashamed, when we have respect unto all God’s commandments” — — —]

In addressing “the house of Jacob,” we must speak to,

1. Those who are nominally so—

[It is but too true, that “all are not Israel, who are of Israel:” and those who are only of the house of Jacob by name and profession, may know it by their walk and conversation. Consider, I pray you, in what light you have walked: Is it not manifest, that the generality who call themselves Christians are influenced only by the things of time and sense; and that their principles and pursuits are altogether earthly? Know then, ye lovers of this present evil world, that, if God’s word may be depended on, you are deluding yourselves to your eternal ruin [Note: Isaiah 50:11.]. You “sow the wind, and you shall reap the whirlwind [Note: Hosea 8:7.].” When will you begin to see, that “one thing,” and one thing only, “is needful?” When will you learn to say, “Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire in comparison of thee?” That you should seek present, as well as eternal, happiness, we grant: but you should seek it where David did; “Who will shew us any good? Lord, lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon us; and that will put more gladness in my heart than any increase of corn, wine, and oil can ever do [Note: Psalms 4:6-7.].”]

2. Those who are really so—

[You have found that God in Christ is “a fountain of life; and in his light you have seen light [Note: Psalms 36:9.].” You therefore are “children of the light and of the day.” But if you are so highly distinguished in your character, think how distinguished you should also be in our conduct [Note: Ephesians 5:8. 1 Thessalonians 5:5-6.]. The eyes of all are upon you: they will look particularly to see whether religion is such a source of happiness as you profess. O shew them that “you need neither the sun to lighten you by day, nor the moon by night, since the Lord has been a light unto you, and your God your glory [Note: Isaiah 60:19.].” Shew them that even in the greatest troubles you have a fountain of consolation to go unto; and that “when you walk in darkness, the Lord is a light unto you [Note: Job 29:3. Micah 7:8.].” And, as it is eminently characteristic of Gospel times to encourage one another in the ways of God, see that you do so, “speaking one with another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your hearts unto the Lord.” Then, from enjoying God in his courts below, you shall be taken to serve him in his temple above, where your largest desires shall be satisfied, and your utmost capacities be filled [Note: Revelation 21:22-23. Psalms 16:11.].]