Isaiah 43:5-6 Fear not: for I am with you: I will bring your seed from the east, and gather you from the west;… This prophecy looks far beyond the deliverance of the Jews from their former captivity. It evidently points to that great and glorious deliverance which still awaits them. A deliverance that will eclipse and infinitely outshine their former deliverances from Egypt and from Babylon. Apply the passage to the recall and conversion of the Jews. I. OUR OBLIGATIONS, AS CHRISTIANS, TO ENGAGE IN THIS WORK. 1. Gratitude for the inestimable benefits which we have derived from them (Romans 3:1, 2; Romans 9:4, 5). 2. As a reparation of the cruel wrongs and injuries which we have inflicted upon them. Every Christian country is deep in this guilt, and every Christian country requires a national expiation of it. 3. From an ardent desire to promote the glory of God. II. OUR ENCOURAGEMENT TO PROCEED AND PERSEVERE IN IT. To some, the attempt to convert the Jews may appear visionary; to others, inexpedient; but they who are acquainted with their Bibles must know that it is not hopeless. We are encouraged to attempt this work — 1. From the testimony of prophecy. 2. From the very great attention which has already been excited among the Jews. 3. From the present signs of the times. III. THE GLORIOUS CONSEQUENCES THAT WILL RESULT FROM THE CONVERSION OF THE JEWS. 1. To the world. It will be the commencement of a new and blessed era to all nations. 2. To the Church of God. The conversion of the Jews shall be the means of bringing in the whole fulness of the Gentiles. (1) To God's covenant with Abraham and with his seed you owe all that you are, and all that you hope to be. (2) When Christ sent forth His apostles. to preach the Gospel of the kingdom," He particularly charged them to begin at Jerusalem." (Earl Gibbee, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: Fear not: for I am with thee: I will bring thy seed from the east, and gather thee from the west; |
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