Isaiah 62:8, 9 The LORD has sworn by his right hand, and by the arm of his strength, Surely I will no more give your corn to be meat for your enemies… The principal lesson here is the inestimable advantage of national independence and consequent individual security. But other lessons also stand out from the passage, viz. - I. THE REALITY OF NATIONAL RESPONSIBILITY. It is very clearly implied that Israel had suffered grievously in the past as a nation, because of God's wrath. She had sinned and had been condemned, and she had paid the penalty of suffering from a cruel and rapacious invasion; so that her citizens ate not of the corn they had sown, and drank not of the wine they had planted. God makes nations as well as individuals to pay due penalty for their transgressions. Hence we have - II. THE INDIVIDUAL OBLIGATION which this fact entails. It is impossible for any man to sever himself from the community of which he is a member; he is not at liberty to leave the national course, to be decided by other men, while he gives himself up to more congenial labours. No man can divest himself of his responsibilities as a citizen of his country; every man is bound to exert his influence on behalf of liberty, righteousness, peace, virtue, godliness. III. THE VALUE OF SECURITY. If it be uncertain whether men will reap what they sow, if it is probable that strangers will partake of the fruit of men's toil, there will be a constantly and powerfully disturbing force at work. But security will promote: 1. Order and good government. 2. Industry - occupation, enterprise, the useful arts. 3. Benevolence - the origination and growth of philanthropic institutions. 4. Piety - the erection of sacred structures and the establishment of religious organizations. 1. Let the prosperity which is the fruit of security be consecrated by gratitude and benevolence. "Eat and praise the Lord," bring the wine "into the courts or his holiness." Beware of a selfish and complacent spirit (see Deuteronomy 6:12), and cultivate carefully and devoutly a spirit of gratitude toward God and kindness toward man. 2. Appreciate at its full worth and give God thanks for the national security which is enjoyed. It is not one of the smaller mercies we have received at his hand that we have no fear of being displaced by any "stranger," that we are so secure of the fruits of our toil. This sense of safety and stability has contributed largely to the resources at our command, and is adding incalculably to the best movements and measures of our time. 3. Rejoice in and bless God for the fact that even though we may not reap all that we sow here, there is a future in which the workman shall be amply and gloriously rewarded (Psalm 126:6; 1 Corinthians 15:58). - C. Parallel Verses KJV: The LORD hath sworn by his right hand, and by the arm of his strength, Surely I will no more give thy corn to be meat for thine enemies; and the sons of the stranger shall not drink thy wine, for the which thou hast laboured: |
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