Isaiah 21:11-12 The burden of Dumah. He calls to me out of Seir, Watchman, what of the night? Watchman, what of the night?… I. Let us see how this inquiry will apply to THE WORLD IN GENERAL The world commenced with a bright and sinless morning. But early in the history of our race, the power of the tempter was so successfully wielded, that the bright morning was succeeded by a day of dark clouds and desolating storms. With the growth of the world's population the overspreading darkness grew until God could bear with the wickedness of the world no more. After the deluge the world started anew from another head. Old crimes, old corruptions, quickly regained their sway. Long centuries came and passed away. The moral heavens grew darker as time rolled by, and as the world's inhabitants increased in numbers. Here and there only was there a ray of light shining amid the abounding darkness. Outside of Judea there was not much to dispel the darkness. Greece, somewhat enlightened, furnished a Socrates and a Plato. But Greece, because of her crimes and vices, soon went down to ruin. The once magnificent empires, Egypt, Assyria, Greece, and Rome, were alike involved in the moral night of error and sin, and their greatness, once so commanding, and their glory, once so brilliant, have passed away. Indeed, in all succeeding ages, and among all the peoples of the earth, the darkness has prevailed. What prospect is there for this sin-darkened world? We may respond in the words of the prophet: "The morning cometh." The long night of captivity, of error, of wrong, of violence shall give place to the glorious day, wherein the ransomed of the Lord everywhere shall rejoice in that liberty with which God makes His people free. II. How will the inquiry of our text apply to ISAIAH'S TIME? It was indeed for the chosen people a time of darkness. The Jews were captives in Babylon. Isaiah had a grander vision and saw another morning. He saw the breaking day, and told of the advent of the promised Messiah, who was to be the light and the glory of the world. The vision which Isaiah saw we also are permitted to see. We see the complete fulfilment of many of the predictions of the prophet. And there are the signs, which will not fail, that his grandest visions will be realised. III. How will this inquiry, "Watchman, what of the night?" apply to our OWN TIMES? 1. Glance for a moment at the progress that has been made in our times in science and in art. 2. Ours has been a time of moral progress. 3. The religious progress of the world is remarkable. 4. All around us are signs of improvement. IV. How will this inquiry, "Watchman, what of the night?" apply to OURSELVES PERSONALLY? 1. There is the night of scepticism, or partial scepticism, in which some are involved. To the earnest and sincere inquirer the response must be, "The morning cometh," 2. There is a night of worldliness. For the worldly the morning waiteth. Christ stands at the door and knocks. He is the light and the life of men. 3. There is a night of penitential sorrow. For every awakened, penitent, and believing one the morning cometh. 4. There is the night of suffering. The morning cometh, when the wounds of the sorrowing shall be healed, and when their sorrow shall be turned into joy. 5. The Christian worker may sometimes inquire, "Watchman, what of the night?" Learn to labour faithfully and to wait. 6. While the morning cometh for all who willingly hear and obey the Gospel, the night also cometh for the disobedient and unbelieving. (D. D. Currie.) Parallel Verses KJV: The burden of Dumah. He calleth to me out of Seir, Watchman, what of the night? Watchman, what of the night? |
    |