Isaiah 35:10 And the ransomed of the LORD shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy on their heads… Whoever is familiar with the bold and magnificent character of the prophetic style will not deem the liberation from the Captivity an event too trivial to be predicted in the language here employed. "Minor and temporary deliverances are not only emblems of the great salvation, but preparatory to it." "The first volume of Isaiah's prophecy closes fitly with this transcendent picture, carrying the thoughts of men beyond any possible earthly fulfillment. The outward imagery probably had its starting-point in the processions of the pilgrims who came up to the temple singing psalms, like those known as the 'songs of degrees,' at their successive halting-places." Very strange is the fascination which the "future" exercises on men. It is a "Will-o'-the-wisp" which is ever enticing men on. "At first Time made nought but to-day With its joys, its successes, and sorrow; Then, to keep on good terms with the world, He promised he'd make a to-morrow." No man is really satisfied. He is always hoping for something to happen in the future. And so he is lifted onwards towards the eternal, and in his very restlessness he reveals his immortality. Illustrate from the romance of the child, the ambition of the apprentice, the outlooking of the man, the persistent hopes of the Jewish race. This onlooking is peculiarly characteristic of the Christian, who has the "promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come." The Christian's best is in the eternal. I. THE PEOPLE. "Ransomed of the Lord." The word reminds us of the prisoner and the slave. It may properly be applied in a religious sense, because the Bible represents men as "in bondage," and as "redeemed." "Sold under sin." "Ye were the servants of sin." "Gave his life a ransom." 1. Observe from what bondage we are ransomed. Describe the wretched condition of the slave. How much worse is the condition of the slaves of sin, drink, lust, evil passions, or selfish worldliness! There is a peculiar degradation and a certain final ruin involved in the supreme service of self. "Whosoever committeth sin is the slave of sin." 2. By whom were we ransomed? "Of the Lord." It was a glorious day for England when she broke the fetters of the slave, and let the oppressed go free. It would be thought a great thing for a king to bend down and with his own hands release the slave. Yet God's own Son, God himself "manifest," is our Deliverer. When "there was no eye to pity, and no a,'m to save, his eye pitied and his arm brought salvation." We sing, as Moses did, "The Lord is become my Salvation." 3. At what price has the ransom been accomplished? "Not with corruptible things," but with "the precious blood of Christ." Illustrate the supreme efforts that are often made to raise a ransom price; but what is all the wealth in the world compared with Jesus, who was given for us? Surely such a ransom involves that some great blessedness is yet in store for us. II. THE PLEDGE OF RETURN. "Shall return." It is the word of the living God. Israel, while in captivity, may fully rest upon the Lord's promises. There is a sense in which we may regard ourselves as the "ransomed of the Lord," left for a while in the land of bondage until our home is ready; and while we wait we have comforting assurances in: 1. The work of Jesus: which is represented as being still carried on for us in the heavenly places. 2. The work of the Holy Ghost, who is our Seal, our Earnest, our Sanctifier, unto the day of redemption. 3. The promises of God, which are "exceeding great and precious promises," and which are "yea and amen in Christ Jesus." III. THE RETURN. (For the figures of Israel going to the temple for the feasts, see Psalm 120-126.) Picture the scene of the journey of the exiles from Babylon to Jerusalem. "Songs and everlasting joy 'they know. 1. Theirs is the joy of ransomed ones. Illustrate by the ecstasy of the freed bird, the liberated prisoner, the escaped slave. 2. Theirs is the joy of conquerors. Over sin and self and the world. Illustrate by the triumph of a general returning to his country. 3. Theirs is the joy of those who are going home. Illustrate by the schoolboy, or the traveler, nearing the time for home. "As when the weary traveler gains The height of some o'er-looking hill, The sight his fainting spirit cheers, He eyes his home, though distant still." IV. THE HOME. "Zion." Our "Father's house." "Is it a place?" we often ask. We know little about it. God gives us only figures and pictures which appeal to imagination. The text gives two aspects of it. 1. "Sorrow and sighing flee away." Sorrow comes out of (1) separations; (2) infirmities; (3) death; (4) sin. "There the weary are at rest." The pilgrims enter the city like worn sky-birds to their nests. 2. They obtain joy and gladness. This they have through (1) exalted powers; (2) established purity; (3) intercourse with the loved ones of their human fellowship; (4) nobler and higher service; and (5) the vision, the presence, the smile, of Jesus. They are "ever with the Lord." - R.T. Parallel Verses KJV: And the ransomed of the LORD shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads: they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away. |
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