Isaiah 42:16 And I will bring the blind by a way that they knew not; I will lead them in paths that they have not known… The experience of the Jews and the experience of Christians are so closely analogous that the one is used in Scripture as a type of the other. I. THE CONDITION DESCRIBED. 1. The blindness of the traveller. Is the figure too strong to describe our case? You can look upon the past, and memory will throw her clear light on salient points of the journey. But when you turn round and try to explore the future, you are struck blind, you can see nothing! You cannot tell how long the journey is going to be, or how short; what heights, what depths, you may have to cross, or where they are. 2. The strangeness of the way. "A way they knew not — paths they have not known." You once drew out a map of the course you intended to pursue — will you lay beside it the map of the course you have pursued? What a difference between programme and performance! And so it will be in the future — "It is not in man that walketh to direct his steps." 3. The obstacles in the road. My text tells of "crooked things" and "crooked places"; how true to nature and experience! II. THE CONSOLATION PRESENTED. Remember that it is addressed to God's own people — in other words, to penitent sinners, to humble believers. 1. Here is a promise of the wisest guidance. Blind man, you don't know the way — but God does! 2. Here is a promise of the mightiest help. "I will make darkness light before them, and crooked places straight." 3. Here is a promise of the firmest faithfulness. III. THERE IS ANOTHER JOURNEY TO BE MADE. This is the journey to heaven itself — that more glorious Canaan than any that the Jews sighed,, for in their captivity m" Babylon. But it" is" "the land that is very far off — and how shall we find the way? ..Now this is not so easy as some would have us suppose; for here, too, we are blind travellers-and the way is strange — and there are terrible obstacles in the road. It is a mercy when we discover our condition, and cease trying to guide ourselves; and cry, "Lord, we are blind — do Thou lead us! Lord, save us — or we perish!" What provision has been made for us in the mercy of God? Christ — Who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life! Lay hold of Christ, blind traveller! and never for a moment relax your hold. Here is guidance, help, faithfulness, all-sufficient and unchanging. (F. Tucker, B. A.) Parallel Verses KJV: And I will bring the blind by a way that they knew not; I will lead them in paths that they have not known: I will make darkness light before them, and crooked things straight. These things will I do unto them, and not forsake them. |
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