How the precious sons of Zion, once worth their weight in pure gold, are now esteemed as jars of clay, the work of a potter's hands! Sermons
I. THE TRUE VALUE AND PROPER DIGNITY OF MAN. Comparable to "fine gold" in beauty, preciousness, and use, is our humanity when in the state designed by the Creator, free from the corroding rust of sin, and minted and stamped with the image and superscription of the Most High. II. SIN INVOLVES CHASTISEMENT, AND CHASTISEMENT BRINGS DISGRACE. The striking contrast between gold, fine and solid, on the one hand, and "earthen pitchers" on the other hand, is a pictorial and effective representation of the change which took place in Judah. A holy nation, a kingdom of priests, the chosen of the Eternal, was reduced to the level of the poorest, meanest tribe vanquished and despoiled by an unsparing enemy. Here, as so often, the chosen nation was an emblem of humanity. For though man be by nature the sublimest of God's creatures, when he is abandoned to sin and all its consequences he sinks below the level of the brutes. APPLICATION. Only Divine grace and power can restore the beauty and dignity of which sin has robbed humanity. The gospel of Christ transforms the earthen pitcher into the fine gold of the sanctuary. - T.
The precious sons of Zion, comparable to fine gold, how are they esteemed as earthen pitchers! Homilist. I. THE HEAVENLY ESTIMATE OF GOOD MEN. Good men have a golden value in the estimation of heaven.1. Their principles are intrinsically valuable. They are men of truth, justice, benevolence, worship. 2. Their influence is socially valuable. They are the salt of the earth, the light of the world. 3. Their privileges are infinitely valuable. All things are theirs. Angels are their servants; Christ is their Redeemer; the Lord is their portion. II. THE WORLDLY ESTIMATE OF GOOD MEN. "How are they esteemed as earthen pitchers?" 1. This estimate has ever been lamentably common. 2. This estimate indicates great moral degeneracy. The human soul is constituted to value the true, to admire the excellent, to worship Divine virtues wherever they exist. 3. This estimate entails fearful spiritual evils. The virtues of the good are the world's uplifting powers. Where they are ignored their salutary influence is not felt. (Homilist.) Sketches of Four Hundred Sermons. I. THE CHARACTERS DESCRIBED. "The precious sons of Zion."1. Zion is their spiritual birthplace. Being "begotten again," they have received the spirit of sons (Galatians 4:6), and now aspire after the "better country" to which the sons of Zion are entitled (Isaiah 35:10; Hebrews 11:16). 2. They acknowledge their great and growing obligations to Zion. 3. They are devoted to the interests of Zion. Gratitude, piety, benevolence, prompt them to promote the prosperity of the Church, by persuasion, etc.; and by their example and their prayers (Psalm 122:6-9; Isaiah 62:1; Matthew 5:14-16; Romans 12:1). 4. They are entitled to all the privileges and immunities of Zion. They are "free" (Galatians 4:31); "are fellow citizens with the saints," etc. (Ephesians 2:19). And the unfailing word of Zion's King secures to her protection (Isaiah 26:1); provision (Psalm 132:15); support (Isaiah 35:3, 4); comfort (Psalm 132:16); and eternal glory (Isaiah 60:14-20). II. THE EXCELLENCE OF THE SONS OF ZION. 1. In respect of its purity. "Comparable to fine gold"; which is gold that has undergone a certain process of purification, to clear it from dross, and thus make it more fine, solid, strong, and useful. So the saints have all experienced "the renewing of the Holy Ghost" (Titus 3:5); and their hearts are purified by faith (Acts 15:9). 2. In respect of its value. Gold is of "the precious metals" the most precious, i.e., of highest price. The text speaks of fine gold, of the best quality; and therefore most valuable. In this sense Zion's sons are precious; possessing intrinsic excellence. They are partakers of precious grace (2 Peter 1:1); which they exercise on precious promises (2 Peter 1:4); which promises have respect to a precious Saviour (1 Peter 2:5-7); by whose precious blood they are redeemed (1 Peter 1:19). 3. In respect of its utility. The true sons of Zion are greatly useful, on account of their excellent principles of philanthropy and social order, uniting the different classes and members of society, and promoting the welfare of the whole (1 Timothy 2:1-4). Whence results the excellence of their practice; as rulers (2 Samuel 23:1-3); parents (Ephesians 6:4); masters (Colossians 4:1); subjects (Romans 13:7; 1 Peter 2:17); children (Ephesians 6:1-3); servants (Ephesians 6:5-7); doing evil to none (Romans 12:17); but good to all. "If thine enemy hunger, feed him," etc. And they are valuable also, on account of their piety and their prayers. 4. In respect of its honour. Gold has been employed in presents to the most honourable persons (1 Kings 10:2, 10; Matthew 2:11); and in the most honourable services; whether civil (Psalm 14:9, 13); or sacred (Exodus 25:11-22; 2 Chronicles 3:3-11). The pious are highly honourable in the estimation of those who are proper judges of what constitutes an honourable character. III. THE ESTIMATION IN WHICH THE SONS OF ZION ARE TOO OFTEN HELD. "How are they esteemed as earthen pitchers," etc.; as mean, worthless, despicable things! This false estimate of the pious happens, because Satan employs all his craft and all his agency to obscure the excellence of truth and piety; and to gild with a false and beguiling lustre what is wrong and wicked. 1. Their principles are misnamed. Their humility is meanness; their forbearance and meekness, pusillanimity, weakness, etc. On the other hand, their zeal is rashness; their firmness, obstinacy; their piety, enthusiasm, etc. 2. Their motives are suspected. Of the Redeemer Himself it was said, "He is a bad man, and deceiveth the people." 3. Their conduct is misrepresented. "Prejudice has neither eyes nor ears" to discover merit; but it whets the tongue of slander, to mangle, disfigure, and distort innocent actions; and then to inflict censure and condemnation.(1) In our estimate of character let us not judge from common report; but from our own observation.(2) Nor by the maxims of the world; but by those of God's Word. Many, of whom the world was not worthy," have "wandered in sheepskins," etc.(3) Nor be solicitous of the honour that cometh from men; but "the honour that cometh from God only" (John 5:41-44). (Sketches of Four Hundred Sermons.) II. But gold is distinguished also for its VALUE. This arises from its rarity, from its intrinsic worth, and from its utility; and, in these several respects, the comparison between it and "the sons of Zion" may be illustrated. 1. First, then, the Christian is comparable to gold in respect of scarcity. Not profusely enriching every land, nor to be found imbedded in every soil, the golden ore is discoverable but in few countries; and, in like manner, of the earth's inhabitants, the sons of God's spiritual Zion form small and insignificant proportion. 2. Christians are comparable to pure gold, next, as respects their intrinsic value. Estimated, indeed, on the principles which guide the world's judgment, they, in general, have less to recommend them than many of their unregenerated and ungodly neighbours; but looked at as delineated by the Spirit of revelation, and judged according to the standard by which the destinies of creation are to be decided, they are a "chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people." 3. The Christian is comparable to fine gold also in respect of utility. By this, indeed, the value of an object is usually estimated; and as gold, when freely and plentifully circulated, promotes the general comfort and happiness, so "the sons of Zion," by the sanctity and blamelessness of their lives, exert a most beneficial influence upon society. With the influence of consistent and persevering example, every individual is acquainted. It challenges to imitation; it is a living commentary upon the excellence and power of principle; and where it is not successful in exciting to kindred action, it usually has majesty enough to awe and to rebuke the gainsayer into silence. And if we would properly comprehend the influence which, in this respect, Christians exercise upon the community at large, we have only to look at them moving within the circle of a family or a neighbourhood. Suppose multitude of such men, the same in character, the same in consistency, pervading society throughout the land, mingling in the market place, frequenting the marts of trade, labouring in the manufactory and in the workshop; and when you think of the innate depravity of the human heart, and the inherent tendency of sin to propagate itself, is it not clear that they are the salt which preserves the whole mass from rottenness, — the preservatives of the community from moral putrefaction and decay? (J. Jeffrey.) 1. The greatest reputation that man can attain unto in this life, is an uncertain estate, and easily taken away (Psalm 49:12).(1) (a) (b) (c) (2) 2. Those whom God hath advanced in authority above others, are to be reverenced and honoured above others. (1) (2) 3. It is a worthy thing in great men to be adorned with good qualities, so far exceeding others as their calling is above them. (1) (2) 4. It is marvellous in the judgment of flesh and blood to see a man of highest estimation come to be of the basest account. (J. Udall.) 2. Many are most delicately brought up, that afterward come to great want and extremity.(1) Their parents make fondlings of them, and do not put them to any lawful work in their youth, and so they prove unfit for any in their age.(2) God will punish both the folly of the parents, and the vanity of the children, for the example of others.(3) Disordered education increaseth the number and height of sin, which must needs pull in the punishments for sin after it. 3. In a general calamity, they are most subject to ruin that in time of prosperity are freest from it by their abundance of worldly things.(1) They are most likely to have committed the greatest sins in the abuse of God's blessings.(2) They have least exercised themselves in the ways to escape danger; persuading themselves to escape if any do.(3) The riches of the wealthiest are the things that spoilers set their eyes most upon: for which they will be most extreme with the owners thereof. (J. Udall.) 2. Man never sustaineth any punishment in this fife, but such as he justly deserveth by his own sins. 3. That is the greatest punishment which man can suffer in this life, which is of longest continuance, though it be not the severest in itself.(1) A short punishment, though heavier, doth not kill the heart so much.(2) Satan can work many things in time, which of a sudden he cannot.(3) The consideration of the length of time giveth matter of strong temptations to despair or revolt from the truth. (J. Udall.) 1. All the neighbourhood, all the friends and acquaintances, would not have believed that the great rich man to whom scores were mean and hundreds trifles could have come to beg his bread. But it is possible. Riches take to themselves wings and flee away. Take heed! It is right to be rich, very rich, but it is wrong for the riches to be master of the man; hold them, so that coming or going they never interfere with prayer, with faith, with charity, with noble, generous love; they are servants, helpers, great assistants in the philanthropic cause: hold them so, and you never can be poor. "Let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall." Pause and consider, and put things wisely and solidly together, and say, These things are but for a moment; for a moment's use they are invaluable, but as securities, towers, defences, rather let me entangle myself in some elaborate cobweb, and trust to that against God's lightning and thunder. 2. Who would believe that the great strong man, whose every bone is, as it were, wrought iron, should one day be glad of the help of a little child? How humbling! how instructive! You may accost him, and ask him if he remembers the time when he could have lifted a man in each hand and felt he was not doing anything in particular as an exercise of strength; and with a hollow laugh he will say, Ay, I remember! How now? the sinews melted, the bones no longer iron, the great frame bent down, the sunken eyes peering for a grave. What did this? Ill-conduct? No. Wastefulness of strength and energy? No. What did it? Silent, insidious, mighty Time. 3. who could believe that a man of great capacity and great judgment in all earthly things should come to be unable to give a rational opinion upon the affairs of the day? Impossible, say you. How godlike in reason! How all but infinite in faculty! He will be to the last bright as a star. What if he stumble at noonday? what if he forget his own name? What if he cannot tell where his own house is? and what if they who trusted him aforetime so implicitly should say, Poor soul! he is gone; it is no use looking in that quarter for wisdom or direction; his genius is dead; alas! but so it is? It that be so, why should we not learn from that fact, and work while it is called day, for the night cometh wherein no man can work? Redeem the time, buy up the opportunity, knowing that our brightest genius shall be eclipsed, our strongest sagacity shall lose its penetration, and our judgment shall halt for the judgment of others. 4. Who of us cannot name men who, if they were to fail in moral completeness, in probity, in honour, in truthfulness, would shake Society to its base? What! every word a hollow word, every action a selfish calculation, every attitude part of a fraud and conspiracy, every generous deed a new bid for self-promotion, — signatures forsworn, bends broken, by such men? Never! It is impossible, incredible; the suggestion is born of the pit. We are right in so saying. Have no faith in men who cannot he fired into godly anger when they hear great reputations assailed and when they see great characters slurred and defamed. At the same time let us learn from history. Great men have fallen from high moral excellence. He — the unnamed — "the starry leader of the seven" — fell from heaven. Some angels "kept not their first estate." With these wrecks before us, what is our course of wisdom? Lot us trust under the wings of the Almighty, let us live within the shadow of His presence, let us be hidden in His pavilion; then, come weal, come woe, our end will be heaven: — say ye to the righteous, It shall be well with him, however black the immediate cloud, however storm-laden the immediate outlook. (J. Parker, D. D.) 4315 clay 1875-1877. 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