Isaiah 57:14 And shall say, Cast you up, cast you up, prepare the way, take up the stumbling block out of the way of my people. As a Conqueror the Messiah was coming, but there was great sin and unpreparedness. Hence the prophet cried, "Take up, take up the stumbling-blocks." Christ is still advancing in power in the world. His truth is the direct and permanent way by which man may tread to heaven and immortality. Various stumbling-blocks of human placing need removal. I. There is the stumbling-block of SELFISHNESS. This has always cumbered the way. Ananias and Judas yielded to it. II. Close by this block is another, that of INTOLERANCE. The Church, strong outwardly, was impatient of divergence of opinion. III. TERRORISM had also to be rolled out of the way. Figure was taken for fact. The great Father was presented in the guise of an implacable judge. Harsh representations of God and future punishment caused revolt. IV. There is the stumbling-block of an ELABORATE CEREMONIAL SYSTEM. V. The block of INDIFFERENTISM, on the other hand, also needs removal. Indifferentism is only another name for selfism. It should matter to each man if his fellow suffers. VI. Some will say that all the stumbling-blocks mentioned are nothing compared with those formed by THE INCONSISTENCIES OF CHRISTIAN PEOPLE. The last is a conglomerate rock. Worldly attractions, amusements, desires, lusts, are often too strong for those who profess to be unworldly. Byron said, "The inconsistencies of professing Christians made me an infidel. Was he alone? Conclusion: How are these evils, these blocks of offence to be removed, and a way made for the coming of our King Jesus? There must be more faith in the presence and potency of the Holy Spirit in the Church. ( C. H. Spurgeon.) Parallel Verses KJV: And shall say, Cast ye up, cast ye up, prepare the way, take up the stumblingblock out of the way of my people. |
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