Isaiah 2:5
“O house of Jacob, come you, and let us walk in the light of the Lord.”
There are many prophecies which are not yet accomplished, especially among those which are to be fulfilled “in the last days.” The last days were understood even by the Jews themselves as relating to the days of the Messiah; and they comprehend all the time from his first coming in the flesh to the period when his kingdom shall be fully established upon earth. Hence the prophecies relating to that period must have different degrees of accomplishment; being partly fulfilled in the first triumphs of the Gospel, but having a further and more entire accomplishment when all the kingdoms of the world shall become the kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Thus it is that we are to understand the prophecy contained in the preceding context.
“The mountain of the Lord’s House,” that is, the Gospel Church, was established on the top of the mountains in the apostolic age, when it triumphed over heathen idolatry and Jewish superstition; and myriads of converts encouraged one another to serve and glorify their God. But we have not yet seen the time when “swords have been beaten into ploughshares, and spears into pruning-hooks, and nations have ceased to learn and practice the art of war.” That time however will come; and we should long, and labor to the utmost of our power, to hasten it forward. We should even now anticipate it; yes, we will anticipate it, “O house of Jacob, come and let us walk in the light of the Lord!”
I. Let us walk in the light of his truth.
His truth now shines in its meridian splendor.
“The darkness is indeed past; and the true light now shines, 1 John 2:8.”
“The day-star has arisen, 2 Peter 1:19;”
“the day-spring from on high has visited us, Luke 1:78-79;”
“the Sun of Righteousness, Malachi 4:2” shines forth in his brightness; and the way of salvation through a crucified Redeemer is now so plain, that “no wayfaring man, though a fool, can err therein, Isaiah 35:8.”
“On the face of Moses there was a veil, that those who received the law should not see its full import; but if the Gospel is hidden, it is from those only whom the god of this world has blinded;” since “we may all with open (that is, unveiled) face behold as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, 2 Corinthians 3:13-18.”
Let us then walk in it.
Having the light, we should “believe in the light, that we may be the children of light, John 12:35-36.” We should embrace with all thankfulness the way of salvation revealed in the Gospel.
We should “come to Christ,” as the appointed Savior of a ruined world, Matthew 11:28;
we should “look to him,” as dying upon the cross for us, Isaiah 45:22;
we should “build upon him, as our only foundation, 1 Corinthians 3:11;”
and “cleave unto him with full purpose of heart, Acts 11:23;”
and “determine to know none but him, 1 Corinthians 2:2,”
and to “glory in nothing but the cross of Christ, Galatians 6:14.”
“Arise then, and be enlightened, for the light is come; and the glory of the Lord is risen upon you, Isaiah 60:1.”
While confiding in God as reconciled to us by the blood of the cross, we should endeavor to walk in the light.
II. Let us walk in the light of his countenance.
This is the privilege of a true believer.
So it is declared to be, by one who experienced it richly in his own soul, Psalm 89:15. God presents himself to us in the Gospel under the endearing relations of a Father and a Friend, to whom we may carry every need, every trial, every difficulty; and from whom we may expect a supply according to our need. He will be not only “our God,” but “a God unto us, 1 Chronicles 17:24,” putting forth all his wisdom, all his love, and all his power, to make us truly blessed. He will engage in this work “with his whole heart and with his whole soul, Jeremiah 32:41;” so that it must be utterly our own fault if we are not as holy, and as happy, as our hearts can wish.
Let us then enjoy our privilege.
Let us “walk with God,” as Enoch did; and “glory in him as the God of our salvation.” See what holy joy David found in communion with him, Psalm 63:1-5 and Psalm 145:1-12 and Psalm 150. And shall we who live under a so much nobler dispensation experience less? Shall not we, who have so much clearer views of Christ, “rejoice in him with joy unspeakable and full of glory?” O let us “delight ourselves in God”, and have even now, “in the secret of his presence” and the consolations of his Spirit—a pledge and a foretaste of our heavenly inheritance! Psalm 31:20. Ephesians 1:13-14.
III. Let us walk in the light of his commandments.
These are given by him “as a light to our feet and a lantern to our paths”.
Without them we would not “know how to walk and to please God;” but by them we are fully informed in all things that are needful for us to do, Proverbs 6:23. They do not indeed descend to every particular circumstance in which we can be placed; but they afford principles which are universally applicable, and which are quite sufficient for our direction when duly applied. The duty of “doing to others as we would like them to do unto us,” is so comprehensive as to embrace every part of our social duty, while it is so simple that it may be comprehended and applied by every one who desires to please God.
Let us then make these the one rule of our conduct.
Let us never attempt to live according to the standard of the world, but endeavor rather to raise our conduct to the standard of God’s revealed will. Let us treasure up in our minds the most exalted precepts, and “hide God’s Word in our hearts, that we may not sin against him;” for “then shall we not be ashamed, when we have respect unto all God’s commandments”.
In addressing “the house of Jacob,” we must speak to,
1. Those who are nominally so.
It is but too true, that “all are not Israel, who are of Israel;” and those who are only of the house of Jacob by name and profession, may know it by their walk and conversation. Consider, I beg you, in what light you have walked. Is it not manifest, that the generality who call themselves Christians are influenced only by the things of time and sense; and that their principles and pursuits are altogether earthly? Know then, you lovers of this present evil world, that, if God’s Word may be depended on, you are deluding yourselves to your eternal ruin! Isaiah 50:11. You “sow the wind, and you shall reap the whirlwind! Hosea 8:7.” When will you begin to see, that “one thing,” and one thing only, “is needful?” When will you learn to say, “Whom have I in Heaven but you? and there is none upon earth that I desire in comparison with you?” That you should seek present, as well as eternal, happiness, we grant; but you should seek it where David did, “Many are asking, ‘Who can show us any good?’ Let the light of your face shine upon us, O LORD. You have filled my heart with greater joy than when their grain and new wine abound! Psalm 4:6-7.”
2. Those who are really so.
You have found that God in Christ is “a fountain of life; and in his light you have seen light, Psalm 36:9.” You therefore are “children of the light and of the day.” But if you are so highly distinguished in your character, think how distinguished you should also be in your conduct, Ephesians 5:8. 1 Thessalonians 5:5-6. The eyes of all are upon you; they will look particularly to see whether religion is such a source of happiness as you profess. O show them that “you need neither the sun to lighten you by day, nor the moon by night, since the Lord has been a light unto you, and your God your glory, Isaiah 60:19.” Show them that even in the greatest troubles you have a fountain of consolation to go unto; and that “when you walk in darkness, the Lord is a light unto you, Job 29:3. Micah 7:8.” And, as it is eminently characteristic of Gospel times to encourage one another in the ways of God, see that you do so, “speaking one with another in Psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your hearts unto the Lord.” Then, from enjoying God in his courts below, you shall be taken to serve him in his temple above, where your largest desires shall be satisfied, and your utmost capacities be filled! Revelation 21:22-23. Psalm 16:11.
Charles Simeon