Isaiah 32:16-17

DISCOURSE: 907
THE WORK OF RIGHTEOUSNESS IS PEACE

Isaiah 32:16. Then judgment shall dwell in the wilderness, and righteousness remain in the fruitful field. And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness, quietness and assurance for ever.

THROUGH the introduction of sin into the world, man was altogether despoiled both of holiness and happiness: and the design of God in sending to us his Gospel was, to restore both the one and the other to our fallen race. This in a former chapter is set forth under the image of the brute creation, which, having through the fall of man been reduced to a state of the greatest disorder, shall be restored once more to universal harmony and peace. “The wolf shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid: and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together, and a little child shall lead them. And the cow and the bear shall feed; their young ones shall lie down together: and the lion shall eat straw like the ox: and the sucking child shall play on the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the cockatrice’ den: they shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea [Note: Isai. 116–9.].” In the passage before us the same truth is set forth under a different image, namely, that of the vegetable creation; which, having been reduced to the condition of a wilderness through the curse inflicted on it, shall be rendered fruitful, even beyond the most fertile parts of Palestine in the most fruitful seasons.

That the passage really relates to the times of the Gospel, does not admit of doubt. In the beginning of the chapter it is said, “Behold, a King shall reign in righteousness; and princes shall rule in judgment: and a man shall be as an hiding-place from the wind, and a covert from the tempest; as rivers of water in a dry place; as the shadow of a great rock in a weary land [Note: ver. 1, 2.].” A season indeed of great desolation should intervene between the prophecy and its accomplishment [Note: ver. 9–11.]: but at the appointed time “the Spirit should be poured out in such abundance from on high, that the wilderness should become a fruitful field, and the fruitful field be so productive as to be counted for a forest.”

In my text the metaphor is explained: and we are told in plainer terms what shall be,

I. The character of Gospel times—

By “judgment and righteousness,” I understand not merely that which is called justice between man and man, but universal holiness. And this will certainly characterize the Gospel dispensation—
[This is evident from the very metaphor before us. In other parts of this prophecy the metaphor is yet further opened and explained. Thus in the 35th chapter it is said, “The wilderness and the solitary place shall be glad; and the desert shall rejoice and blossom as the rose: it shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice even with joy and singing: the glory of Lebanon shall be given unto it, the excellency of Carmel and Sharon: they shall see the glory of the Lord, and the excellency of our God ….. For in the wilderness shall waters break out, and streams in the desert ….. And an high-way shall be there, and a way; and it shall be called the way of holiness: the unclean shall not pass over it; but the redeemed shall walk there [Note: Isaiah 35:1; Isaiah 35:6; Isaiah 35:8.].” The change itself also is described in appropriate terms: “Instead of the thorn shall come up the fir-tree, and instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle-tree: and it shall be to the Lord for a name, and for an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off [Note: Isaiah 55:13.].” The works of the flesh are here contrasted with the fruits of the Spirit: and it is declared, that these latter shall abound on the face of the whole earth; and that, “as the earth bringeth forth her bud, and as the garden causes the things that are sown in it to spring forth, so the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise to spring forth before all nations [Note: Isaiah 61:11.].”

This is yet further evident from the universal testimony of Scripture. If we look into the Old Testament, we find the prophet Ezekiel describing that period thus: “Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness and from all your idols will I cleanse you. A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh: and I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes; and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them [Note: Ezekiel 36:25.].” In the New Testament the same thing is continually declared. Even before the birth of our Saviour, Zacharias, speaking of him as about to visit and redeem his people, represents the end of his advent as being to “deliver his people out of the hands of their (spiritual) enemies, that they may serve him without fear in righteousness and holiness before him all the days of their life [Note: Luke 1:67.].” And St. Paul assures us, that “the grace of God which bringeth salvation, was designed to teach us, that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world [Note: Titus 2:11.].”]

But it is not the occasional existence, so much as the abiding habit, of holiness, which is to distinguish this day—
[“Judgment is to dwell, and righteousness to remain,” in this our field. At all times, and under all circumstances, piety is to prevail. We are to be “fruitful in every good work [Note: Hebrews 13:21.], and “filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ to the praise and glory of God [Note: Philippians 1:11.].” Our blessed Lord told his disciples, that he “had ordained them that they should go and bring forth fruit, and that their fruit should remain [Note: John 15:16.]:” and through the whole world are they to be distinguished as “a holy nation [Note: 1 Peter 2:9.],” “a peculiar people zealous of good works [Note: Titus 2:14.].”

Now it is greatly to be desired, that this distinction should be visible amongst us. But, if a heathen were directed by this mark to find the Gospel ministered in its purity, would he fix on us, on us individually, on us collectively, as possessing that inestimable treasure? Would he, if he followed us to our respective places of abode, and beheld the whole of our deportment through the day, and witnessed our spirit and temper under circumstances of trial, would he say, “That is the garden of the Lord, and those are the trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, in which he is glorified [Note: Isaiah 58:11; Isaiah 61:3.]?” — — — O Brethren, look well to this matter, and take care that you “shine as lights in a dark world, holding forth the word of life,” not by your profession merely, but by the whole of your conduct and conversation [Note: Philippians 2:15.]

That you may be encouraged to these exertions, consider,

II.

The fruit of Gospel experience—

“The fruit of righteousness is peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever.” To this also the whole Scripture bears witness: and it is confirmed by fact also, that happiness is the inseparable companion of true piety. It is an attendant on piety,

1. As the natural result of holy habits—

[A man cannot commit sin, but he will find it sooner or later productive of pain. He may roll it as a sweet morsel under his tongue for a moment; but it will prove the gall of aspe within him. There is no exception to that truth, “The way of transgressors is hard.” But there is not a grace which can be exercised that does not tranquillize the mind. All imaginable graces, whether towards God or man, may be resolved into the one principle of love: and how sweet that is, we need not to observe: it carries its own evidence along with it. In truth, this is the very thing asserted in our text; “The fruit of righteousness is peace:” peace is the odour which that holy ointment invariably diffuses; as the Psalmist has said, “In keeping God’s commandments there is great reward.”

If it be thought that the duties of penitence and self-denial are rather of a painful nature, we appeal to all who know what penitence and self-denial are, Whether they have not found an exquisite joy in penitential sorrow, and a more lively satisfaction in the exercise of self-denial, than in all the gratifications which sin could possibly administer? We say again, without fear of contradiction, that there is no exception to this rule.]

2. As bringing with it the testimony of a good conscience—

[This is a source of unspeakable comfort: “Our rejoicing is this,” says the Apostle, “the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world [Note: 2 Corinthians 1:12.].” It will not unfrequently happen that our principles and conduct may be misinterpreted; so that we may incur blame on account of those very things, which, if rightly viewed, would have entitled us to applause: but, if we have a consciousness that we have really endeavoured to fulfil the will of God, we shall not lay much to heart the obloquy that is cast upon us, but shall say with the Apostle, “It is a small matter to be judged of you or of man’s judgment; yea, I judge not mine own self: but he that judgeth me is the Lord [Note: 1 Corinthians 4:3.].” In the hour of death more especially will peace and assurance fill the soul of one who has truly and unreservedly devoted himself to God. Not that he will be trusting in a well-spent life as meritorious in the sight of God, or as able to justify him at the bar of judgment: no man who knows any thing of the Gospel can entertain such a delusive hope as that; for the whole Scriptures testify that Christ alone is the foundation of a sinner’s hope, and that no man can be accepted of God but through the blood and righteousness of the Lord Jesus: but still a consciousness that we have truly lived to God and for God, in holy obedience to his commands, will be to us an evidence of the truth of our faith, and the sincerity of our love; and will inspire us with confidence in reference to the future judgment: for St. John says, “Hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him: for if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things: but if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence towards God [Note: 1 John 3:18.].” And hence we may say to the whole world, “Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright; for the end of that man is peace [Note: Psalms 37:37.].”]

3. As being honoured with tokens of God’s special approbation—

[God will “manifest himself unto his people as he does not unto the world.” He will “shed abroad his love in their hearts;” and by the immediate influences of “his Spirit bear witness to, and with, their spirits, that they are his children.” He will “seal, as it were, their souls unto the day of redemption,” and give them already “the earnest and foretaste of their eternal inheritance.” But who are these favoured people? Are they those who live in a neglect of holy duties, and in the commission of any known sin? No: “If any man regard iniquity in his heart, the Lord will not hear him [Note: Psalms 66:18.];” much less will he favour him with such communications as these. But “of his children, who keep his law, great shall be the peace [Note: Isaiah 54:13.Psalms 119:165.],” even “a peace that passeth all understanding:” “they shall go forthwith joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before them into singing; and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands [Note: Isaiah 55:12.].”]

Learn then from hence, Brethren,
1.

How to approve yourselves Christians indeed—

[“By their fruits ye shall know them,” says our blessed Lord: and again, “Bring forth much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples:” “He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me.” You well know that it is in this way that you form your estimate of a field, or of a tree: and this is the only true way of estimating your own character. Your professions are of no value, any further than the truth of them is attested by your practice. You may say, Lord, Lord, with as much confidence as you will: but, if you do not the will of your heavenly Father, Christ will disown you, and cast you from him at the last day. You may now so resemble the wheat amongst which you grow, as not to admit of being easily distinguished from it by a human eye, or separated from it by a human hand. But in the last day the tares and the wheat will be infallibly separated from each other; the one for the fire of hell, the other for the granary of heaven [Note: Matthew 13:28; Matthew 13:40.]. I say then, bring yourselves to this test: and never be satisfied with any faith or any profession, that does not approve itself genuine according to the standard of God’s unerring word.]

2. How to be happy in your own souls—

[It is not any earthly gratification that can make you happy. Our Lord does not say, Blessed are the rich, the gay, the respected; but, “Blessed are the humble, the pure, the meek, and those who are even persecuted for righteousness’ sake [Note: Matthew 5:3.Luke 6:20.].” We grant, that this is far from according with the sentiments of the world at large; but it is not the less true on that account. They who have never sought for happiness in God, can have no idea of the happiness that is to be found in him. But the more any one knows of the world, the more will he see that “Vanity and vexation of spirit” is written upon every thing that is in it. Seek not then your happiness, beloved, in “broken cisterns that can hold no water, but seek it in the Fountain of living waters [Note: Jeremiah 2:13.],” even in Him who is a source of blessedness to all his people [Note: Psalms 36:9.]. Then shall you here enjoy “a full assurance of hope,” whilst you live [Note: Hebrews 6:11.]; “have an abundant entrance into heaven” when you die [Note: 2 Peter 1:10.]; and sit down for ever “at the right hand of your God, where there is fulness of joy for evermore [Note: Psalms 16:11.].”]