Isaiah 33:23

DISCOURSE: 911
ENCOURAGEMENT TO THE WEAK

Isaiah 33:23. The lame take the pray.

IT is impossible to read the Scriptures with attention, and not be struck with the amazing condescension of God, towards the poor, the weak, the desponding. I think we may say, that if God had permitted them to dictate to him what he should say for their encouragement, they could never have ventured to put into his mouth what he has really spoken; so inconceivably gracious and condescending are the promises which he has given them. Let us only look at one or two which are recorded by the Prophet Isaiah. Speaking of his enemies, who thought to injure his people with impunity, he says, “He bringeth down them that dwell on high; the lofty city, he layeth it low; he layeth it low, even to the ground; he bringeth it even to the dust: the foot shall tread it down, even the feet of the poor, and the feet of the needy [Note: Isaiah 26:5.].” And again: “Without me they shall bow down under the prisoners, and they shall fall under the slain [Note: Isaiah 10:4.];” that is, if there were not one of my people whom they had not imprisoned or slain, the prisoners should come forth from their dungeons, and the slain should arise from their graves, to crush and to destroy them. Indeed God assumes this as his very name whereby he is to be known: “The Lord is his name, that strengtheneth the spoiled against the strong, so that the spoiled shall come against the fortress [Note: Amos 5:8.].” It is with this view that the words of my text were uttered. The Assyrians menaced Jerusalem with an immense, and, as they supposed, an irresistible army; and God comforted his people by an assurance, not only that their enemies should not prevail, but that they should flee, and leave an immense booty behind them; and that even “the lame amongst his people,” who were scarcely able to walk, should yet go forth and “seize the spoil,” and be enriched by it.

To mark the force of this expression, I will shew,

I. How it was fulfilled on the occasion referred to—

[So exceeding large and powerful was the Assyrian army that was besieging Jerusalem, that there seemed to be no hope of deliverance, but by means of some special interposition of the Deity himself [Note: Isaiah 36:1.] — — — As for Hezekiah and his people, they seemed to be in the situation of a travailing woman, who, not having strength to bring forth, was at the point of death [Note: Isaiah 37:1.]. But prayer was made by him and the Prophet Isaiah to the Lord: and “in one night an angel of the Lord slew no less than one hundred and eighty-five thousand of the Assyrian army:” upon which the rest of the army retired in haste, leaving all their property behind them; so that all the people of Jerusalem, like Samaria on another occasion, were enriched by it, and the very weakest amongst them seized his portion of the prey [Note: Isaiah 37:4; Isaiah 37:36.]. Thus was the promise in my text literally fulfilled; and a pledge was given to the Church, that neither men nor devils should ever prevail against those who should put their trust in Him.]

The text, thus explained, may serve to shew us, in a measure,

II.

How it is fulfilling at this time—

Still are the weak triumphant, through the power and grace of God.
Are any weak in understanding?

[Fear not: deep as the mysteries of our holy religion are, and infinitely as they surpass the powers of unassisted reason to comprehend, you shall comprehend them, if you look to God for the teaching of his good Spirit: yes, “you shall comprehend the breadth, and length, and depth, and height of the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge [Note: Ephesians 3:18.]:” whilst the wise of this world shall “account them nothing but foolishness [Note: 1 Corinthians 1:23.].” So it was with the poorer classes of the community in the days of our blessed Lord: “they heard his word gladly,” and received it thankfully; whilst the Scribes and Pharisees “rejected the counsel of God against themselves.” Thus it was also in the Apostle’s days. St. Paul appealed to those at Corinth: “Ye see your calling, Brethren, now that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: but God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; and base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that that are; that no flesh should glory in his presence [Note: 1 Corinthians 1:26.].” And to all who come to Christ for instruction, it is promised that their eyes shall be opened to see the truth, since God had determined that “the things which were hid from the wise and prudent should be revealed unto babes [Note: Matthew 11:25.].” Thus is provision made, even for the weakest, to guide them into all truth; and an assurance is given, that “the way-faring man, though a fool, shall not err therein [Note: Isaiah 35:8.].”]

Are any weak in grace?

[They need not despond: for “it is not the will of our Father that one of his little ones should perish [Note: Matthew 18:14.].” “Christ will carry the Lambs in his bosom, and gently lead that which is with young [Note: Isaiah 40:11.].” Weakness, if felt and deplored, shall never prevent the ultimate success of any soul whatever. Indeed conscious weakness is, if I may so speak, a source of strength, since it will constrain a man to look unto Christ for strength; and “Christ will perfect his own strength in his people’s weakness:” So true is that paradoxical expression of St. Paul, “When I am weak, then am I strong [Note: 2 Corinthians 12:8.].” When did we ever hear of one “who was plucked out of the Saviour’s hands [Note: John 10:28.]?” We are assured by the prophet, that, however violently God’s people may be sifted, “not so much as the smallest grain shall ever fall to the earth [Note: Amos 9:9.].” The weakest person in the universe shall “be able to do all things, through the strength of Christ [Note: Philippians 4:13.];” and however numerous his trials be, he shall be more than conqueror, through Him that loved him [Note: Romans 8:37.].”]

Are any weak in faith?

[This is the most discouraging state of all; because a person strong in faith cannot fail of obtaining all that he can desire [Note: Matthew 21:22.]; whereas a person of a wavering and doubtful mind has but little reason to expect such ready communications as his necessities may require [Note: James 1:6.]. Still, however, if our faith be genuine, it shall prevail; and though it be only as a grain of mustard-seed, yet shall it enable its possessor to pluck up a mountain by its roots, and cast it into the sea [Note: Matthew 21:21.]. “To him that believeth, nothing shall be impossible [Note: Matthew 17:20.].” And it is worthy of observation, that salvation is promised, not to him that is strong in faith, but to him that believeth. Our commiesion from Christ himself is, to declare, without any reserve, “He that believeth and is baptized, shall be saved; and he that believeth not, shall be damned [Note: Mark 16:15.].”]

Thus, at this present time, is the text fulfilled to the least and weakest of God’s people; not one of them, however lame, being so left as not ultimately to “take the prey.”
But we are yet further to shew,

III.

How it shall be fulfilled in the millennial age—

[To this period does the prophet apply the very same kind of language as that which I have already so copiously cited from him: “The Lord will have mercy on Jacob; and will yet choose Israel, and set them in their own land: and the strangers shall be joined with them, and they shall cleave to the house of Jacob. And the people shall take them, and bring them to their place: and the house of Israel shall possess them in the land of the Lord for servants and handmaids: and they shall take them captives, whose captives they were; and they shall rule over their oppressors [Note: Isaiah 14:1.].” It seems impossible that the whole world of Jews and Gentiles should be so effectually combated, as to be turned to the worship of the true God, especially by such weak instruments as are now upon earth. But who spread our holy religion through the whole Roman Empire? A few poor fishermen. And what if the servants of God at this day be but few and weak; Is not God able to work by them? Has he not even “put his treasure into earthen vessels, on purpose that the excellency of the power may be seen to be of Him, and not of us [Note: 2 Corinthians 4:7.]?” How did the walls of Jericho fall, but by the sound of rams’ horns? and how were the host of Midian vanquished, but by the breaking of Gideon’s lamps, and the vociferation of a few dispersed men? What effects, then, may we not expect from the preached Gospel at this day, if God be pleased to accompany it with his power from on high? It is as able at this day, as ever it was, to “cast down every thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of Christ [Note: 2 Corinthians 10:4.]:” and in God’s good time it shall run and be glorified throughout the whole earth [Note: 2 Thessalonians 3:1.].” Unbelief, viewing the world as dead in trespasses and sins, is ready to ask, “Can these dry bones live?” But, in answer to this, I say, Yes, they both can and shall live: and at the time when God, in answer to the prayers of his servants, shall be pleased to pour out his Spirit upon them, they shall not only resume the human form, but “shall live, and stand up on their feet, an exceeding great army [Note: Ezekiel 37:1.].” “A nation shall be born in a day [Note: Isaiah 66:8.]:” and, by the simple preaching of a crucified Saviour, “all the ends of the earth shall be brought to see the salvation of God [Note: Isaiah 52:10.].”]

Behold then,
1.

What encouragement is here given to serve the Lord—

[No one need despond. There is no mountain of guilt that shall not be removed by the blood of Christ [Note: Isaiah 1:18.]; nor any inveteracy of corruption that shall not be subdued by the Spirit of Christ [Note: 2 Corinthians 12:9.]. Nor is there any confederacy, either of men or devils, that shall prevail to destroy the weakest saint upon the earth [Note: Matthew 16:18.]. “A worm shall thresh the mountains, and make them all like the dust of the summer threshing-floor [Note: Isaiah 41:14.].” But some, apprehending that there is somewhat peculiar in their case, are ready to ask, “Shall the prey be taken from the mighty, or the lawful captive delivered? Yes: thus saith the Lord, Even the captives of the mighty shall be taken away, and the prey of the terrible shall be delivered: for I will contend with him that contendeth with thee, and I will save thy children [Note: Isaiah 49:24.].” Be it known to all these, for their comfort, that “greater is he that is in them, than he that is in the world [Note: 1 John 4:4.];” and that “it is not by might or by power that any one is to succeed, but by my Spirit, saith the Lord of Hosts [Note: Zechariah 4:6.].”]

2. What honour will be given to the Saviour at the last day—

[Every one, in that day, will bless himself as the most distinguished monument of mercy that is to be found in heaven. When a saint looks back, and sees with what powers he has conflicted, and yet come off victorious, O! what thanks will he render to the Captain of his salvation, through whom alone he was enabled to maintain the conflict! and what songs of praise will he pour forth to God and to the Lamb for ever! It was in proud self-confidence that the Jebusites defied David, saying, that “except he should take away the blind and the lame, (whom, if there were no others, they supposed capable of defending their impregnable fortress against him,) he should not come within their city [Note: 2 Samuel 5:6.]: but it is in dependence on Christ that we defy all our enemies, and say without fear, that “the blind and the lame shall repel them all.” “His is the kingdom, and his the power; and his shall be the glory, for ever and ever.”]