Isaiah 51:4-6

Hearken unto Me, My people

The absolute in human history

Time works mighty changes in human life.

Amidst the ceaseless whirl of mutation, is there nothing unchangeable? Is life made up entirely of volatile contingencies? Has it no absolute elements? Oh, for a rock in this ebbing sea, where we might stand secure as the wreck of years floats by! This Scripture responds to our questions, and meets our aspirations. The word “law” designates God’s revelation; “judgment” and “righteousness” are interchangeable terms, expressing the one idea--rectitude. The great truths, therefore, enfolded in this rich oriental garb, are that rectitude and salvation are the elements of God’s revelation; and that these elements are the absolute in human history.

I. THEY ARE FOR ALL LANDS--world-wide in their aspect--“a light of the people.” Man is, confessedly, a corrupt intelligence; and, in the nature of things, a knowledge of his state is essential to his improvement. Will he ever seek a remedy or ask for a refuge until he has felt the disease or descried the peril? Whence comes this discovery? Nothing less than a special revelation of rectitude can meet the case. “By the law is the knowledge of sin.” Next comes the other element--“salvation.” Each of these two elements of our religion is equally necessary for man everywhere. The value, however, of each depends upon mutual connection; each is useless by itself.

II. THESE BLESSINGS ARE FOR ALL TIMES, AS WELL AS FOR ALL LANDS. “The heavens shall vanish away like smoke,” etc. These words suggest three solemn considerations--

1. That man is related to two distinct systems of things, the one involving the “heavens and the earth,” the other “righteousness and salvation”--the one material, the other spiritual. This twofold relation is a peculiarity of our history. The other tenants of the globe are related to the material as we are. But with the spiritual they appear to have no connection.

2. That one of the systems to which man is related is transient, the other is permanent.

3. That the permanent system should command man’s chief concern. Hear the sum of this address:--Beware of practical materialism. (D. Thomas, D.D.)

Righteousness and salvation

I. THE CHARACTER OF THOSE SPECIALLY ADDRESSED. By comparing the first and the seventh with the fourth verse of the chapter, we find four leading features of their character set forth:

1. They are said to know righteousness.

2. To follow after righteousness.

3. To seek the Lord.

4. To have the law of God in their hearts.

II. THE ADDRESS ITSELF. It constitutes a sublime prophetic description of those spiritual blessings to be ripened by the advent of the Messiah. It foretells the setting up of that kingdom which cometh not by outward observation, but which is “righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost”--the publication of “that better covenant established on better promises.” Many topics of deep interest are suggested by this prophetic setting forth of the blessings and triumphs of the Gospel. The text fully asserts--

1. Their certainty.

2. Their perpetuity. (T. Page, M.A.)

An evangelical law

The “law” here meant (Isaiah 51:4) is that of Zion Isaiah 2:3), as distinguished from that of Sinai--the Gospel of redemption. (F. Delitzsch, D.D.)