Isaiah 51:7,8

Hearken unto Me, ye that know righteousness

Christians encouraged against the fear of man

I. THE PERSONS ADDRESSED.

1. Those who “know righteousness.”

2. They have the law of God in their heart.

II. THE ADDRESS MADE TO THEM. “Hearken unto Me,” etc.

1. Let us remember who is the speaker of these words.

2. The address may be considered as containing an encouraging exhortation enforced by powerful arguments.

3. Consider by what powerful arguments this exhortation is enforced: They who now revile the people of God will quickly be brought to an end. If their malice be not extinguished, yet the means of gratifying it will be no more. They are mortals, and as such they must soon die.

4. On the other hand, “My righteousness (saith the Lord) shall be for ever, and My salvation from generation to generation.” In vain do ungodly men speak evil of His cause. It shall survive all their attacks; and shall increase, when they who reviled, or opposed it, shall be silent in darkness. In vain are His people reproached. They cannot be really injured by such attempts. (E. Cooper.)

Man’s mortality

The matter is not great which they say of us who must be worm’s meat shortly. (M. Henry.)

Futility of human opposition to the Gospel

Clouds darken the sun, but give no obstruction to its progress. (M. Henry.)