In the first verse of chapter 62 we have the prophet speaking in the name of the Lord; or, perhaps we might say, it was the Spirit of Christ which was in him, speaking through him, in keeping with what we read in 1 Peter 1:1111Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow. (1 Peter 1:11). If the result of God’s work in Israel, and on behalf of Zion and Jerusalem, will bring such good to them and such praises to God, then there must be no rest until all is accomplished. Before the eyes of all the nations Israel will stand in a righteous salvation, which God Himself has wrought, and hence they will display His glory, and not their own. The figures used in verse 3 are very expressive of this. Previously, how different the situation! The Apostle Paul had to write concerning them, “The name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through you” (Rom. 2:2424For the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through you, as it is written. (Romans 2:24)). Now they will be “a crown of glory” and “a royal diadem” in God’s hand.
We, who today are called for a portion not only spiritual but also heavenly, may well rejoice as we contemplate what God will yet do for and with His earthly people; and at the same time we may yet more rejoice as we think of what is purposed for us. If we scan the first two chapters of Ephesians, what remarkable expressions we find. The blessing purposed for us will be “to the praise of the glory of His grace”, inasmuch as it is bestowed “according to the riches of His grace”. And further we discover that “in the ages to come” God is going to display “the exceeding [or, surpassing] riches of His grace in His kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.”
When Israel is blessed, as Isaiah foretells, it will be a work of grace and bring much glory to God. But when the church shines forth in the heavenly glory of Christ, her Head, there will be a yet brighter display of grace. Those embraced in the church have been gathered out of the nations through the centuries; not a few of them human beings of the most degraded type.
Holy angels have witnessed the whole tragedy of human sin. When a saint, that they recognize was once a vicious, savage cannibal, is shining in the glory of Christ, what will they say? They will surely confess that here is a display of SURPASSING grace.
And we, the saints of today, have the privilege of taking our part in God’s present work by the Gospel. Do we realize this? If we do, we shall not fail to take our place, under the Lord’s direction— whether to go, or to give, to speak or to pray— while waiting for the glorious consummation.
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