June 7

"Thy people also shall be all righteous; they shall inherit the land forever, the branch of my planting, the work of my hands, that I may be glorified." — Isa. 1x. 21.

THE chapter of which these words are a part, has a primary reference to the happy state of the Jews after their deliverance from the Babylonish captivity; but it also points us to the latter day's glory, when the Jews shall be brought in with the fulness of the Gentiles. The prophets, in describing the glories of the church militant, often refer in the most glowing language to the joys of the church triumphant; and in this chapter there are many expressions that will only apply to the state of believers in glory. Considering this passage, therefore, as a description of the new Jerusalem above, let us notice

THE CHARACTER OF ITS INHABITANTS. Here is a three-fold representation given of them, partly in the language of fact, and partly in figure.

They are his people. A people formed peculiarly for himself; not only created by his power and sustained by his Providence, but redeemed by his grace. Observe the particular description — "righteous." None are so by nature; but all believers are so, in the act of justification, and in the work of sanctification; or by the remission of their sins, and the renovation of their souls. Notice the universal application — "Thy people shall be all righteous." They must be so, for God has declared it; they must be so in the very nature of things, for the "unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God."

They are his branch. This you will perceive is the language of figure. Believers are not withered branches, tied on to the true vine by profession, but flourishing ones united to the root; planted in the garden of the church, being removed from the wilderness of the world to a more congenial soil, and bringing forth the fruits of the Spirit.

They are his work. They are so as creatures, but peculiarly so as Christians. Whatever change they have experienced, he is the Author of it. Here is a work of Almighty power, sovereign grace, and boundless mercy; the admiration of angels, and the envy of devils. He commences it in conversion — carries it on by his Spirit in the heart, and will consummate it in glory everlasting. Let me seriously inquire if I am among the number of God's people. Do I bear the marks and evidences that belong to them? This is a question of paramount importance, which must be settled ere long.