THE CALLING OF THE GENTILES
Isaiah 55:5. Behold, Thou shalt call a nation that Thou knowest not, &c.
It early obtained belief in the Christian Church, that Isaiah was sawn assunder for predicting so freely the vocation of the Gentiles by Messiah. Paul mentions it as a proof of his moral heroism (Romans 10:20-21, with Ch. Isaiah 49:6). These words were uttered long after this country was a part of the Gentile world; and perhaps, in importance, it is the principal instance of it, considering what we have become, what we have done, what we are doing, and what we seem destined to accomplish. The text calls for our attention—“Behold!” And what you are to behold regards the Messiah, and consists in these four things—
I. HIS AUDIENCE.
1. A nation that He knew not. This seems a paradox. Did He not know all His creatures? The apparent difficulty may be easily solved, when you remember that the word “knowledge,” in the Scriptures, signifies not merely intelligence, perception, apprehension; but approbation, regard, due acknowledgment (1 Thessalonians 5:13, and others). The Messiah did not, and could not, view the Gentiles with regard and complacency; He could not thus know them. There was everything among them offensive to the eyes of His holiness. Idolatry is the essence of all evil—accompanied with cruelty, impurity, &c. Yet we do not deem it impossible that the heathen should be saved.
2. Nations that knew Him not. It is true, they did not love Him, but they could not, because they were destitute of the knowledge of Him, “sitting in darkness,” &c. It is not the reality of things, therefore, but the knowledge of them, which must affect and influence us (Romans 10:13-15; Ch. Isaiah 53:11, and others). This implies, therefore, the importance of what follows; viz.—
II. HIS WORK.
He will “call.” This takes in very much. He calls by the blessings of His gracious providence; by affliction, &c. You are all, therefore, among the called of God. Perhaps you have never, to this hour, obeyed His voice. But the calling here intended, is principally by preaching of the Gospel; for “faith cometh by hearing,” &c. His calling by the Gospel is not only to inform, but to accomplish their pardon. His calling was to awaken their attention, and to justify the appropriation of the blessings displayed.
III. HIS SUCCESS.
1. Observe the centre—“Thee” (Genesis 49:10; John 6:68, and others).
2. The swiftness, “They shall,” not walk to Thee—they “shall run to Thee” (Ch. Isaiah 60:8; Hebrews 6:18). What can there be in any case that would induce a man to run, that might not be applied in a much higher degree to sinners, who are seeking salvation? The nearness of the danger? The magnitude of the object? The extreme want of it? The strength of their desire? The shortness and uncertainty of their opportunity?
IV. THE CAUSE OF HIS SUCCESS.
1. The glorification of the Messiah.
2. The season “hath,” marks the certainty of the accomplishment.
3. The connection this glory has with, and the influence it has over, this conversion of sinners. His glorification is the ground of all our confidence in God. Surely this is enough to induce and encourage them. This glorification furnishes Him as Mediator with His power to save, and it ensures the salvation of sinners.
“This day this Scripture is fulfilled in your ears.”—W. Jay: The Pulpit.
I. The Father speaking to the Messiah, assures Him of success.
I. The Call.—Behold, Thou shalt call a nation that Thou knowest not. Does not mean that Christ is ignorant of any nation, but that He does not know them as His followers, since they are not His followers. And nations that know not Thee. Perhaps, absolutely ignorant of Him; ignorant of Him, however, as the Messiah, the Son of God, their Saviour. He shall call them by His servants, His Spirit.
2. The result.—They shall, not walk, but run unto Him, indicating their eagerness and joy to receive Him. Has been partially realised in the past, is being realised somewhere every day, will be fully realised in the future. Every habitation of cruelty in the world to become the abode of peace and love. The dark places of the earth, to be lit up with the light of His Gospel. The knowledge of the Lord to cover the whole earth. Nations to be born to Him in a day. The kingdoms of this world, &c.
II. The cause of His success.
The nations will see by the agency of the Holy Spirit that God had appointed Christ to be the Saviour of man, and had glorified Him. May we give, labour, and pray, to hasten the dawn of this glorious day.—A. M’Auslane, D.D.
I. The condition of the Gentiles. Unknown. Unknowing. II. Their call. Effected by the Gospel. Eagerly received. III. The cause. Displays of Divine power. Diffusion of the Divine Spirit. Consequent on Christ’s glorification.—J. Lyth, D.D.
I. The gospel is for the world. II. The world is ready to receive it. III. Divine power accompanies it. IV. Therefore send it.—J. Lyth, D.D.