WORTHLESS SHEPHERDS
Isaiah 56:10-12. His watchmen are blind: they are all ignorant, &c.
A very sad description is here given of the “watchmen”—the spiritual leaders of Isaiah’s time, evincing a state of lamentable degeneracy and corruption. The language has often been, and still is, descriptive of many shepherds of the flock.
I. Ignorant. Immersed in sin themselves, they were blind to the sins, and wants, and dangers of the people—destitute of spiritual wisdom and discernment (Isaiah 29:18; Isaiah 35:5; Isaiah 42:7; Isaiah 42:16-19; Isaiah 43:8, &c.; Jeremiah 3:15). Like the blind guides of the Gospel (Matthew 15:14; Luke 6:39, &c.). Ignorance of “the truth as it is in Jesus” is an effectual disqualification for the office. What irreparable evil may be wrought by such blind guides!
II. Indolent. What a graphic and striking description of an indolent ministry. True of many to-day, who act as though hearers were won by idleness (Proverbs 6:10). Instinct prompts the canine race to act the part which God intends; but, alas! there are men in the ministry whom neither conscience, reason, hope, fear, nor love will rouse to effort to save souls. Instead of acting as faithful watch-dogs, who givewarning of the approach of danger by their barking, they remain apathetic, and utter no warning. It is as if they passed their lives in sleep. What a terrible awakening they will one day experience!
III. Covetous. They keep up the old custom, rejected by the higher prophets as an abuse, of taking fees (Numbers 22:7; 1 Samuel 9:7; 1 Kings 14:3; 2 Kings 5:16; Matthew 10:8; Acts 8:20; Ezekiel 13:19; Ezekiel 22:25; Micah 3:3). They are “greedy” after gain. All their inquiry is what they shall get, not what they shall do (Philippians 2:21). They never have enough (Ecclesiastes 5:10). They are careful for their dues—tithes, collections, pew-rents, &c., rather than for souls. “Ambitious of preferment for its gold.” Yet they are set apart not to promote their own interests, but the welfare and salvation of others. What possible effect for good can their preaching have? They do inconceivable injury to the cause of truth, for it is evident they do not live for their charge, but for themselves.
IV. Intemperate. Given to excess in wine, and to long revels, such as even the heathen considered to be disgraceful (Isaiah 28:7). One is represented as inviting another to a carouse of two days. Their frailty and mortality little thought of; no dread of the judgment of God, &c. Living only for carnal gratification, they cannot think of making sacrifices for souls. Of all evils, intemperance is most unbecoming to the minister of Christ, and prevents his rebuking vice in others with any practical effect.
Conclusion.—What a humiliation that such men are allowed to remain in the Church! Such shepherds make the Church lifeless and barren. How strikingly in Saint Paul’s character are developed the marks of a good shepherd—one that careth for the sheep (Philippians 1:8; Philippians 4:1; and others). If such intense yearning characterised all the shepherds of Israel now, what a different Church we should have! We hear much about the reformation of the government; is not the reformation of the ministry more needful? Let the Church, therefore, take the greatest possible care in separating men to this work and office.—A. Tucker.
PROCRASTINATION, OR PRESUMING ON THE FUTURE
Isaiah 56:12. To-morrow shall be as this day, and much more abundant.
There is a marked and melancholy inconsistency between the admissions which men make, and the course of conduct which they pursue. The uncertainty of life is universally granted, yet men think, and talk, and act confidently on the credit of “to-morrow,” and, not seldom, of much longer periods. Procrastination is—
I. PAINFULLY COMMON. A very old evil (Exodus 8:10, and others). We are all more or less guilty of it, for all our purposes and plans reach into a future which will never be ours. Specially manifested in relation to experimental religion. All ages and classes indulge in it. The young look to middle age, the more advanced to the last stage of life, &c. “To-morrow” is the prevailing maxim;—a maxim which few pretend to justify, but on which the vast majority persist in acting; a maxim of which all grant the folly in words, and by the admission condemn their own practice. Men of business often warn the young against the evil in relation to this life, yet act on the principle they condemn respecting interests incomparably more momentous. Strange infatuation! What has been your conduct?
II. SHAMEFULLY UNGRATEFUL. A practical disregard of all the mercy and love of God. The unnumbered blessings of His gracious providence. The richer blessings of His grace in Christ Jesus. The enormity of ingratitude to God. “The ass, after having drunk, gives a kick to the bucket” (Italian). God’s greatest miracle is His patience and bounty to the ungrateful.
III. PALPABLY UNREASONABLE.
1. True religion is supremely important. The only source of true happiness; of support amid the trials of life; of peace in death; and of a blissful immortality.
2. Delay increases difficulties. You may not think so; you imagine the future will present more favourable opportunities than the present, &c. But that is manifestly unreasonable, for, owing to the known laws of habit, every day’s delay increases the difficulties, &c. Sin gets a firmer hold upon you. Your experience bears witness. If you do not decide to-day, it becomes less likely that you ever will, &c
3. You have no evidence that you will live till to-morrow. You cannot calculate on the future (Proverbs 27:1). The Gospel may never be preached to you again, &c.
IV. EXCEEDINGLY SINFUL.
1. It encourages others to continue in their sins. Your to-day, is a day of evil example, &c.
2. It robs God of His due—your best affections, &c. Religion is not a mere creed, &c., but an obligation, founded on absolute proprietorship and mediatorial interposition (1 Corinthians 6:19-20).
3. It practically disregards God’s commands. Repentance and faith, &c., are immediate duties. “The imperative hath no future tense.”
4. It involves the abuse of all the means which God is graciously employing for your salvation. Resisting the strivings of His Spirit, &c.
V. IMMINENTLY DANGEROUS. Danger is always associated with sin. Increases with every day’s delay. To-morrow may be for ever too late. “Hell is paved with good intentions.” To delay is to court ruin.
CONCLUSION.—Presume not on the patience of God. Do not longer calculate on to-morrow. Yield yourself to God NOW (Hebrews 3:7; 2 Corinthians 6:2; Proverbs 1:24-31). You will never regret the step. But if you continue to befool yourself, every day will add its weight of guilt and sorrow. The Holy Ghost saith TO-DAY.—A. Tucker.