OTHERS TO BE GATHERED
Isaiah 56:8. The Lord God which gathereth the outcasts of Israel, &c.
God’s work is now that of gathering, &c.
I. ENCOURAGEMENT TO THOSE WHO SEEK THE LORD. Note well the instances mentioned: instances of gathering by the hand of the Lord. Outcasts have been gathered, and this is the token that others shall be gathered.
1. I suppose Isaiah alludes to the banished who had been carried away captive to Babylon and to all parts of the East, but who were at different times restored to their land. God, who brought His people out of Babylon, can bring men out of sin; He who loosed captives from bondage, can liberate spirits from despair, &c.
2. But I prefer to use the text in reference to our Divine Lord and Master, seeing that to Him shall the gathering of the people be. When He was here below He gathered the outcasts of Israel.
(1.) By His ministry (Luke 15:1-2, &c.).
(2.) By forgiving their sins. This brought them nearer still and held them there.
(3.) By graciously helping them. Magdalene, Thomas. Since He gathered to Himself a woman out of whom He cast seven devils, and a man from whom a whole legion were made to flee, why should He not deliver those of you who are under bondage now?
(4.) So as to enrol them under His banner. Levi, when he sat at the receipt of custom. Three thousand souls on the day of Pentecost.
II. THE PROMISE UTTERED.
1. It is very wide. The Gentiles should be called to know the Lord.
2. It is continuous. It was true when Isaiah stated it; it would have been true if Peter had quoted it on the morning of Pentecost. It was quite true when Carey acted upon it, and started on what men thought his mad enterprise, to go as a consecrated cobbler to convert the learned Brahmins of India, and to lay the foundation of Messiah’s kingdom there. It is quite as true now.
3. It is most graciously encouraging. It evidently applies very pointedly to outcasts. If not an outcast from society, it may be you are an outcast in your own esteem. How sweetly encouraging this should be to all of you that are sick of yourselves, and sick of your sins! There is no hope elsewhere, but there is hope in Jesus, for He is mighty to deliver, &c. Trust in Him.
4. The promise is absolute. He speaks as a king. This is the kind of language which only an Omnipotent being can use.
III. THE FACTS WHICH SUSTAIN OUR FAITH IN THIS PROMISE. We believe it, whether or no; fact or no fact, to back it up, God’s Word is sure; but still this will help some who have but slender confidence.
1. The perpetuity of the Gospel.
2. The blood of atonement has not lost its power.
3. The Spirit of God is with us still.
4. The glory and majesty of the Gospel, or rather the greatness of the glory of God in the Gospel.
5. The longings of the saints.
IV. THE CONDUCT CONSISTENT WITH THIS PROMISE.
1. Let us view this question with reference to God’s people. Believe it, and then pray about it. If you pray, you must work, for prayer without endeavour is hypocrisy; expect to see others gathered. Look out for them, and be continually saying, “Where are these others?”
2. Those who have not yet been gathered. They should be encouraged to hope. What God has done for others He can do for you.—C. H. Spurgeon: Metropolitan Tabernacle Pulpit, No. 1437.