UNSPARING REPROOF
Isaiah 58:1. Cry aloud and spare not, &c.
Faithful dealing always objected to: called fault-finding, indulging in personalities, &c. The old cry is still heard, “Prophesy unto us smooth things.” O for the prayer (Psalms 139:23).
I. ISRAEL’S SINFULNESS. A whole catalogue of sins (Isaiah 56:10-12; Isaiah 57:5; Isaiah 59). In the face of these appalling sins and fiendish cruelties and wrongs, they profess themselves saints (Isaiah 58:2). The sham and hypocrisy of all this is emphasised by the word “yet,” which strikes a contrast between their religiousness and their sins, and declares their religiousness a sham (Isaiah 58:5; Isaiah 57:12).
What a striking parallel between the state of Israel then and of England now.
1. We pose as a righteous nation! Yet look at our national sins.
(1.) Social wrongs, greed of place and wealth, so that the state to which the needy has been reduced has been declared to be one in which “we sit on a volcano.”
(2.) Social impurity, with its abounding immorality and fiendish crime.
(3.) Murder as a trade. It may be slow, but sure; and, as in Israel’s case, it is the slaying of children!
(4.) Intemperance. It is computed that we have 800,000 drunkards, and that for every £1 we spend on Christian missions, we spend £130 in drink!
(5.) Idolatry. Everything being sacrificed to worldliness, fashion, custom, public opinion, &c. No nation sins with more determined step, or with more brazen face!
2. Not only is our national religiousness deceptive, but there is also very much that is sham in the Churches of our land. Formalism, cant, rant, self-delusion. Many seem to be righteous, and think they delight in religious duties, &c. What wilful blinking of the truth! What religiousness without religion! No wonder that to many religion is a synonym for sham—keenly noticed by the worldly, and a grievous hindrance to those who would join God’s people, &c.
II. ISRAEL REPROVED.—Israel’s sins must be reproved plainly, earnestly, faithfully, fearlessly, and publicly. So with us to-day.
1. Sin must be reproved plainly. Show transgressions and sins—point them out, show how they abound, &c. Some say “No,” you only make it worse; you emphasise sins, quicken the imaginations, and fire the heart with it. So in the Church. Some harm, but much good. Must reprove with Bible-plainness—call by right names; with Bible-clearness—speak of awful consequences. Examples: Elijah, John the Baptist, Christ, Luther, John Knox, Wesley, &c.
2. Faithfully. Spare not. Some object that we hurt the feelings, offend, frighten, &c. But we must not spare high or low, &c.; we must probe deep, wound, fill with anguish, &c.
3. Earnestly. “Cry aloud.” Let men feel that every Christian feels it his commission to reprove sin, &c. Fearlessly. Regard no consequences. Be not timid, hesitating, daunted, for such reprovers never give conviction.
5. Publicly. Like a trumpet of proclamation, loud and authoritative, that the sound of the reproof may be deep and stirring; go far and wide, and create and sustain public opinion in reference to these sins. There is much apparent boldness around us, but alas! how much shirking of the solemn duty.
6. In the true prophetic spirit. Under the burden of souls as David (Psalms 119:53; Psalms 119:136); Jeremiah; Christ weeping over Jerusalem; Paul, &c. In the spirit of wisdom and power (Micah 3:8). We must catch the mantle of Elijah! We must possess the tongue of the Baptist! In the spirit of saving grace (Isaiah 61:3). Not only all preachers of the Word, but Sunday-school teachers, tract distributors, fathers and mothers—all must “cry aloud,” &c.
The gracious conclusion God makes to this matter (Isaiah 58:6-12; Isaiah 65:1; Isaiah 65:15). Spoken to the same people, and by the same God. Spoken to us as well. The painfulness of the probing of Divine truth is only to prepare for the removal of sin, and the pouring in of healing balm. “Let us search our ways,” &c. “Return to the Lord,” &c. (Lamentations 3:40).—D. A. Hay.