our Lord's ascension, did not see that the partition-wall between Jews and Gentiles was to be broken down : whereas we, who are Gentiles, not only know this truth, but are " graffed on that stock, from which the Jews themselves have been broken off."]
These tidings are indeed joyful : but, that they are to have a practical effect upon us, we see by, II. The exhortation grounded upon them —
In the margin of our Bibles the word "shine" is translated " be enlightened." This translation sug- gests so important a thought, a thought so naturally arising from the tidings announced, that we may well give it a distinguished place in this part of our subject. The exhortation may then be considered as two-fold ;
1. "Arise, and be enlightened" — [Notwithstanding " the true light now shines," the greater
part even of the Christian world are covered with gross dark- ness^ We set before them the light, but they " love darkness rather than light," and desire that we would " make the Holy One of Israel to cease from before themC But we should come forth from our dungeons, and behold the Sun of Righteous- ness11. We should beg of God to bring us " out of darkness into his marvellous light1," and to " shine into our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of his glory in the face of Jesus Christ k." If we continue blind it is our own fault: we take part with Satan against Christ, and, as the recompense of our wickedness, " the god of this world is permitted to blind us1," and we are given over to a delusion to believe a lie™. Since then " the day-spring from on high hath visited us," let us no longer " sit in darkness and the shadow of death," but improve the mercies we enjoy, that " our feet may be guided into the way of peace."]
2. " Arise, and shine" —
[The sun in the firmament irradiates the stars, which shine with a lustre derived from him. Thus we are also to " shine as lights in the world"," and, to reflect the light of the Sun of Righteousness. As the face of Moses, when come down from the mount, shone, so that the children of Israel could not steadfastly behold him0, so should all of us, though with a less dazzling lustre, shine in our proper orbit. The
f ver. 2. s John hi. 19. Isai. xxx. 11. h Isai. xlix. 9.
1 1 Pet. ii. 9. k 2 Cor. iv. 6. : 2 Cor. iv. 4.
m 2 Thess. ii. 11. n Phil- "• 15- ° 2 Cor. hi. 13.