The Pulpit Commentary — Isaiah — Volume 1 — Section 571

Vel'8. 8, 9.-TM way to Zfrin. 'l'he outward incidents of the Jewish people have a singularly close correspondence with the inward experiencea of human souls in Christian times. The captivity in Egypt and also that in Babylon find their analogue in the et.ate of spiritual bondage ,vhicb is the constant penalty of sin. 'l'be way back t-0 Jerusalem stands for our homeward pilgrimage as we travel to the city of the blessed . .As here described, there are several features in which the one answers strikincrly0 and instructively to the other. I. THE HIGHWAY TO THE HEAVENLY CITY. In all his dealings with man God has been constrncting a highway from bondage to spiritual freedom, from sin to holiness, from guilty selfishness to sacred service, from utter ruin to complete sfllvation, from earth to heaven. He was engaged in this beneficent, Divine procedure when h.e spake to us through the patriarchs, when he instituted the Law, when he gave to us his prophets. .And he completed this "way" when he "sent forth bis Son." J~sus Christ had so much to do with preparing for us the highway to the heavenly city that we appropriately speak -0f him, as indeed he spoke of himself, as actually being th-, Way itself (John xiv. 6). He, the Truth, is tho Way by which we have a knowledge of God and of his will. He, the Mediator, is the Way by which we ourselves come into close spiritual contact with God himself. He, the Propitiation, is the Way by which we ascend to forgiveness and reconciliation. He, tlie Life, i~ the Way hy which we ri~e into loving union with, and growing likeness to, and ultimate preparedness for, the Divine Father. II. THREE CHAUAOTERISTIOS OF THE HEAVENWARD WAY. 1. Here is that which is paradoxical, but true withal; for this homeward way is characterized by breadth. • It is the broad" highway," the open road, along which all travellers are free to pass. There is no such exclusiveness about it as is often found in the ways we construct. It is for all classes of society, for all nations and races of mankind, for men who have lived all kinds of human lives, for men of ell tempers and dispositions; the "King's highway•• has ample room for them all. 2. But it is also, strangely though not inconsistently, characterized by narrowness. ".And a way," i.e. a path, an elevated and narrow cause- way along which only one or two can walk abreast. About this way of ]ife there is a narrowness of its own (soo Matt. vii. 13, 14; Luke xiii. 24). (1) Its gateway can only be entered by one at a time. Men do not enter into the ldngdom of God in regiments or companies, but as separate and individual souls (see Gal. vi. 5). (2) No man can enter in swollen with pride, or carrying his vices with him, or wrapped round with selfish- ness. It is "the way of holiness," " the unclean shall not pass over it." 3. It is also characterized by directness. A man, "though a fool, shall not err therein." 'fhere. is no serious difficulty here. Mysteries there are which are insoluble, but these can be left alone--they will keep for a future time. But what the will of God is in Jesus Christ, how he would have '11B order our life, what manner of men we ought to be in order to please him,-this is as clear and plain as it could be. The little child, the man· who is little better than" a fool," need not miss his way in travelling to the heavenly city. III. THE IMMUNITY Als'D THE COMllWNION OF THE WAY, 1. Immwniity. «No lion shall be there." Not that there is no adversary to be found in the way to Zion. The evil one himself, as a roaring lion, haunts the path of life. , But there will be_ found no temptation which belongs peculiarly an~ especially _t-O the ~ea,venward way, as IS the ~ase with other paths. In the path -0f financial success 1s the lion of covetousness or avance; in the path of fame is that of vanity ; in the way of professional. success is that of complacency, etc. ; but in the way of holiness is no especial " lion " which frequents that road. It is morally 11,Ild spiritually safe. 2. Communion. There ie (1) fellowship with the holy. "The redeemed shall walk there." .And there is also and above all (2) fellowship with God himself; with the Divine Friend of man. "He shall be with them" (marginal reading); he shall be with them-he- " Leader of faithful souls, and Guide Of all who travel to the eky." o. €111, xxxv. 1-10.J THE BOOK OF THE PROPHET ISAIAH. 575