The Pulpit Commentary — Isaiah — Volume 2 — Section 231

surveying the fields, says," No harvests; or et best no harvests accordant with the toil and tears of the sowing." What folly I .As if we could see beneath the soil, the slumbering seed waiting to spring forth; or the seeds that have been carried as by the birds of the heavens to rar-away acres. I. THE BORROWFCT. WORKERS. 'fbe words have pain in them. "I have laboured in vain." No man likes to feel that. These are not the tears of indolence, but the sorrows of the toiler. We can sympathize with them; for we have all at seasons felt thus. But the words are: 1. MiHtaken in their main idea. Who knows what success is, or where success is? "In vain?" Sometimes the largest harvests grow above the sower's grave. 2. Mistaken in their central object. "I said." Yes; but who are you 1 God is the Judge. Let no man make the attempt to enter the Divine observatory. II. THE SAVING CLAUSE. "Yet!" Herecomeswisdomaftermistake. "Surelymy judgment is with the Lord." 1. This quickens inspiration to duty. 2. This sanctifies the sorrow of disappointment. 3. This keeps alive the hope of reward. What a. beautiful sJntence !-" My work is with my God." It is in good hands.-W. M. S. Ver. 6.-.A Light to the Gentiles, "It is a light thing that thou shouldest be my Servant, etc." How distinctly this prophesies concerning Christ!- I. IN RELATION TO THE TRUE GLORY OF HIS KINGDOM. Not to exalt Ja.cob, or to preserve Israel, but to be a Light to the Gentiles. II. IN RELATION TO THE HISTORY OF HIS MmISTRY. Why did the Jewish nation despise and crucify the Redeemer? It would have been a light thi:ng to serve in such a cause as that which ministered to their glory by restoring their prestige and pre- eminence; but it was "heavy as the cross" to save the world.-W. M. S. Vers. 1--4.-The claim, the ronfession, and the consolation of the Servant of God. We may treat this passage either historically or practically. We look at it- L IN ITS REFERENCE TO JESUS CHRIST. He was, indeed, an Israel, a Prince with God,as never Jacob was. He was truly a Servant of Jehovah, doing his work as never prophet or nation did before. These words are most appropriate on his lips. I. He claimed the attention of mankind. He said, in other words and ways, "Listen, 0 isles, unto me_; and hearken, ye people, from far." He said that "every one that was of the truth" would hear his words; that he would draw all men unto him. He summoned the weary hearts of men everywhere to come and find rest in him and in his service; ho offered himself to mankind as the Light of the world, as the Bread of life, etc. Ho bad the most penetrating truth to utter (ver. 2; see John vi. 63). 2. He confessed a temporary, outward failure. He had to acknowledge that the men of social standing and of ecclesiastical position did not believe in him ; that many of his disciples fell away from him in tho time of difficulty and trial; that he was left "alone." 3. Be fottnd great consolation in God. (1) In the consciousness that the Eternal Father called him to his work (ver. 1). The thought that "the Father had sent him" was his continual refuge. (2) In the assurance that the Father was with him, encompassing him with his protecting love (ver. 2; and seo Matt. xxvi. 53). (3) In the confident belier that the future would justify his action and his words. He knew that the time would come when God would be glorified through his life and death (see John xii. 24; xvii. 4). (4) In the unraltering conviction that his work would receive a Divine reward in his own exaltation (ver. 4). II. IN ITS APPLICATION TO OURSELVES. 1. We, as true teachers, make our claim. We confidently believe that we have something to say which is worth the world's attention; which is fitted to penetrate, like a sharp sword, tbo thought,, the purposes, the c~nvictions, _o[ mankind; which will give light to the understanding, pence to tho conscience, nob1hty to the character, brightness and beauty to the life, of all who will listen and learn. 2. We have to make our confession of defeat-to acknowledge, often, that we have "laboured in vain" (see ch. liii. 1). 'l'he truth we preach, or teach, or print, does not prnetrate; it is like the seed which falls on stony ground-it yields no fruit. Even the influence of our lives, and even the plcadiugs of our soul with God in earnest prayer, sometimes seem to be unavailing. 3. We find our consolation in Go,l. In the conviction that be has called us to do the work in which we are occupied; that he is surrounding us with his Divine protection and inspiring us by his upholcl:n_;  240 THE BOOK OF THE PROPHET ISAIAH. [oH. nix.1-28.