The Pulpit Commentary — Isaiah — Volume 2 — Section 313

of the Lord; and great shall be the peace of thy children." We gather from this text- I. THE TRUE PRIZE OF LIFE. What is that thing which is most worth having, most worth the thought of our minds, the strenuous striving of our soul, the labour of our hands? Nations, communities, individual men, have given ciifferent replies. One has said ease, another wealth, another pleasure, another power, another glory. The inspired Hebrew said peace. The blessing he invoked on those he loved, and that which he lauded in speech and song, was peace. And be was right. Peace is the indispensable, the immeasurably precious thing. 1. It is a profour,d blessing. It goes down to the depth of our compound nature; it is the excellent result of complete rightness- rightness of heart with God, rightness of life with man. 2. It is a lasting thing. Other prizes may be snatched away by untoward circumstances, or their worth dims and lessens with the passing years, or even (with some of them) with the fleeting days. But this abides; prosperity does not injure it, adversity does not remove it, age does not diminish its excellency. 3. It is the condition of holy ,1,sefulness. We can serve our race in higher and greater things without the other prizes of life, but not without this. Not until our hearts have found rest in God's truth and in himself can Wf:. be and say and do that which will guide the feet of our fellow-men into and aloug the paths of righteousness and wisdom. IL THE ONE WAY OF WINNING IT. The children of Zion would have great peace, inasmuch as they would be "taught of the Lord." Nothing else will give to the human heart the peace which it craves. 1. Comfortable circumstances will not ensure it. These circumstances cannot be generally commanded, and, if they could, there would still be a craving of the soul which no comforts or successes of any earthly kind woul,l satisfy. 2. Philosophy is not equal to the task. Stoicism tried its band, and with some of its disciples there was the appearance of success; but it has no power to minister to the necessities of the multitudes of mankind, to the ordinary human heart, to men and women as we meet and know them every day. To the common, ques- tioning, thirsting human heart it is a fountain without water, a name without the power behind it. 3. A Divine Saviour alone can supply the need. He only who brings everlasting truth to our mind, the sympathy and love of an unfailing friendship to the heart, spiritual excellence to the soul, meaning and worth to human life, a hope bright with immortal glory to the closing hour,-he only is entitled to say, "Come unto me . . . I will give you rest." "My peace I give unto you." Great peace-peace that passeth under(itanding, and that outliveth mortal life, have they who learn of him aud take his yoke upon them.-C. Ver. 17.-The heritage of faithful service. From the beginning to the end of the Scriptures the service of God is represented as the only wise course for men to take. All paths of disobedience are spoken of as ways of folly as well as of sin. It is godliness that bas the promise of all things, here and hereafter. 'l'he heritage of the holy is very variously d,1Jined, the most remarkable definition being that given by our Lord in reply to Peter (vide Mark x. 28-31). In the text we have it presented to us as a continual 'Victory. No weapon formed against the righteous shall prosper, and every accusation shall be silenced. God will justify them. The faithful service of Christ is marked by victorv over- I. SucOEss IN OUTWARD LIFE. Few weapons are so powerful as this in the band of the enemy. Many are they who, in their folly, have allowed their prosperity to destroy them (Prov. i. 32). The sense of power, the enjoyment of popularity, the com- mand of comforts, the continua.nee of success in the chosen vocation,-these things prove too much for many souls. Under their inf111once men swerve from the straight line of simplicity of life, humility of spirit, purity of heart, integrity of character. II. ADVERSE CIRCUMSTANCES. These are often found to be victorious over men, triumphing over their faith in God, their gratitude, and their submission; leading down to sullenness and moroseness of spirit; in some cases conducting to unbelief and impiety. III. PRIVATION OF PRIVILEGE. When it is e. man's fortune to be separated from the community and to lead e. life of comparative loneliness, he is cast much on his own resources. He misses the encouragement and inspiration which come from social worsliip 32i THE BOOK OF THE PROPHET ISAIAH. [oH, LIV; 1-17, and collective piety. Without the aid and influence of these, he is in danger of fainting and falling in his Christian course, IV. ExrosURE TO CORRUPT COMPANIONSHIP, This is often a matter of necessity and no~ of choice. The best may have to submit to it, and the peril of spiritual injury from 1t 1s very great. V. THE FORCE OF A SURROUNDING SOEPTI0ISM, A force which either vigorously assaults the main fortress of the faith or sedulously and stealthily undermines the walls -a great and growing peril. It is promised to the servants of the Lord that they shall triumph over these various enemies. " No weapon that is formed," etc. But while (1) God's promise may well cheer his servants, helping them to pursue their troubled path, and to do their difficult or dangerous work with alacrity and hope; it is well that (2) his conditions should be remembered. There is no absolute, unconditional guarantee; the careless, the dis- obedient, the negligent servant will be, nay, he is, defeated by the enemy; he yields and \\11s. But le~~ m_an be a faithful servant, ~tudi_o~s of Chris~'s will and daily seeking J:11s Holy Spmt s aid, and he will find that his D1v1ne Lord will "always cause him to triumph;" he will know "the exceeding greatness of his power" to uphold and to perfect. Meantime, to those who are observers, (3) God's sustaining grace will prove the sign and seal of his Divine favour. "This is their righteousness [justification] ofme."-C.