Isaiah 49:8-16, Psalm 131:1-3, 1 Corinthians 4:1-5, Matthew 6:24-34.
A), THE RESTORATION OF GOD’S PEOPLE.
Isaiah 49:8-16.
In Isaiah 49:3 the Servant is named as Israel, yet the New Testament identifies the Servant as Jesus (Matthew 12:14-21; Acts 8:32-35): our Lord is the ideal which Israel typologically represented. Paul’s quotation of Isaiah 49:6 teaches us that the ministry of Jesus is continued by the church (Acts 13:46-47). Isaiah 49:7 may represent the rejection of Jesus (cf. Isaiah 53:3), and no doubt is inclusive of it, but the singular pronoun can also be used collectively for Israel (cf. Isaiah 41:8-9), or even for the church.
Viewed another way, what God’s people go through, both before and after Christ, is but a shadowing fore and aft of His sufferings. Men will still despise the Gospel, and its messengers, but the promise of Isaiah 49:7 remains: Kings and princes do rise and worship when they see the faithfulness of Israel’s covenant God. This is true whether they be wise men from the east prostrating themselves at the holy babe’s feet, or world rulers who submit themselves to the claims of the Gospel which comes to them by the mouths of His faithful servants.
The second half of the second Song (Isaiah 49:8-13), then, belongs to all of God’s people. Paul certainly thought so when he quoted Isaiah 49:8 (2 Corinthians 6:2). In an accepted time, a season of grace, a day of salvation, Jesus is given as a covenant to the people of Israel; and faithful preachers are sent from Israel to restore the earth, so that the meek may inherit it.
As a deposit on this promise, meantime, the Israelite captives would be set free from Babylon. Those already free cry to those still in darkness to come out, and to show themselves (Isaiah 49:9): the darkness motif, and the call to separation, are echoed by Paul in the passage quoted above (2 Corinthians 6:14; 2 Corinthians 6:17). Furthermore they are promised provision for the journey, protection from the sun (cf. Psalm 121:6), and a clear highway; and the Lord Himself leads His little flock by springs of water (Isaiah 49:9-11).
Reminiscent of the beginning of the Song which was addressed to those who come from afar (Isaiah 49:1), it becomes evident that the return from exile is only a small part of the fulfilment to come. There are people flocking to Christ from the furthest reaches of the earth (Isaiah 49:12). No wonder the heavens and the earth are exhorted to give a shout of praise (Isaiah 49:13).
Yet there is a sour note to bring discord to the song of this happy throng. Zion sees herself languishing, laying in ruins, forsaken and forgotten by God (Isaiah 49:14). The church of our Lord Jesus Christ longs for heaven, but is impatient of ever getting there.
Sometimes we feel deserted by God, destitute, orphaned. Yet God has a ready answer: even if a mother can forget her sucking child, yet God cannot forget His own precious children (Isaiah 49:15). He has our names engraved upon the palms of His hands, all of us collectively, and each one of individually who are His (Isaiah 49:16).
B). THE QUIET LIFE.
Psalm 131:1-3.
It is an incredible testimony of David that he was not overly ambitious to get to the kingdom into which he had been anointed ahead of the due time (cf. 1 Samuel 18:18). He certainly wasn’t about to murder the one who had been anointed before him (cf. 1 Samuel 24:6)!
PSALM 131:1. In this context, David could claim to the “LORD” that his “heart” was not “haughty” (lifted up), nor his “eyes lofty” (cf. Psalm 101:5). Neither was he in the habit of exercising himself “in great matters, or in things too high” (literally ‘wonderful’) for him (cf. Job 42:3; Psalm 139:6).
PSALM 131:2. In effect, ‘I have stilled and quieted my soul like a weaned child.’ Thus we are called to be as little children (cf. Matthew 18:3). The comfort of mother continues long after the challenges of weaning. The comfort of the LORD is even more reliable (cf. Isaiah 49:15).
PSALM 131:3. All this is leading up to the exhortation: “Let Israel hope in the LORD from henceforth and for ever.” We are to rest our confidence and trust in the LORD (cf. Matthew 11:29). For ever.
C). MINISTERS OF CHRIST.
1 Corinthians 4:1-5.
1 CORINTHIANS 4:1.
a). “Let a man so account of us.”
Of whom? Of Paul and Apollos (cf. 1 Corinthians 4:6).
b). “as ministers (attendants) of Christ.”
Not lords over the Church (cf. 1 Peter 5:3), but servants of the Lord of the Church. Servants, doing Christ’s work at His bidding, each according to their own calling (cf. 1 Corinthians 3:6-8).
c). “and stewards (housekeepers) of God’s mysteries.”
A steward has the oversight of whatever his master has entrusted to him. The mysteries are hitherto hidden secrets which are now being revealed through the preaching of the gospel (cf. Colossians 1:26).
1 CORINTHIANS 4:2.
“Moreover it is required of stewards that a man be found faithful.”
Trustworthiness is more important than either success or popularity. Ministers are accountable to God (cf. 2 Timothy 2:15).
1 CORINTHIANS 4:3.
a). “But to me it is the smallest matter that I be judged by you or by man’s judgment.”
Paul does not see himself as answerable to any human court for the things that God has entrusted to him. Human criticism hurts, but a sense of duty to God keeps him steady.
b). “but neither do I judge my own self.”
The temptation to self-doubt is also there, but the faithful steward need pay it no heed.
1 CORINTHIANS 4:4.
a). “For I am conscious of nothing against myself.”
The Apostle has a clear conscience. It is as he told Governor Felix: ‘Herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God and men’ (cf. Acts 24:16).
b). “but not by this have I been justified.”
Despite what Roman philosophers may have thought, conscience is not the final judge. God is.
c). “but He who judges me is the Lord.”
And, wonder of wonders, God does justify even the ungodly who put their trust in the cross of Christ (cf. Romans 4:5; Romans 3:24)!
1 CORINTHIANS 4:5.
a). “Therefore do not judge anything before the time, until the Lord comes, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will manifest the counsels of hearts.”
It is quite superfluous for people to be judging one another before all the facts are gathered. The Lord alone knows the secrets of all hearts, whether they be things of darkness, or things worthy of His commendation.
b). “and then shall be praise to each from God.”
Not that everybody will receive praise or commendation: but to everybody to whom it is coming it will then come. From God, not men.
D). A QUESTION OF PRIORITIES.
Matthew 6:24-34.
MATTHEW 6:24. We must choose between “God” and “Mammon.” It is all a question of priorities. If we are a slave to the things of this world, then we cannot be an effective servant of the kingdom of God.
MATTHEW 6:25. “Take no thought” is an unfortunate translation. When Jesus says (literally) “be not careful,” He obviously is not sanctioning thoughtlessness, nor even carelessness. He rather means, “Do not be anxious.”
Jesus introduces a trinity of cares: what shall we eat; what shall we drink; what shall we put on? Our “life” (the word would be more literally translated “soul”) is more than all these. Again it is a question of priorities: what use is it anyway if we gain the whole world, but lose our soul (cf. Matthew 16:26)?
MATTHEW 6:26. If we study the birds, we might learn something of the providence of God: we might learn to trust Him. For they do not sow or reap or store in granaries, but God provides for them: and are we not better than they (cf. Matthew 10:29-30)?
MATTHEW 6:27. Which of us by fretting and worrying can add one inch to our stature, or one moment to our lifespan?
MATTHEW 6:28-29. And what about the flowers of the field? They labour not nor spin, and yet they are adorned better than Solomon in all his glory (cf. 1 Kings 10:4-5).
MATTHEW 6:30. Even such things, which would later be gathered with the grass as kindling for the fire, are under God’s care: so why should we doubt Him?
MATTHEW 6:31. So, “do not be anxious,” repeats Jesus.
MATTHEW 6:32. People who do not know God may prioritise these things: but we have a heavenly Father who knows that we need them - even before we ask.
MATTHEW 6:33. As for us, we must hold the things of this earth with a loose hand and prioritise our lives in such a way as to give precedence to the kingdom of God and the establishment of His righteousness (cf. Isaiah 9:7).
MATTHEW 6:34. We set our eyes, set our hearts, towards the advancement of the kingdom of God. We trust not ourselves to accomplish it, but we know the One whose righteousness is imputed to us and follow His lead. Rest assured, when He is in charge of our lives we need not worry about tomorrow today!
