The Security for the Fulfilment of God’s Promises.
ix. 7. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.
It may be affirmed with equal truth, that from what zeal is in man we may know what it is in God; and that from what zeal is in man we cannot tell what it is in God (H. E. I. 2229–2240). We can tell what its nature is, but we cannot tell its power. 1. Zeal is in man an intense passionateness of desire for the accomplishment of some purpose; this leads to an energy and continuity of action that in many cases triumphs over obstacles, and accomplishes what seemed impossible. True zeal in man is intelligent, calm, persistent, and unweariable; and all this we know it must be in God. 2. But what its power is in God we cannot tell. Water in the mass, and fire in the mass, is an utterly different thing from water or fire on a small scale.[1] “The zeal of the Lord of hosts” is a tremendous conception which the mind cannot grasp.
This declaration is the consummation and crown of a great promise concerning the Messiah. It is the guarantee that, great as that promise is, it shall not remain unfulfilled; the heart of God is set upon its accomplishment, and He is “the Lord of hosts.” We have here a general and blessed principle, applicable to all God’s promises. For two reasons many human purposes remain unfulfilled: those who entertain them are not in earnest about them, or they lack power to carry them into effect. But both these essential requisites meet in God—earnestness and power. He makes no promise lightly; He attaches importance to every pledge He has ever entered into; and He will fulfil His promises, according to the largest interpretation that can be put upon them (Eph. iii. 20).
Let us use this declaration for the comforting and strengthening of our hearts. There are many great and precious promises, I. Concerning the extension of Christ’s kingdom, e.g., in the words preceding our text. It is declared that the influence and authority of Christ shall be unceasingly exerted with constantly augmenting effect, until all the disorder and misery of the world shall be brought to an end. So glowing is the picture given by the prophets of the world’s future that we are tempted to fear that it will never be realised. But “the zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this”; and those who by their prayers, efforts, and sacrifices are trying to contribute to the extension of Christ’s kingdom, may rejoice in the assurance that they are not labouring in vain, nor spending their strength for nought (H. E. I. 979, 1161, 1162, 1166–1168; P. D. 475, 517, 2465, 2466). II. Concerning the temporal well-being of Christ’s people. 1. Deliverance in time of danger (Isa. liv. 17). Illustrate by the account of the deliverance of Hezekiah (Isa. xxxvii.), noting especially that the promise then given was enforced by the very same declaration: “the zeal of the Lord of hosts shall do this” (ver. 32; H. E. I. 4058). 2. Supply for all temporal necessities (Matt. vi. 25–34; H. E. I. 4507). III. Concerning the spiritual necessities and ultimate perfection of Christ’s people. After each of them Faith sees written, though not with ink, “The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this” (H. E. I. 1063–1071, 1106, 1112–1119). By and by there is to be a great gathering of Christ’s ransomed ones in the heavenly world, and this will then be their grateful acknowledgement (Josh. xxiii. 14). Meanwhile, whensoever in our search of the Scriptures we find a promise specially adapted to our needs, let us lay hold of it, saying with joyful confidence, “The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this!”
FOOTNOTES:
[1] The nature of water in a little pool left on the sea-shore by the receding tide is the same as in the great sea itself; but from the little pool we cannot form any conjecture as to the power of water when moving in mighty waves. So with fire,—its nature is the same in a lighted match and in a great conflagration such as reduced Chicago to ashes; but how different its power in the two cases! Scientific observers have left it on record, that while watching that conflagration it was revealed to them for the first time what power there is latent in fire, when massed in a great body; when at its height, solid granite buildings were consumed and passed away as if they had been made of thin pasteboard.