(preached by Rev. A. Ndebele to pupils and staff at Ingwenya, Sabbath evening, 30th June, 1968)
1. All things belong unto the Lord.
It would appear that Israel was concerned with those things which could be seen by the eye of man; offerings, etc., which they could bring to be acceptable unto the Lord, diligently applying themselves unto this duty, sacrificing cattle and other animals unto the Lord and trusting in these for salvation. Their hope and confidence was on what they had done. If ever they thought of eternal rest at all they thought on what they had done, how great a gift they had offered.
But the Lord said this “All things are made by My hand”; “Heaven is my throne and earth is my footstool” (vs. 1, 2). Heaven and earth belong unto the Lord and that includes humans, animals, trees, etc., even precious stones were created by the Lord. No-one gives new things to Him. Our gifts of gold and silver, even these were created by God. Our offerings are not anything new to Him. These offerings were not pleasing in His sight. There was no room for pride. Some of the Jews were filled with pride because out of the whole world Jerusalem was chosen in which to have a house for the worship of God. Israel prides herself in this. Israel saw different nations coming — the Queen of Sheba on coming to see Solomon was impressed by the temple, by his palace, etc. All nations knew that God was worshipped in Israel. All these things were made by the Lord — “If I needed a temple I could have made one”. The Lord does not dwell in a house made by hands. Such a great God! the incomprehensible, vast, eternal God, gloriously transcending all, far above our thoughts, how could a small house comprehend this God? “Heaven is my throne, etc. Where is the house that ye will build me?” (v. 1). Everything is His by right, by creation. These things are very external and yet how often our minds are taken up with this and we rest for our salvation on this. People rest for their salvation on things done, their prayers for example. “I have prayed. I am not like other children who disobey Thy laws. I have done things pleasing in Thy sight and therefore I ought to be safe and my soul received into heaven”. This was the Jews’ delusion. They were dependent on their sacrifices and were therefore “certain” of salvation. It is the thought of many today and many churches believe this. Criticism is not our aim. We should study what we stand for. It is not our aim to belittle but we must maintain the truth in Christ Jesus and uphold the faith received through the apostles and prophets, “Jesus Christ Himself being the chief corner stone”. Christ must be glorified not man. Those whose delight is in what they have done, are guilty of the sin of Israel. They looked on the skin of their animals — “Look, this is my beast!” — and expected salvation because of this. This was an abomination to the Lord (v. 3). Human sacrifice typified heathen-dom and a sacrifice like this was an abomination and not a fit basis for human salvation. These only typified One to come, they were types and shadows of Jesus and had done their service when Jesus came.
2. “But to this man will I look”.
What kind of man is this? A wise man? A philosopher? Who draws the eyes of Jehovah? With whom is the Lord concerned in the heavens? Who makes the angels admire? — “there is joy in the presence of the angels of God” — among the hosts of “angels and the spirits of just men made perfect around the throne, who cry ‘Holy, holy, holy’.” They look and are surprised at what has taken place. There is the joy with Him who liveth for ever and ever. It is “a man of poor and of a contrite spirit”.
This man is poor. How poor? Has he no clothes, no food in his barn, few blankets? What is the poverty with which the Lord is concerned? He has nothing to bring before the Lord. “When they had nothing to pay He frankly forgave them both”. A sinner has nothing of his own making when approaching the throne of God. He goes dependent on what is in the Lord, on His bounty who has “all things in the hollow of His hands”. He goes because he has nothing and knows himself to be devoid of faith. Lord I believe, help thou mine unbelief”. This man had no faith and was coming as one naked, miserable, blind and with nothing to recommend him. This is the man who is poor in the sight of God and the Lord will look upon this one. He has no goodness in himself, no good works, not even prayers. e.g. the Publican and the Pharisee. The Pharisee thanked God he was not a liar, etc. “I thank the Lord I am so good!” That man had plenty in his own eyes before God, but went away empty.
The man who goes depending upon what the Lord has — “Lord thou hast all, I have nothing”. What has the Lord got for him — (1) a garment to cover his soul, i.e. the righteousness of Christ; (2) the Spirit to fill his heart. He is an empty vessel but rivers of waters will flow out of him. If we have plenty, with what will we receive the Lord’s gifts? — faith, salvation, the righteous garment — if we are already “clothed” how can we receive it?
This man also has a contrite spirit. He is repentant, sorry, disappointed in himself, ashamed, turning to the Lord. “Against thee, thee only, have I sinned” (Psalm 51). He is sorry he has sinned against the Lord. He goes to the Lord — “He against whom we have sinned” — not to a priest nor anyone else, but to Him against whom he has sinned and asks for pardon and confesses his sins. The Lord will not pass him by.
“To this man will I look . . .”; “Blessed are the poor in spirit”, for they shall be filled! (Matt. 5). The Lord will give to those who are needy not full. This man also trembleth at God’s word.
(a) What does this mean?
Two words brought before man; the word of the Church, of man, of parents against the word of God. The word of God means more than the word of anyone else to him. “The word of God is the only rule to direct us . . .” The Lord will not pass by such as tremble. Have you done this? What makes you tremble? The word of a human being? When confronted with two opinions do you please man by committing sin? Which speaks in a more solemn manner to you — the word of God or man? A Christian’s all is governed by the word of God. The Lord says “to him will I look, not on sacrifices, not on what man eats (some still keep the ceremonial law, e.g. S.D.A.’s not eating pigs, etc.). Some are concerned with these things but the new birth, holiness and turning from darkness to light, these points are not emphasised. All this is abomination to the Lord. The man with a poor and contrite spirit, that boy or girl or man or woman will attract the eye of heaven. The Lord will bless that one with a knowledge of himself.
(b) Are there any here who tremble at God’s word?
Those who study God’s word to see what God commands; to repent, to cast away all they had; to cease building upon sand, their own works, their parents’ works and not on Christ. They have now learned that if they are saved at all it is of His kindness, of His doing, and marvellous in their eyes. Poor people! nothing to recommend them; ashamed of themselves, knowing they have come short, where could they find anything to be proud of? They have their heads bowed to the ground — saved only through Jehovah. “I will make mention of thy righteousness, of thine only”. Not “we have Abraham to our father”, but they have nothing save Christ alone. “Save me out of thy mercy. Wash away all my sins. Thou art compassionate, righteous, merciful”. This is their hope — not even their prayers. Only hypocrites say their prayers are very good. The righteousness of the Lord alone is their only confidence. “Thou hast subdued hell and death and the grave therefore we are saved”. It is because of what Jesus has done. Our all is found in Him. We go to Him with nothing — of sinfulness we have plenty, of righteousness none. We depend on the holiness of the Lord for “without holiness no man shall see the Lord”.
They are satisfied with Christ, with His holiness, His righteousness.
(c) They tremble at God’s word, in that it rules in their hearts.
A person who does not care about the Bible, who goes his own way is a heathen no matter what his profession. If he does not care about what God says he is a man without God or hope, despite his profession, whether he is the Bishop of the whole place or a man of great learning. Those who tremble do things because God says so even if it seems foolish to man. They are satisfied with God’s word and that is what a Christian is. Judge yourselves therefore by this ruler! Do you tremble at God’s word? Do you obey God rather than people? What does the word of God say? e.g. Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy. We ought to care if it is in God’s word.
3. God sees the marks He Himself has planted.
Poverty of spirit, contrite heart — and He will come to reveal Himself to them. He will strengthen them and give His Holy Spirit to them and give them the spirit of adoption “whereby they cry ‘Abba father’.” The Holy Spirit understands their desires, their “groanings that cannot be uttered”. He will reveal the things of Christ to them and comfort them, build them up in the faith and encourage them. “He that endures to the end shall be saved”. Those who have these marks are saved. If we do not have them we must seek until we know that these marks belong to us. Do we tremble at His word? Are we poor? Do we condemn ourselves? Are we dependent on God? If not we are not His.