Isaiah 13:2-5 - Homilies By W. Clarkson

The kingdom of God.

These stirring, eloquent words of the prophet describing the gathering of the hosts at the summons of Jehovah speak to us of—

I. THE EXCEEDING BREADTH OF THE DIVINE CLAIM . All things, all nations, are Jehovah's; all these hosts that are to be gathered together are "my sanctified ones;" they are "my mighty ones." They did not know him, but, notwithstanding, God claims them as belonging to himself. He does claim all nations and peoples as his own; not only those who own their allegiance, but those also who are ignorant of his Name, and are worshippers at other shrines.

II. THE COMPREHENSIVENESS OF THE DIVINE PURPOSE . God has his purposes

III. THE GREATNESS OF DIVINE POWER .

1. We understand that God has unlimited power over unresisting, inert matter.

2. We have a larger view of his omnipotence when we realize that he controls all sentient life, making every living creature to praise and serve him.

3. Our thought rises far higher as we consider how he is directing the activities of his obedient children, his voluntary servants, in all worlds.

4. We reach the largest and loftiest conception of Divine wisdom and power, in marvelous cooperation, when we dwell on his overruling energy . Jehovah so turns the selfish and ungodly projects of kings and armies to his own Divine account, that he can speak of Medes and Persians as "his sanctified ones," or as those set apart by him for this especial work; that he can represent them as " rejoicing in his highness" when they were eagerly bent on their own purposes; that he can designate them "the weapons of his indignation."