Zechariah 14:5 - Homilies By W. Forsyth

Lessons of the earthquake.

"Speak to the earth, and it shall teach thee." So said Job ( Job 12:8 ). The earthquake serves—

I. TO IMPRESS US WITH THE GREATNESS OF GOD . There are forces great and terrible. But back of all, and controlling all, is God. So the prophets taught, and so we believe ( Psalms 68:8 ; Psalms 104:32 ; Job 25:1-6 :9-14; Exodus 19:18 ).

II. TO HUMBLE US UNDER A SENSE OF OUR UTTER HELPLESSNESS . Many things possible to man. Can tame the wild beasts and subdue the earth. Can make fire and air and water his servants. But there are times when he feels his impotence. When the earthquake comes, can only say, "It is the will of the Lord" ( Isaiah 2:19-22 ).

III. TO CONVINCE US OF THE INSTABILITY OF ALL EARTHLY THINGS . The earth seems of all things the most stable. But there comes a crisis, and our old faith is gone forever. "A bad earthquake at once destroys our oldest associations. The earth, the very emblem of solidity, has moved beneath our feet; one second of time has created in the mind a strange idea of insecurity which hours of reflection could not have produced" (Darwin).

IV. TO ADMONISH US OF THE JUDGMENTS THAT ARE COMING UPON THE EARTH . Geologists tell us of internal fires, and the probability of some great catastrophe, sooner or later. "Coming events cast their shadows before." Earthquakes are prophecies. Confirmed by Scripture ( 2 Peter 3:10-12 ).

V. TO TEACH US THE PERFECT SECURITY OF GOD 'S SAINTS . Come what will, who shall separate us from the love of God? There are things which cannot be moved, and they are the heritage of God's people ( Isaiah 54:10 ; Psalms 46:1-11 .; Hebrews 12:25-29 ). We look for a new heaven and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.—F.