Posted by
ValiantForTruth on Thursday, December 23, 2010 7:58:24 PM
Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name IMMANUEL, GOD WITH US. [Isaiah 7:14]
There is a signature of wisdom and power impressed upon the works of God, which evidently distinguishes them from the feeble imitations of men.
In his word likewise he has a style and manner peculiarly his own. What he is pleased to declare of himself by the prophet, may be prefixed as a proper motto to the whole revelation of his will in the Bible:
"My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts" [Isaiah 65:8-9].
This superiority of his thoughts to ours causes a proportionate difference in his manner of operation. His ways are above our conceptions, and often contrary to them. He sometimes produces great effects, by means which, to us, appear unsuitable and weak. Thus he gave Gideon a complete victory, not by providing him an army equal to that of the enemy, but by three hundred men furnished with earthen pitchers and lamps [Judges 7:19-20].
It is eminently so with respect to the restoration of fallen man to the favor of God. We have but slight thoughts of his holiness, and therefore are but slightly affected by the evil of sin. But though he be rich in mercy, no wisdom, but his own, could have proposed an expedient, whereby the exercise of his mercy towards sinners might be made to correspond with his justice and truth, and with the honor of his moral government.
His gospel reveals this expedient, and points out a way in which mercy and truth meet together; and his inflexible righteousness is displayed, in perfect harmony with the peace of sinners who submit to his appointment; and thus God appears not only gracious, but just, in receiving them to flavor.
This is the greatest of all his works, and exhibits the most glorious discovery of his character and perfections. The means are answerable to the grandeur of the design, and are summarily expressed in the text...If sinners are to be saved, without injury to the honor of his law and government (and otherwise they must perish), two things are necessary.
I. That "a virgin shall conceive, and bring forth a son."
II. That this son of the virgin shall have a just right to be called Immanuel, God with us.
[Works of John Newton, Banner of Truth, volume 4 Commentary on texts from Handel's Messiah]