One New Man

Eph. 2:15 Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace. Jew and Gentiles were reconciled and brought together by the gospel, and there were no more such wars between them as there had been; for they became one sheepfold under one Shepherd. The first five verses of Isaiah 2 foretell the kingdom of Messiah, the conversion of the Gentiles, and their admission into it. The bringing of the Gentiles into it. 1. The nations shall be admitted into it, even the uncircumcised, who were forbidden to come into the courts of the Temple at Jerusalem. The partition wall, which kept them out, kept them off, shall be taken down. 2. All nations shall flow into it; having liberty of access, they shall improve their liberty, and multitudes shall embrace the Hebrew faith. They shall flow into it, as streams of water, which denotes the abundance of converts that the gospel should make and their speed and cheerfulness in coming into the fold. They shall not be forced into it, but shall naturally flow into it. Thy people shall be willing, all volunteers, Psalms 110: 3. To the Messiah shall the gathering of the people be, Genesis 49:10. See Isaiah 60:4, 5. Last days - that is, Messiah's: especially the days yet to come, to which all prophecy hastens, when "the house of the G-d of Jacob," namely, at Jerusalem, shall be the center to which the converted nations shall flock together (Matt. 13:32; Lk. 2:31, 32; Acts 1:6, 7); where "the kingdom" of Israel is regarded as certain and the time alone uncertain (Ps. 68:15, 16; 72:8, 11). Wherever the latter times are mentioned in Scripture, the days of the Messiah are always meant. Come ye, and let us go up - The mutual assistance and encouragement which this confluence of converts shall give to one another. Their pious affections and resolutions shall be so intermixed that they shall come in one full stream. As, when the Jews from all parts of the country went up thrice a year to worship at Jerusalem, they called on their friends in the road and excited them to go along with them, so shall many of the Gentiles court their relations, friends, and neighbors, to join with them in embracing the Hebrew religion. Those that are entering into covenant and communion with G-d themselves should bring as many as they can along with them; it becomes Believers to provoke one another to good works, and to further the communion of saints by inviting one another into it. What they promise themselves in going up to the mountain of the L-rd; There He will teach us of His ways. Note, G-d's ways are to be learned in His church, in communion with His people, and in the use of instituted ordinances--the ways of duty which He requires us to walk in, the ways of grace in which He walks towards us. It is G-d that teaches His people, by His word and Spirit. It is worth while to take pains to go up to his holy mountain to be taught his ways, and those who are willing to take that pains shall never find it labor in vain. Then shall we know if we follow on to know the L-rd. 4. What they promise for themselves and one another: "If He will teach us His ways, we will walk in His paths; is He will let us know our duty, we will by His grace make conscience of doing it." Those who attend G-d's word with this humble resolution shall not be sent away without their lesson. Out of Zion shall go forth the Law - In the Temple of G-d, and in His ordinances only, can we expect to hear the pure doctrines of revelation preached. 1. G-d alone can give a revelation of His own will. 2. We must use the proper means in order to know this will. 3. We should know it in order to do it. 4. We should do it in order to profit by it. 5. He who will not walk in the light when G-d vouchsafes it shall be shut up in everlasting darkness. 6. Every man should help his neighbor to attain that light, life, and felicity: "Come ye, and let us walk in the light of the L-rd. From Jerusalem - (Lk. 24:47) an earnest of the future relations of Jerusalem to Christendom (Rom. 11:12, 15). The Messiah Himself began in Galilee, Matt. 4:23, Lk. 23:5. But, when He commissioned His Jewish Apostles to preach the gospel to all nations, He appointed them to begin in Jerusalem, Luke 24:47. See Romans 15:19. Though most of them had their homes in Galilee, yet they must stay at Jerusalem, there to receive the promise of the Spirit, Acts 1:4. And in the Temple on Mount Zion they preached the gospel, Acts 5:20. This honor was allowed to Jerusalem, even after Y’Shua was crucified there, for the sake of what it had been. And it was by this gospel, which took rise from Jerusalem, that the gospel was established on the top of the mountains. This was the rod of divine strength that was sent forth out of Zion, Psalms 110:2. Judge - as a sovereign umpire, settling all controversies (11:4), work, conviction. He whose Word goes forth out of Zion shall by that word not only subdue souls to Himself, but rule in them. He shall, in wisdom and justice, order and overrule the affairs of the world for the good of His followers, and rebuke and restrain those that oppose His interest. By His Spirit working on men's consciences He shall judge, and rebuke shall try men and check them; His kingdom is spiritual, and not of this world. Plowshares - in the East resembling a short sword (9:6, 7; Zec. 9:10). He whose word goes forth out of Zion shall by that word not only subdue souls to himself, but rule in them. He shall, in wisdom and justice, order and overrule the affairs of the world for the good of His church, and rebuke and restrain those that oppose His interest. By His Spirit working on men's consciences He shall judge, and rebuke shall try men and check them; His kingdom is spiritual, and not of this world. War any more - Jew and Gentiles were reconciled and brought together by the gospel, and there were no more such wars between them as there had been; for they became one sheepfold under one Shepherd. If wars are necessary, how deep must that fall be that renders them so! But what a reproach to humanity is the trade of war! Men are regularly instructed in it, as in any of the necessary arts. "How to dislodge most souls from their frail shrines by bomb, sword, ball, and bayonet, is the art which some call great and glorious!" [5] O house of Jacob, come ye, and let us walk in the light of the L-RD. The connection is: As Israel's high destiny is to be a blessing to all nations (Gen. 12:3), let Israel's children walk worthy of it (Eph. 5:8). The light - Take heed that you do not reject that light which is so clear that even the blind Gentiles will discern it. 1. Let us walk circumspectly in the light of this knowledge. Will G-d teach us His ways? Will He show us His glory in the face of the Messiah? Let us then walk as children of the light and of the day, Eph. 5:8, 1 Thess. 5:8, Romans 13:12. 2. Let us walk comfortably in the light of this peace. Shall there be no more war? Let us then go on our way rejoicing, and let this joy terminate in G-d, and be our strength, Neh. 8:10. Thus shall we walk in the beams of the Sun of righteousness.