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Jesus Christ, the Only Foundation
From Timeless Grace Gems
Samuel Davies, February 13, 1757
From Timeless Grace Gems
Samuel Davies, February 13, 1757
(Grace Gems Editor's note: This sermon starts a bit slow, as Davies explains the context; but do not despair, as it is one of the most insightful and powerful sermons that we have read.)
"Therefore thus says the Lord God: Behold! I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner-stone, a sure foundation: he who believes shall not make haste. Judgment also will I lay to the line, and righteousness to the plummet: and the hail shall sweep away the refuge of lies, and the waters shall overflow the hiding place!" Isaiah 28:16-17
The context, like many other passages of the prophetic scriptures, seems to have a double sense. The primary sense may be thus represented. The judgments of God were ready to break in upon and overwhelm the impenitent nation of the Jews, like "a tempest of hail, and a destroying storm, as a flood of mighty waters overflowing," and bearing all before it. (verse 2.) The prophet had repeatedly given them timely warning of these approaching judgments; but they still continued secure and impenitent, and unapprehensive of danger. They flattered themselves they had skill enough to keep themselves safe. They thought themselves to be impregnably entrenched and fortified in their riches, their strongholds, and the sanctity of their temple and nation. They might also think their arts of negotiation would secure them from the invasion of the neighboring powers, particularly the Assyrians, to whom they were not exposed.
These were the lies which they made their refuge, and the falsehood under which they hid themselves. These, they imagined, like motes or ditches, would keep off the deluge of wrath, so that it would not come to them, much less overwhelm them; and they were as secure as if they had made "a covenant with death, and entered into an agreement with hell, or the grave," not to hurt them.
Therefore the prophet represents them as saying, "We have made a covenant with death, and with hell are we at agreement: when the overflowing scourge shall pass through, it shall not come to us; for we have made lies (that is what the prophet calls lies,) our refuge;" and under what he calls falsehoods have we hid ourselves. (verse 15.)
It is in this connection my text is introduced; and it points out a solid ground of hope, in opposition to the refuge of lies in which these sinners trusted; as if he had said, since the refuge to which you flee is not safe, and since my people need another, "Therefore, this is what the Sovereign LORD says: Look! I am placing a foundation stone in Jerusalem. It is firm, a tested and precious cornerstone that is safe to build on!" That is, "My promises, my providential care, the supporting influences of my grace, and the various means I shall take for the comfort and safety of my people in this national distress, shall as effectually bear them up, as a firm foundation of stone does a building erected upon it. Those who build their hopes upon this foundation, shall stand unshaken amidst all the storms and tempests of the national calamity, that may beat upon our guilty land."
"He who believes shall not make haste;" that is, "he who trusts in this refuge shall not be struck into a distracted hurry and consternation upon the sudden appearance of these calamities. He shall not, like persons surprised with unexpected danger, fly in a wild haste to improper means for his safety, and thus throw himself into destruction by his ill-advised, precipitate attempts to keep out of it; but he shall be calm and serene, and have presence of mind to take the most proper measures for his deliverance."
Or the meaning may be, "He who believes shall not make such haste to be delivered; as to fly to unlawful means for that purpose; but will patiently wait God's time to deliver him in a lawful way."
The prophet proceeds, "Judgment also will I lay to the line, and righteousness to the plummet;" that is, "God will try the Jews with strict justice, as an architect examines a building with a line and plummet. Such of them who have built their hopes upon the foundation above described, shall stand firm and unshaken, whatever tempests fall upon them, like a regular and stately building, founded upon a solid rock. But as to others, they shall be overwhelmed in the public calamity! the hail shall sweep away the refuge of lies in which they trusted; and the waters shall overflow the hiding-place."
And then your covenant with death shall be disannulled, and your agreement with hell shall not stand: "when the overflowing scourge shall pass through then shall you be trodden down by it." (verse 18.)
This seems to be a primary sense of the context; and thus, it is probable, the Jews understood it, who did not enjoy that additional light which the gospel sheds upon it.
In this view it is very applicable to us, in the present state of our country and nation, when the enemy is likely to break in like a flood upon us. But I must add, that it is very likely, that even in this primary sense of the context, the text refers to Jesus Christ. There seems to be an unnatural force put upon the words, when they are applied to any other and the connection will admit of their application to him, even in this sense, thus, "Since the refuge of sinners is a refuge of lies, behold I will provide one that will effectually secure all who fly to it from all the judgments to which they are exposed." I lay in Zion, for a foundation, a stone, a tried stone, &c. "I send my Son into the world, as an Almighty Savior; and all who put themselves under his protection, and build their hopes upon him, shall be so safe, that all the calamities of life shall not do them a lasting injury; and the vengeance of the eternal world shall never fall upon them."
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