BEACONS OF THE BIBLE
by Henry Law, 1869
by Henry Law, 1869
"Enoch walked with God." Genesis 5:22
Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied about these men--"See, the Lord is coming with thousands upon thousands of his holy ones to judge everyone, and to convict all the ungodly of all the ungodly acts they have done in the ungodly way, and of all the harsh words ungodly sinners have spoken against him." Jude 1:14-15
While Lamech sinned foully in the house of Cain, Enoch shone brightly in the family of Seth. In the worst times some godliness will raise its head. A star often glitters in the darkest night. In a waste wilderness some solitary flowers bloom. A green spot sparkles amid expanse of sands. When sin rushes in like a flood, a barrier from the Spirit meets it. When the Lord's cause lies very low, some saint confesses God--some faithful hand points up to heaven--some noble champion draws the sword of truth--some preacher of righteousness uplifts the Gospel-banner. While the Head breathes, the members do not wholly die. Satan never reigns undisputedly. There was an Enoch in the midnight of the old world.
His miniature is exceedingly lovely. It shows much beauty in a little space. One touch displays the man--"he walked with God." But in that simple phrase we read the pure consistency of his happy life. His career was the brightness of a tropic climate--the clear blue of a summer sky--the tranquil flow of an unruffled stream.
Blessed man! he took no step, but leaning on his God--he did no deed, but as in God's sight--he spoke no word, but as to God's listening ear. God was his light within--his life without--the polar star of all his being. He knew no deviating path--no double motive--no divided heart. His way was narrow, but it led straightforward. He saw his guide, and followed fully.
Thus he lived a type of what the Spirit can effect. What man, through heavenly grace, has been; man, through like grace, may still become. The height attained before the flood, is not too high for other days. Away then with the thought, that evenness of godly walk is too sublime for present earth! It is indeed a fearful truth, that the wells of birth-corruption are most deep--that evil cleaves as the very skin--that Satan ever tempts--that the world spreads most fascinating snares--that man unaided surely sinks. But the Spirit lives, and loves, and is omnipotent. He can subdue iniquities, and blunt temptation's shafts, and win the heart to Christ, and fill it with all the fullness of God. Thus the saint, linked to sinful flesh, can still walk closely with his God. Enochs may still bless the earth.
Child of God, do you lament your distance from this state? Be humbled, for you are not what you might be. Investigate the cause. Too often prayer is lifeless--infrequent--vague--pointless--the eye of faith is slumbering, or not intent on Christ--the heart ceases to watch--the shield is dropped--the sword is sheathed--the Spirit is grieved--the Word is not the constant food--ordinances are negligently used--the wings of wandering thoughts are not clipped; indolence puts out the fire of zeal. The walk with God is far from self--from sin--from worldly cares--from formal worship, and from frivolity's enfeebling whirl. It seeks heaven with heavenward face, besieging it with unremitting cries. It works for God--faithful to His truth--strong in His strength--rejoicing in His presence--valiant for His glory. "Enoch walked with God."
It may be said, that he was thus a magnet to attract, and not a Beacon to deter. His life, indeed, allured to holy paths. The halo around him was the winning beauty of devotedness. But while he meekly lived, he boldly preached.
His steps were gentle, but his words were the thunder's roar. Among the sinners of the old world his voice was trumpet-clearness. The Spirit records his key-note. He spoke of the Judgment-seat. He raised on high the great White Throne. He warned of tremendous reckoning. He told of the world ended, and of the endlessness beyond. His spirit bounded to time's final goal. He seems not to have dwelt on Jesus in humiliation, bearing our sins, and making full atonement. He strode over the first advent--the glorious ascension to God's right hand--the session on the mediatorial throne--and all the wonders of Christ's wondrous reign.
He pictured the awe of the concluding scene. His Beacon was the coming Judge. Thus he proclaimed, "Behold! the Lord is coming with thousands upon thousands of his holy ones to judge everyone, and to convict all the ungodly of all the ungodly acts they have done in the ungodly way, and of all the harsh words ungodly sinners have spoken against him."
We hence learn, that the old world rushed not unwarned to ruin. God left them not without clear notice. They were told of the sure end. They knew how terrible were the wages of iniquity. The upraised arm was shown. The crushing blow was fore-announced. They heard that clouds were gathering, and that shelter should be sought. The cry went forth, Behold the Judge stands before the door.
So it has always been. In every case, God will be justified, when he speaks, and clear, when he judges. Men press to hell, surmounting many barriers. They will not turn even for the prize of heaven. Too late, one agonized confession will ring sadly in each lost cell. "My anguish is mymerited desert. Many a sign-post told, that my path was towards this misery. I knew of righteous judgment. This end was blazoned on many a warning scroll. The blame is mine, even as is the suffering. I stopped my ears. I steeled my heart. I trampled on restraints. Therefore I am here. Justice is just, and I am righteously undone."
Reader! these thoughts lead directly to Enoch's Beacon. Mark it, and you shall escape this doom. "Holy Spirit! come and give realizing views. All must be darkness, without Your rays. All must be light, if You give Your presence. All will be hardness, except You melt. The rock will soften, if You will mercifully touch."
A prelude sounds, "Behold!" Let every slumberer awake. You listless, listen. Let every eye turn here-ward; for soon each eye must meet the sight. A revelation dawns, dimming all that earth ever saw. Let then all minds now contemplate.
Look onward--realize--"behold." What is the spectacle! Whom do you see! "The Lord comes." The God-man is revealed. Jesus appears unclouded--manifest--in open glory. He, who took flesh, as Bethlehem's babe--He, who grew up at Nazareth--He, who walked a lowly man beside the sea of Galilee--He, who bedewed the garden with His blood of agony--He, who bore the scourge--the buffetings--the mockery--the crown of thorns--He, who died accursed on the accursed tree, and suffered all the penal anguish of our sins--He comes to close the scene of earth, and wrap up the worn-out scroll. "Behold, He comes."
Child of God, "Behold." Gaze steadily. It is your own Jesus. "This same Jesus, who is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner, as you have seen Him go into heaven." Acts 1:11. Recognize your kinsman--your elder brother--your unfailing friend. It is He, who loved you with an everlasting love--who loved you more than His own life--who espoused you to Himself, in righteousness and truth, forever--who welcomed death, that you might live--who thinks His heavens incomplete without you. By faith you often realize His smile--and see your name upon His heart--and hear the whispers of his love--and lean upon His arm--and joy in His fellowship. Now see Him at hand--in very person--in glorious nearness. Behold, the Judge is your own Jesus!
You Christless ones. "Behold." He, whom you scorned--reviled--rejected--He whose blood you counted as a worthless thing--He, whom you crucified afresh--whose love you ridiculed--whose wrath you braved--whose cause you strove to counteract--whose kingdom you have trampled down--whose scepter you defied--whose humble followers you derided--maligned--oppressed--whose warnings you rejected--whose truth was your jest--whose ministers you shunned--whose word you hated--whose promises and threats you sneered at--"Behold," this Jesus comes!
