The Watchman's Report and Advice
T. Dealtry, D. D. Isaiah 21:11-12 The burden of Dumah. He calls to me out of Seir, Watchman, what of the night? Watchman, what of the night?… I. WHO IS THE WATCHMAN REFERRED TO? II. THE INQUIRY INSTITUTED. 1. The whole state of the world demands of the servants of God that they should prayerfully and diligently regard the signs and movements of the times. 2. There are personal inquiries which ought to press upon all who are rightly impressed with a sense of their responsibility to God. "How is the period of my probation passing? What is the progress of the night, which is to be succeeded by a morrow which knows no change or ending? How speeds the night in which my soul's salvation is to be determined?" III. THE WATCHMAN'S REPORT IN ANSWER TO THE QUESTION. "The morning cometh, and also the night." This report is most comprehensive, and may convey the following ideas — 1. That there will be nothing settled or permanent: changes may be expected. (1) There has always been a mixture of light and darkness in the Church — in its perceptions of truth, and in the events connected with it. (2) So in the case of the individual Christian, in times of sorrow and distress: darkness has appeared to compass his path; yet he has not been without gleams of comfort and light. 2. But the report without doubt is designed to indicate a period of coming joy to believers, of misery and woe to the wicked — to the one the morning cometh, to the other night. 3. There is one other observation in the watchman's report worthy of attention, namely, that the morning and the night are said to come together; "the morning cometh, and also the night." It may seem strange to many that these periods should be said to come simultaneously. But if you look at the characters to whom they thus come, the difficulty is removed. That which will be a time of light and comfort to the righteous, will be one of darkness and dismay to the ungodly. Indeed, it is partly so in the present imperfect state of things. The very blessings of the impenitent are turned into curses; their day of mercy and grace becomes a night of darkness and calamity; whilst, on the other hand, all that appear night and trouble to the people of God, are means of increased light and joy to them. Their sorrow is turned into joy; their tribulation worketh patience and experience and hope. IV. THE ADVICE WHICH THE WATCHMAN GIVES IN CONSEQUENCE OF THE REPORT. 1. Inquiry is the first duty recommended. We look for nothing, and expect nothing so long as there is indifference. It was the great sin of God's professing people of old, that "they would not consider." It is only when we can excite a spirit of serious inquiry that we can hope for lasting good from our efforts. 2. But to diligent inquiry, return to God is recommended. All inquiry in fact is for this purpose, and it would be useless if it did not issue in an actual return to your Father. 3. The prophet closes with one more observation, and it is used by way of encouragement — "Come." (T. Dealtry, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: The burden of Dumah. He calleth to me out of Seir, Watchman, what of the night? Watchman, what of the night? WEB: The burden of Dumah. One calls to me out of Seir, "Watchman, what of the night? Watchman, what of the night?"