Homilist Isaiah 52:3 For thus said the LORD, You have sold yourselves for nothing; and you shall be redeemed without money. The whole world is an emporium; buying and selling are going on everywhere. The text refers to the sale of self. I. It is the most COMMON SALE in the emporium of the world. What do I mean by self? Not the body, not the mere bundle of intellectual faculties, but the conscience, the moral ego, the "inner man," that which works the faculties and which will live when the body is dust. Now, men are selling this manhood for a variety of things. 1. For pleasure. The voluptuary and the debauchee have sold it, and it is gone far into the mud of sensuality. 2. For wealth. The worldling has sold it, and it is gone into the miserly grub. 3. For fame. The aspirant for worldly honours and distinctions has sold it, and it is lost in the rolling current of fashion. II. It is the most FOOLISH SALE in the emporium of the world. "Sold yourselves for nought." The man who has sold it far pleasure, what has he got? "Nought." What is sensual pleasure but the pleasure of animals at best? and this wears out as animal life decays. "Desire faileth." The man who has sold it for wealth, what has he got? That which will soon "take wings and fly away." "What shall it profit a man?" etc. The man who has sold it for fame, what has he got? That which, if aromatic to-day, may be a stench to-morrow, and never at any time self-satisfying. Charles Lamb had fame, and what did he say? "I walk up and down, thinking I am happy, but knowing I am not." III. It is the most UNRIGHTEOUS SALE in the emporium of the world. No man has a right to sell his soul. "All souls are Mine," saith God. Reason says you have no right to sell your soul; you are not self-produced nor self-sustained. Conscience says you have no right to sell your soul; as you barter it away, it groans damnation at you. God made the soul to investigate His works, adore His character and serve His will. (Homilist.) Parallel Verses KJV: For thus saith the LORD, Ye have sold yourselves for nought; and ye shall be redeemed without money.WEB: For thus says Yahweh, "You were sold for nothing; and you shall be redeemed without money." |
    |