Heralds of the Morning
261
Proverbs 3:14
. And the Lord revealed to them the great things of the
kingdom. “The secret of the Lord is with them that fear Him; and He
will show them His covenant.”
Psalm 25:14
.
It was not the scholarly theologians who had an understanding of
this truth, and engaged in its proclamation. Had these been faithful
watchmen, diligently and prayerfully searching the Scriptures, they
would have known the time of night; the prophecies would have opened
to them the events about to take place. But they did not occupy this
position, and the message was given by humbler men. Said Jesus:
“Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you.”
John
12:35
. Those who turn away from the light which God has given, or
who neglect to seek it when it is within their reach, are left in darkness.
But the Saviour declares: “He that followeth Me shall not walk in
darkness, but shall have the light of life.”
John 8:12
. Whoever is with
singleness of purpose seeking to do God’s will, earnestly heeding the
light already given, will receive greater light; to that soul some star of
heavenly radiance will be sent to guide him into all truth.
[313]
At the time of Christ’s first advent the priests and scribes of the
Holy City, to whom were entrusted the oracles of God, might have
discerned the signs of the times and proclaimed the coming of the
Promised One. The prophecy of Micah designated His birthplace;
Daniel specified the time of His advent.
Micah 5:2
;
Daniel 9:25
. God
committed these prophecies to the Jewish leaders; they were without
excuse if they did not know and declare to the people that the Messiah’s
coming was at hand. Their ignorance was the result of sinful neglect.
The Jews were building monuments for the slain prophets of God,
while by their deference to the great men of earth they were paying
homage to the servants of Satan. Absorbed in their ambitious strife
for place and power among men, they lost sight of the divine honors
proffered them by the King of heaven.
With profound and reverent interest the elders of Israel should
have been studying the place, the time, the circumstances, of the
greatest event in the world’s history—the coming of the Son of God to
accomplish the redemption of man. All the people should have been
watching and waiting that they might be among the first to welcome
the world’s Redeemer. But, lo, at Bethlehem two weary travelers from
the hills of Nazareth traverse the whole length of the narrow street to
the eastern extremity of the town, vainly seeking a place of rest and