Isaiah begins the actual prophecy here in verse two, verse one being the sort of “wrapper” for the book, an introduction to get us started and give and a running start – albeit a very brief one. With verse two we are off and running on his first comments, typically direct and very much to the point and any man of God ought to be when addressing matters as completely and absolutely essential as these are.
2 Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth! For the LORD has spoken: “I have nourished and brought up children, And they have rebelled against Me;
For every pound of learning a person has, he needs ten pounds of common sense to know how to use it.—Persian Proverb[1]
Wikipedia, the internet based encyclopedia defines Common Sense, in the strictest sense, as that with which people in common would agree: that which they "sense" in common as their common natural understanding. Some use the phrase to refer to beliefs or propositions that in their opinion they consider would in most people's experience be prudent and of sound judgment, without dependence upon esoteric knowledge or study or research, but based upon what is believed to be knowledge held by people "in common", so: the knowledge and experience most people have, or are believed to have by the person using the term.
Thomas Paine was the American Revolutionary author who wrote a sixteen-pamphlet series entitled, The American Crisis, which he signed “Common Sense.” Greatly fanning the flames of colonial independence, his first essay, issued December 23, 1776, was read out loud to the Colonial Army at Valley Forge by order of General Washington. In it, Thomas Paine wrote:
These are the times that try men’s souls. the summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of his country; but he that stands it NOW, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman. Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain too cheaply, we esteem too lightly; ’tis dearness only that gives everything its value. Heaven knows how to put a price upon its goods; and it would be strange indeed if so celestial an article as FREEDOM should not be highly rated. Britain, with an army to enforce her tryanny, has declared that she a right (not only to TAX) but “to BIND us in ALL CASES WHATSOEVER,” and if being bound in that manner, is not slaver, then is there no such a thing as slavery upon earth. Even the expression is impious, for so unlimited a power can only belong to God … I have as little superstition in me as any man living, but my secret opinion has ever been, and still is, that God Almight will not give up a people to military destruction, or leave them unsupportedly to perish, who have so earnestly and so repeatedly sought to avoid the calamities of war, by every decent method which wisdom could invent. Neither have I so much of the infidel in me, as to suppose that he has relinquished the government of the world, and given us up to the care of devils; and I do not, I cannot see on what grounds the king of Britain can look up to Heaven for help against us: a common murder, a highwayman,or a housebreaker, has as good a pretence as he. … Say not that thousands are gone, turn out your tens of thousands; throw not the burden of the day upon Providence, but “show your faith by your works” that God may bless you. It matters not where you live, or what rank of life you hold, the evil or the blessing will reach you all. The far and the near, the home counties and the back, the rich and the poor, will suffer or rejoice alike. The heart that feels not now is dead: the blood of his children will curse his cowardice, who shrinks back at a time when a little might have saved the whole and made them happy. I love the man that can smile in trouble, that can gather strength from disress, and grow brave by reflection. ’Tis the business of little minds to shrink; but he whose heart is firm, and whose conscience approves his conduct, will pursue his principles unto death. The cause of America is in a great measure the cause of all mankind. Where, say some, is the king of America? I’ll tell you, friend, He reigns above. Yet that we may not appear to be defective even in earthly honors, let a day be solemnly set apart for proclaiming the charter; let it be placed on the divine law, the Word of God; let a crown be placed thereon. The Almighty implanted in us these inextinguishable feelings for good and wise purposes. They are the guardians of His image in our heart. They distinguish us from the herd of common animals. Attributed to Thomas Paine, The American Patriot’s Prayer, written in 1776, reflected the sentiment of the colonies:[2]
Continental Congress (July 6, 1775), passed the Declaration of the Causes and Necessity for Taking Up Arms, composed by Thomas Jefferson, to explain to the British why militiamen from several Colonies began to gather near Boston:
But a reverence for our great Creator, principles of humanity, and the dictates of common sense, must convince all those who reflect upon the subject, that government was instituted to promote the welfare on mankind, and ought to be administered for the attainment of that end. …
Our cause is just. Our union is perfect. Our internal resources are great, and if necessary, foreign assistance is undoubtedly attainable. …
We gratefully acknowledge, as signal instances of the Divine favour towards us, that His Providence would not permit us to be called into this severe controversy, until we were grown up to our present strength, had been previously exercised in warlike operation, and possessed of the means of defending ourselves.
With hearts fortified with these animating reflections, we most solemnly, before God and the world, declare, that, exerting the utmost energy of those powers, which our beneficent Creator hath graciously bestowed upon us, the arms we have been compelled by our enemies to assume, we will, in defiance of every hazard, with unabating firmness and perseverance, employ for the preservation of our liberties; being with one mind resolved to die freemen rather than to live slaves. … .
With a humble confidence in the mercies of the Supreme and impartial Judge and Ruler of the Universe, we most devoutly implore His divine goodness to protect us happily through this great conflict, and to dispose our adversaries to reconciliation on reasonable terms, and thereby to relieve the empire from the calamities of civil war.[3]
It was Will Rogers who said the “Common sense ain’t common”. This is proved true time and time again. One must understand that there is a great deal of difference between what a believer, obedient to God, considers to be a matter of common sense and what the unredeemed, unconnected to God’s Spirit and thus out of the loop for spiritual wisdom, consider to be the same. Of course, we need to remember that we are speaking of spiritual and moral issues here. The unredeemed are certainly capable of a great many “common sense” recognitions in normal life. They can know not to put their hand on a hot stove, not to yell “fire” in a crowded room, not to cheat on their taxes, etc. They are capable of recognizing right and truth in many areas of life. There is, for instance, a right and a wrong side of many political issues and many politicos readily see and observe that truth, though I doubt that any would argue that they are on the wrong side of an issue.
I suspect that we define as “common sense” is really not common sense at all. It is a contextual, societal communication of values and perspective that is instilled in us from birth onward. Whereas many things are held in common by all societies, there are also profound differences and it seems that there cannot any explanation for that except that such knowledge is communicated from one to another. I think we must agree that it is not intuitive, that is it is not a matter of simply realizing and recognizing what is already inside of us.
This is manifestly true for delivers as well. When one comes to Christ, there is, in fact, a great deal of moral and ethical understanding that must either be unlearned, or put in place because it was ever there to begin with. What is important here is that this knowledge is external in origin to both the learned and to the communicator. If this truth is not specifically and rigidly acknowledge and this truth kept in mind arrogance and sectarianism, in group or person will be the result.
[1] Morgan, R. J. (2000). Nelson's complete book of stories, illustrations, and quotes (electronic ed.) (772). Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers.
[2] Federer, W. J. (2001). Great Quotations : A Collection of Passages, Phrases, and Quotations Influencing Early and Modern World History Referenced according to their Sources in Literature, Memoirs, Letters, Governmental Documents, Speeches, Charters, Court Decisions and Constitutions. St. Louis, MO: AmeriSearch.
[3] Federer, W. J. (2001). Great Quotations : A Collection of Passages, Phrases, and Quotations Influencing Early and Modern World History Referenced according to their Sources in Literature, Memoirs, Letters, Governmental Documents, Speeches, Charters, Court Decisions and Constitutions. St. Louis, MO: AmeriSearch.
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