The budding horn.
We are not to think of a full-grown horn putting forth buds, like Aaron's rod—in this case a useless monstrosity of growth. The idea is that of a young horn first appearing as in a bud and then growing. A horn is to bud and grow on the house of Israel.
I. THE PROMISE.
1. In the nature of the horn. This signifies three things.
2. In the growth of the horn. It buds:
II. THE FULFILMENT.
1. In Israel. A horn budded on the head of the restored Israel. From the doleful captivity by the waters of Babylon the Jews returned to their own land. At first they were but a small and feeble folk—like the first appearance of the horn. But the horn was present in the bud. Israel was alive and growing, and she had yet a great destiny before her.
2. In Christ. Christ appeared like a horn growing out of Israel. He came as
He was born an infant in a lowly condition. Elsewhere he is compared to a sprout from the stem of Jesse (Isaiah 11:1). Christ was a Jew, and he grew up quietly in the Jewish nation. His beginning was humble; but his complete life is beyond all description in its greatness and glory. All the hope of the future is with him.
3. In the Church. Christ lives in his people. He is born again in his Church, and he grows again in the growth of this his new, mystical body. Thus on the weary, faded world there is seen to grow a new and surprising life. The Christian Church came in strength and promise as a horn of salvation to the old world. It is still a growing horn. All Christians may enjoy its great advantages, and all men may be Christians. Thus there is for all the threefold promise of the budding horn—its strength, its defense, and its glory. No man enjoys these privileges to the full at first. The horn appears as a bud. The Christian life begins in lowly spheres. But it grows like Israel's horn.