Bible Heaven/Bible Heaven.iso/online/mhcc24/v26000

Text File | 1994-03-02 | 6KB | 115 lines

26004
 #11,12 God's prophets and ministers are as watchmen in the city
 in a time of peace, to see that all is safe. As watchmen in the
 camp in time of war, to warn of the motions of the enemy. After
 a long sleep in sin and security, it is time to rise, to awake
 out of sleep. We have a great deal of work to do, a long journey
 to go; it is time to be stirring. After a long dark night is
 there any hope of the day dawning? What tidings of the night?
 What happens to-night? We must never be secure. But many make
 curious inquiries of the watchmen. They would willingly have
 nice questions solved, or difficult prophecies interpreted; but
 they do not seek into the state of their own souls, about the
 way of salvation, and the path of duty. The watchman answers by
 way of prophecy. There comes first a morning of light, and
 peace, and opportunity; but afterward comes a night of trouble
 and calamity. If there be a morning of youth and health, there
 will come a night of sickness and old age; if a morning of
 prosperity in the family, in the public, yet we must look for
 changes. It is our wisdom to improve the present morning, in
 preparation for the night that is coming after it. Inquire,
 return, come. We are urged to do it quickly, for there is no
 time to trifle. Those that return and come to God, will find
 they have a great deal of work to do, and but little time to do
 it in.

26006
 #13-17 The Arabians lived in tents, and kept cattle. A
 destroying army shall be brought upon them, and make them an
 easy prey. We know not what straits we may be brought into
 before we die. Those may know the want of necessary food who now
 eat bread to the full. Neither the skill of archers, nor the
 courage of mighty men, can protect from the judgments of God.
 That is poor glory, which will thus quickly come to nothing.
 Thus hath the Lord said to me; and no word of his shall fall to
 the ground. We may be sure the Strength of Israel will not lie.
 Happy are those only whose riches and glory are out of the reach
 of invaders; all other prosperity will speedily pass away.
26011
 * The siege and taking of Jerusalem. (1-7) The wicked conduct of
 its inhabitants. (8-14) The displacing of Shebna, and the
 promotion of Eliakim, applied to the Messiah. (15-25)

 #1-7 Why is Jerusalem in such terror? Her slain men are not
 slain with the sword, but with famine; or, slain with fear,
 disheartened. Their rulers fled, but were overtaken. The
 servants of God, who foresee and warn sinners of coming
 miseries, are affected by the prospect. But all the horrors of a
 city taken by storm, faintly shadow forth the terrors of the day
 of wrath.

26018
 #8-14 The weakness of Judah now appeared more than ever. Now
 also they discovered their carnal confidence and their carnal
 security. They looked to the fortifications. They made sure of
 water for the city. But they were regardless of God in all these
 preparations. They did not care for his glory in what they did.
 They did not depend upon him for a blessing on their endeavours.
 For every creature is to us what God makes it to be; and we must
 bless him for it, and use it for him. There was great contempt
 of God's wrath and justice, in contending with them. God's
 design was to humble them, and bring them to repentance. They
 walked contrary to this. Actual disbelief of another life after
 this, is at the bottom of the carnal security and brutish
 sensuality, which are the sin, the shame, and ruin of so great a
 part of mankind. God was displeased at this. It is a sin against
 the remedy, and it is not likely they should ever repent of it.
 Whether this unbelief works by presumption or despair, it
 produces the same contempt of God, and is a token that a man
 will perish wilfully.

26025
 #15-25 This message to Shebna is a reproof of his pride, vanity,
 and security; what vanity is all earthly grandeur, which death
 will so soon end! What will it avail, whether we are laid in a
 magnificent tomb, or covered with the green sod? Those who, when
 in power, turn and toss others, will be justly turned and tossed
 themselves. Eliakim should be put into Shebna's place. Those
 called to places of trust and power, should seek to God for
 grace to enable them to do their duty. Eliakim's advancement is
 described. Our Lord Jesus describes his own power as Mediator,
 #Re 3:7|, that he has the key of David. His power in the kingdom
 of heaven, and in ordering all the affairs of that kingdom, is
 absolute. Rulers should be fathers to those under their
 government; and the honour men bring unto their families, by
 their piety and usefulness, is more to be valued than what they
 derive from them by their names and titles. The glory of this
 world gives a man no real worth or excellence; it is but hung
 upon him, and it will soon drop from him. Eliakim was compared
 to a nail in a sure place; all his family are said to depend
 upon him. In eastern houses, rows of large spikes were built up
 in the walls. Upon these the moveables and utensils were hung.
 Our Lord Jesus is as a nail in a sure place. That soul cannot
 perish, nor that concern fall to the ground, which is by faith
 hung upon Christ. He will set before the believer an open door,
 which no man can shut, and bring both body and soul to eternal
 glory. But those who neglect so great salvation will find, that
 when he shutteth none can open, whether it be shutting out from
 heaven, or shutting up in hell for ever.
26036
 * The overthrow of Tyre. (1-14) It is established again. (15-18)

 #1-14 Tyre was the mart of the nations. She was noted for mirth
 and diversions; and this made her loath to consider the warnings
 God gave by his servants. Her merchants were princes, and lived
 like princes. Tyre being destroyed and laid waste, the merchants
 should abandon her. Flee to shift for thine own safety; but
 those that are uneasy in one place, will be so in another; for
 when God's judgments pursue sinners, they will overtake them.
 Whence shall all this trouble come? It is a destruction from the
 Almighty. God designed to convince men of the vanity and
 uncertainty of all earthly glory. Let the ruin of Tyre warn all
 places and persons to take heed of pride; for he who exalts
 himself shall be abased. God will do it, who has all power in
 his hand; but the Chaldeans shall be the instruments.