Bible Heaven/Bible Heaven.iso/online/mhcc27/v27600

Text File | 1994-03-02 | 6KB | 101 lines

27601
 #8-19 Let men beware how they call those prophets whom they
 choose after their own fancies, and how they consider their
 fancies and dreams to be revelations from God. False prophets
 flatter people in their sins, because they love to be flattered;
 and they speak smoothly to their prophets, that their prophets
 may speak smoothly to them. God promises that they should return
 after seventy years were accomplished. By this it appears, that
 the seventy years of the captivity are not to be reckoned from
 the last captivity, but the first. It will be the bringing to
 pass of God's good word to them. This shall form God's purposes.
 We often do not know our own minds, but the Lord is never at an
 uncertainty. We are sometimes ready to fear that God's designs
 are all against us; but as to his own people, even that which
 seems evil, is for good. He will give them, not the expectations
 of their fears, or the expectations of their fancies, but the
 expectations of their faith; the end he has promised, which will
 be the best for them. When the Lord pours out an especial spirit
 of prayer, it is a good sign that he is coming toward us in
 mercy. Promises are given to quicken and encourage prayer. He
 never said, Seek ye me in vain.  Those who remained at Jerusalem
 would be utterly destroyed, notwithstanding what the false
 prophets said to the contrary.  The reason has often been given,
 and it justifies the eternal ruin of impenitent sinners; Because
 they have not hearkened to my words; I called, but they refused.
27613
 #20-32 Jeremiah foretells judgments upon the false prophets, who
 deceived the Jews in Babylon. Lying was bad; lying to the people
 of the Lord, to delude them into a false hope, was worse; but
 pretending to rest their own lies upon the God of truth, was
 worst of all. They flattered others in their sins, because they
 could not reprove them without condemning themselves. The most
 secret sins are known to God; and there is a day coming when he
 will bring to light all the hidden works of darkness. Shemaiah
 urges the priests to persecute Jeremiah. Their hearts are
 wretchedly hardened who justify doing mischief by having power
 to do it. They were in a miserable thraldom for mocking the
 messengers of the Lord, and misusing his prophets; yet in their
 distress they trespass still more against the Lord. Afflictions
 will not of themselves cure men of their sins, unless the grace
 of God works with them. Those who slight the blessings, deserve
 to lose the benefit of God's word, like Shemaiah. The
 accusations against many active Christians in all ages, amount
 to no more than this, that they earnestly counsel men to attend
 to their true interest and duties, and to wait for the
 performance of God's promises in his appointed way.
27626
 * Troubles which shall be before the restoration of Israel.
 (1-11) Encouragement to trust Divine promises. (12-17) The
 blessings under Christ, and the wrath on the wicked. (18-24)

 #1-11 Jeremiah is to write what God had spoken to him. The very
 words are such as the Holy Ghost teaches. These are the words
 God ordered to be written; and promises written by his order,
 are truly his word. He must write a description of the trouble
 the people were now in, and were likely to be in. A happy end
 should be put to these calamities. Though the afflictions of the
 church may last long, they shall not last always. The Jews shall
 be restored again. They shall obey, or hearken to the Messiah,
 the Christ, the Son of David, their King. The deliverance of the
 Jews from Babylon, is pointed out in the prophecy, but the
 restoration and happy state of Israel and Judah, when converted
 to Christ their King, are foretold; also the miseries of the
 nations before the coming of Christ. All men must honour the Son
 as they honour the Father, and come into the service and worship
 of God by him. Our gracious Lord pardons the sins of the
 believer, and breaks off the yoke of sin and Satan, that he may
 serve God without fear, in righteousness and true holiness
 before him all the remainder of his days, as the redeemed
 subject of Christ our King.

27637
 #12-17 When God is against a people, who will be for them? Who
 can be for them, so as to do them any kindness? Incurable griefs
 are owing to incurable lusts. Yet, though the captives suffered
 justly, and could not help themselves, the Lord intended to
 appear for them, and to punish their oppressors; and he will
 still do so. But every effort to heal ourselves must prove
 fruitless, so long as we neglect the heavenly Advocate and
 sanctifying Spirit. The dealings of His grace with every true
 convert, and every returning backslider, are the same in effect
 as his proceedings to the Jews.

27643
 #18-24 We have here further intimations of the favour of God for
 them after the days of their calamity have expired. The proper
 work and office of Christ, as Mediator, is to draw near unto
 God, for us, as the High Priest of our profession. His own
 undertaking, in compliance with his Father's will, and in
 compassion to fallen man, engaged him. Jesus Christ was, in all
 this, truly wonderful. They shall be taken again into covenant
 with the Lord, according to the covenant made with their
 fathers. "I will be your God:" it is his good-will to us, which
 is the summary of that part of the covenant. The wrath of God
 against the wicked is very terrible, like a whirlwind. The
 purposes of his wrath, as well as the purposes of his love, will
 all be fulfilled. God will comfort all that turn to him; but
 those who approach him must have their hearts engaged to do it
 with reverence, devotion, and faith. How will they escape who
 neglect so great salvation?