Bible Heaven/Bible Heaven.iso/online/mhcc27/v27650

Text File | 1994-03-02 | 6KB | 116 lines

27650
 * The restoration of Israel. (1-9) Promises of guidance and
 happiness; Rachel lamenting. (10-17) Ephraim laments his errors.
 (18-20) The promised Saviour. (21-26) God's care over the
 church. (27-34) Peace and prosperity in gospel time. (35-40)

 #1-9 God assures his people that he will again take them into
 covenant relation to himself. When brought very low, and
 difficulties appear, it is good to remember that it has been so
 with the church formerly. But it is hard under present frowns to
 take comfort from former smiles; yet it is the happiness of
 those who, through grace, are interested in the love of God,
 that it is an everlasting love, from everlasting in the
 counsels, to everlasting in the continuance. Those whom God
 loves with this love, he will draw to himself, by the influences
 of his Spirit upon their souls. When praising God for what he
 has done, we must call upon him for the favours his church needs
 and expects. When the Lord calls, we must not plead that we
 cannot come; for he that calls us, will help us, will strengthen
 us. The goodness of God shall lead them to repentance. And they
 shall weep for sin with more bitterness, and more tenderness,
 when delivered out of their captivity, than when groaning under
 it. If we take God for our Father, and join the church of the
 first-born, we shall want nothing that is good for us. These
 predictions doubtless refer also to a future gathering of the
 Israelites from all quarters of the globe. And they figuratively
 describe the conversion of sinners to Christ, and the plain and
 safe way in which they are led.

27659
 #10-17 He that scattered Israel, knows where to find them. It is
 comfortable to observe the goodness of the Lord in the gifts of
 providence. But our souls are never valuable as gardens, unless
 watered with the dews of God's Spirit and grace. A precious
 promise follows, which will not have full accomplishment except
 in the heavenly Zion. Let them be satisfied of God's
 loving-kindness, and they will be satisfied with it, and desire
 no more to make them happy. Rachel is represented as rising from
 her grave, and refusing to be comforted, supposing her offspring
 rooted out. The murder of the children at Bethlehem, by Herod,
 #Mt 2:16-18|, in some degree fulfilled this prediction, but
 could not be its full meaning. If we have hope in the end,
 concerning an eternal inheritance, for ourselves and those
 belonging to us, all temporal afflictions may be borne, and will
 be for our good.

27667
 #18-20 Ephraim (the ten tribes) is weeping for sin. He is angry
 at himself for his sin, and folly, and frowardness. He finds he
 cannot, by his own power, keep himself close with God, much less
 bring himself back when he is revolted. Therefore he prays, Turn
 thou me, and I shall be turned. His will was bowed to the will
 of God. When the teaching of God's Spirit went with the
 corrections of his providence, then the work was done. This is
 our comfort in affliction, that the Lord thinks upon us. God has
 mercy in store, rich mercy, sure mercy, suitable mercy, for all
 who seek him in sincerity.

27670
 #21-26 The way from the bondage of sin to the liberty of God's
 children, is a high-way. It is plain, it is safe; yet none are
 likely to walk in it, unless they set their hearts towards it.
 They are encouraged by the promise of a new, unheard-of,
 extraordinary thing; a creation, a work of Almighty power; the
 human nature of Christ, formed and prepared by the power of the
 Holy Ghost: and this is here mentioned as an encouragement to
 the Jews to return to their own land. And a comfortable prospect
 is given them of a happy settlement there. Godliness and honesty
 God has joined: let no man think to put them asunder, or to make
 the one atone for the want of the other. In the love and favour
 of God the weary soul shall find rest, and the sorrowful shall
 find joy. And what can we see with more satisfaction than the
 good of Jerusalem, and peace upon Israel?

27676
 #27-34 The people of God shall become numerous and prosperous.
 In #Heb 8:8,9|, this place is quoted as the sum of the covenant
 of grace made with believers in Jesus Christ. Not, I will give
 them a new law; for Christ came not to destroy the law, but to
 fulfil it; but the law shall be written in their hearts by the
 finger of the Spirit, as formerly written in the tables of
 stone. The Lord will, by his grace, make his people willing
 people in the day of his power. All shall know the Lord; all
 shall be welcome to the knowledge of God, and shall have the
 means of that knowledge. There shall be an outpouring of the
 Holy Spirit, at the time the gospel is published. No man shall
 finally perish, but for his own sins; none, who is willing to
 accept of Christ's salvation.

27684
 #35-40 As surely as the heavenly bodies will continue their
 settled course, according to the will of their Creator, to the
 end of time, and as the raging sea obeys him, so surely will the
 Jews be continued a separate people. Words can scarcely set
 forth more strongly the restoration of Israel. The rebuilding of
 Jerusalem, and its enlargement and establishment, shall be an
 earnest of the great things God will do for the gospel church.
 The personal happiness of every true believer, as well as the
 future restoration of Israel, is secured by promise, covenant,
 and oath. This Divine love passes knowledge; and to those who
 take hold upon it, every present mercy is an earnest of
 salvation.
27690
 * Jeremiah buys a field. (1-15) The prophet's prayer. (16-25)
 God declares that he will give up his people, but promises to
 restore them. (26-44)

 #1-15 Jeremiah, being in prison for his prophecy, purchased a
 piece of ground. This was to signify, that though Jerusalem was
 besieged, and the whole country likely to be laid waste, yet the
 time would come, when houses, and fields, and vineyards, should
 be again possessed. It concerns ministers to make it appear that
 they believe what they preach to others. And it is good to
 manage even our worldly affairs in faith; to do common business
 with reference to the providence and promise of God.