Bible Heaven/Bible Heaven.iso/online/mhcc30/v30550

Text File | 1994-03-02 | 8KB | 154 lines

30554
 * The sins and desolations of Israel. (1-5) Their evil
 practices. (6-11) A promise of restoration. (12,13)

 #1-5 Woe to the people that devise evil during the night, and
 rise early to carry it into execution! It is bad to do mischief
 on a sudden thought, much worse to do it with design and
 forethought. It is of great moment to improve and employ hours
 of retirement and solitude in a proper manner. If covetousness
 reigns in the heart, compassion is banished; and when the heart
 is thus engaged, violence and fraud commonly occupy the hands.
 The most haughty and secure in prosperity, are commonly most
 ready to despair in adversity. Woe to those from whom God turns
 away! Those are the sorest calamities which cut us off from the
 congregation of the Lord, or cut us short in the enjoyment of
 its privileges.

30559
 #6-11 Since they say, "Prophesy not," God will take them at
 their word, and their sin shall be their punishment. Let the
 physician no longer attend the patient that will not be healed.
 Those are enemies, not only to God, but to their country, who
 silence good ministers, and stop the means of grace. What bonds
 will hold those who have no reverence for God's word? Sinners
 cannot expect to rest in a land they have polluted. You shall
 not only be obliged to depart out of this land, but it shall
 destroy you. Apply this to our state in this present world.
 There is corruption in the world through lust, and we should
 keep at a distance from it. It is not our rest: it was designed
 for our passage, but not for our portion; our inn, but not our
 home; here we have no continuing city; let us therefore arise
 and depart, let us seek a continuing city above. Since they will
 be deceived, let them be deceived. Teachers who recommend
 self-indulgence by their doctrine and example, best suit such
 sinners.

30565
 #12,13 These verses may refer to the captivity of Israel and
 Judah. But the passage is also a prophecy of the conversion of
 the Jews to Christ. The Lord would not only bring them from
 captivity, and multiply them, but the Lord Jesus would open
 their way to God, by taking upon him the nature of man, and by
 the work of his Spirit in their hearts, breaking the fetters of
 Satan. Thus he has gone before, and the people follow, breaking,
 in his strength, through the enemies that would stop their way
 to heaven.
30567
 * The cruelty of the princes, and the falsehood of the prophets.
 (1-8) Their false security. (9-12)

 #1-8 Men cannot expect to do ill, and fare well; but to find
 that done to them which they did to others. How seldom do
 wholesome truths reach the ears of those in high stations or in
 authority! Those who deceive others are preparing confusion for
 their own faces. The prophet had ardent love to God and to the
 souls of men; deep concern for his glory and their salvation,
 and zeal against sin. The difficulties he met with did not drive
 him from his work. He had this strength; not from and of
 himself, but he was full of power by the Spirit of the Lord.
 Those who act honestly, may act boldly. And those who come to
 hear the word of God, must be willing to be told of their
 faults, must take it kindly, and be thankful.

30575
 #9-12 Zion's walls owe no thanks to those that build them up
 with blood and iniquity. The sin of man works not the
 righteousness of God. Even when men do that which in itself is
 good, but do it for filthy lucre, it becomes abomination both to
 God and man. Faith rests in the Lord as the soul's foundation:
 presumption only leans upon the Lord as a prop, and would use
 him to serve a turn. If men's having the Lord among them will
 not keep them from doing evil, it never can secure them from
 suffering evil for so doing. See the doom of wicked Jacob;
 Therefore shall Zion for your sake be ploughed as a field. This
 was exactly fulfilled at the destruction of Jerusalem by the
 Romans, and is so at this day. If sacred places are polluted by
 sin, they will be wasted and ruined by the judgments of God.
30579
 * The peace of the kingdom of Christ. (1-8) The judgments to
 come upon Jerusalem, but the final triumph of Israel. (9-13)

 #1-8 The nations have not yet so submitted to the Prince of
 Peace, as to beat their swords into ploughshares, nor has war
 ceased. But very precious promises these are, relating to the
 gospel church, which will be more and more fulfilled, for He is
 faithful that has promised. There shall be a glorious church for
 God set up in the world, in the last days, in the days of the
 Messiah. Christ himself will build it upon a rock. The Gentiles
 worshipped their idol gods; but in the period spoken of, the
 people will cleave to the Lord with full purpose of heart, and
 delight in doing his will. The word "halteth," describes those
 who walk not according to the Divine word. The collecting the
 captives from Babylon was an earnest of healing, purifying, and
 prospering the church; and the reign of Christ shall continue
 till succeeded by the everlasting kingdom of heaven. Let us stir
 up each other to attend the ordinances of God, that we may learn
 his holy ways, and walk in them, receiving the law from his
 hands, which, being written in our hearts by his Spirit, may
 show our interest in the Redeemer's righteousness.

30587
 #9-13 Many nations would assemble against Zion to rejoice in her
 calamities. They would not understand that the Lord had
 collected them as sheaves are gathered to be threshed; and that
 Zion would be strengthened to beat them to pieces. Nothing has
 yet taken place in the history of the Jewish church agreeing
 with this prediction. When God has conquering work for his
 people to do, he will furnish them with strength and ability for
 it. Believers should cry aloud under distresses, with the prayer
 of faith, not with despondency.
30592
 * The birth of Christ and conversion of the Gentiles. (1-6) The
 triumphs of Israel. (7-15)

 #1-6 Having showed how low the house of David would be brought,
 a prediction of the Messiah and his kingdom is added to
 encourage the faith of God's people. His existence from eternity
 as God, and his office as Mediator, are noticed. Here is
 foretold that Bethlehem should be his birthplace. Hence it was
 universally known among the Jews, #Mt 2:5|. Christ's government
 shall be very happy for his subjects; they shall be safe and
 easy. Under the shadow of protection from the Assyrians, is a
 promise of protection to the gospel church and all believers,
 from the designs and attempts of the powers of darkness. Christ
 is our Peace as a Priest, making atonement for sin, and
 reconciling us to God; and he is our Peace as a King, conquering
 our enemies: hence our souls may dwell at ease in him. Christ
 will find instruments to protect and deliver. Those that
 threaten ruin to the church of God, soon bring ruin on
 themselves. This may include the past powerful effects of the
 preached gospel, its future spread, and the ruin of all
 antichristian powers. This is, perhaps, the most important
 single prophecy in the Old Testament: it respects the personal
 character of the Messiah, and the discoveries of himself to the
 world. It distinguishes his human birth from his existing from
 eternity; it foretells the rejection of the Israelites and Jews
 for a season, their final restoration, and the universal peace
 to prevail through the whole earth in the latter days. In the
 mean time let us trust our Shepherd's care and power. If he
 permits the assault of our enemies, he will supply helpers and
 assistance for us.

30598
 #7-15 The remnant of Israel, converted to Christ in the
 primitive times, were among many nations as the drops of dew,
 and were made instruments in calling a large increase of
 spiritual worshippers. But to those who neglected or opposed
 this salvation, they would, as lions, cause terror, their
 doctrine condemning them. The Lord also declares that he would
 cause not only the reformation of the Jews, but the purification
 of the Christian church. In like manner shall we be assured of
 victory in our personal conflicts, as we simply depend upon the
 Lord our salvation, worship him, and serve him with diligence.