_But now thus saith the Lord that created thee, O Jacob_ THE TRUE RELATION OF ISRAEL TO JEHOVAH The main subject of this chapter is the true relation of Israel to Jehovah, and its application in the way both of warning and encouragement. The doctrine taught is that their segregation from the rest... [ Continue Reading ]
_When thou passest through the waters_ THROUGH WATER AND FIRE. I. Notice the frank and matter-of-course way in which your AFFLICTIONS AND TRIALS are mentioned. “The waters,” “the rivers,” “the fire,” “the flame”; it takes it for granted that you will meet with some or all of them before you have f... [ Continue Reading ]
_For I am the Lord thy God_ JEHOVAH’S VALUATION OF HIS PEOPLE I. THE LORD’S DECLARATION OF HIS OWN NAME. “I am Jehovah thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour.” He gives His name thus to distinguish Himself from false gods. He also sets forth His name at large, for the comfort of His people.... [ Continue Reading ]
_Since thou wast precious in My sight_ PRECIOUS, HONOURABLE, LOVED “Because thou art precious in My sight, art honourable, and I love thee”--three co-ordinate clauses. (_Prof. J. Skinner, D. D._) PRECIOUS I. PRECIOUS IN GOD’S SIGHT IS MAN. This is a new view of life--not man’s natural feeling.... [ Continue Reading ]
_I will bring thy seed from the east_ OBLIGATIONS OF CHRISTIANS TO LABOUR FOR THE CONVERSION OF THE JEWS This prophecy looks far beyond the deliverance of the Jews from their former captivity. It evidently points to that great and glorious deliverance which still awaits them. A deliverance that w... [ Continue Reading ]
_I will say to the north, Give up_ A DOUBLE CHALLENGE My intention is rather to utilise than to expound the text. I. The first counsel is--GIVE UP. 1. With some of you it is imperative that you give up your prejudices. So have you mis-estimated true religion, that you have been accustomed to den... [ Continue Reading ]
_I have created him for My glory_ THE GLORY OF GOD THE END OF MAN’S CREATION AND REDEMPTION What am I? For what purpose was I created? Am I answering the great end of my existence?--are questions which should be frequently proposed by every rational being. I. THE GREAT END OF JEHOVAH IN THE CREA... [ Continue Reading ]
_Ye are My witnesses--What is a witness?_ --One who testifies--who gives evidence, unfolds, clears up, makes plain, and helps men toright decisions in cases of disputed claims, or where personal integrity is assailed. There are cases on record where such men have been thanked in complimentary terms... [ Continue Reading ]
_I, even I, am the Lord_ ROYAL PROCLAMATION I. THE OBJECT OF OUR WORSHIP. The heavenly majesty asserted by Himself. “I am the Lord.” A self-existent Being, contrasted with idols--dwelling in His own eternity, independent, everlastingly immutable, the eternal Jehovah. Mark how this glorious self-exi... [ Continue Reading ]
_I will work, and who shall let it?_ SALVATION THROUGH JUDGMENT The words (Isaiah 43:13) intimate that the salvation foretold comes in the way of judgment. Jehovah will effectually intervene; and when He does this, who can turn it back, so that it shall not be done? (_F. Delitzsch, D. D._) A GREA... [ Continue Reading ]
_Behold, I will do a new thing_ THE FUTURE BETTER THAN THE PAST How dear to the heart of the Israelites was the remembrance of the nation’s deliverance from Egypt and their journey to the Land of Promise! To those great events the religious teachers of the people continually turned for illustratio... [ Continue Reading ]
_The beast of the field shall honour Me_ HOPE RESPECTING THE PROFANEST PERSONS I have sometimes laid hold of this text, and have been comforted by it concerning the conversion of the very worst of men. Some people say, “What is the good of going among blasphemers and profane persons with the Word... [ Continue Reading ]
_This people have I formed for Myself_ THE ALTERING OF GOD’S PURPOSE It is the burden of the Book of Deuteronomy that God chose the seed of Abraham to be a peculiar nation unto Himself above all peoples on the face of the earth. Those two words “people” and “inheritance” are perpetually linked to... [ Continue Reading ]
_But thou hast not called upon Me, O Jacob_ INSINCERITY IN RELIGION It is a common observation that there is very little sincerity in the world. We are now concerned with insincerity of a deeper and more serious character,--insincerity in religion. I propose to offer some remarks which may serve... [ Continue Reading ]
_Thou hast not brought Me the small cattle_ FAILURE IN RELIGIOUS DETAILS Failure in religious details may we not ask whether some emphasis may not be laid upon the designation “the small cattle”? Do not many men fail in religious details? They are emphatic in their stupendous word-creed, but they... [ Continue Reading ]
_Thou hast bought Me no sweet cane_ DIVINE REPROACH I. THE GROUND ON WHICH ISRAEL IS REPROACHED. Sweet cane, or calamus, is an aromatic reed which was an exotic in Palestine, and is chiefly to be found in India. The demand for sweet cane was great, because it formed an ingredient of the incense in... [ Continue Reading ]
_I, even I, am He that blotteth out thy transgressions_ PARDONING MERCY MADE RADIANT As in olden times jewellers were wont to set their most precious gems in casings of a very inferior nature--and that wisely, in order that the intrinsic lustre of the jewel might shine forth more brilliant from th... [ Continue Reading ]
_Put Me in remembrance_ “PUT ME IN REMEMBRANCE” I. TAKE SOME GENERAL NOTICE OF THE COMMAND HERE GIVEN. This command, “Put Me in remembrance,” by no means supposes that God is unmindful of any promise, or ignorant of any case. 1. It is His pleasure to see a sinner reduced so low as to have nothing... [ Continue Reading ]
_Thy first father hath sinned_ ISRAEL’S SIN Its history from the first is a tissue of sins. “Thy first father sinned, and thy mediators have fallen away from Me.” By the first father, Hitzig, Knobel, and others understand Adam; but Adam is the progenitor of mankind, not of Israel specially, and Ad... [ Continue Reading ]
_Therefore I have profaned the princes of the sanctuary_ HOLY PRINCES “Then I profaned holy princes, and gave up Jacob to the ban, and Israel to revilings. ” “Holy princes” are the hierarchs (1 Chronicles 24:5), the highest spiritual authorities in distinction from the secular. Their profanation... [ Continue Reading ]