_Bel boweth down_ BEL AND NEBO Bel and Nebo are the Jupiter and Mercury of the Babylonian pantheon (they are represented by these planets), and were the supreme deities in Babylon at this time. Bel (_Bilu_) is the Babylonian form of the Hebrew _Ba’al _(= lord), and like that word is a generic name... [ Continue Reading ]
_And even to your old age I am He_ THE BEST SUPPORT IN FRAILTY Nothing can exhibit the character of God in a more amiable point of view, than the representations which the Scriptures give us of His conduct to youth and age. Youth is ardent, thoughtless, and presumptuous. But to them God says, Wil... [ Continue Reading ]
_To whom will ye liken Me?_ IDOLS CANNOT REPRESENT GOD The Jews might have alleged that they served not the false gods of the Gentiles, but the God of Israel; and that they used images when they worshipped Him only that they might have before their eyes, like other nations, some beautiful object.... [ Continue Reading ]
_Remember the former things of old_ THE PURPOSES OF GOD I. When we come to look at THE PURPOSES OF GOD, we must not be misled by words. The word “purpose,” with us, supposes several things, which have nothing to do with the same term when applied to God. There is, with God, no ignorance previously... [ Continue Reading ]
_Declaring the end from the beginning_ GOD AS A WORKER God is not a passive existent, resting idly in immensity. He is essentially, incessantly, everlastingly active. He “fainteth not, neither is weary.” He has done wonderful things, and He will do wonders more. The text suggests four things in r... [ Continue Reading ]
_Hearken unto Me, ye stout-hearted_ GOD’S VOICE TO SINNERS I. A WRETCHED CONDITION. 1. Insensibility to the good. “Stout-hearted.” The word “stout-hearted” does not mean courageous, intrepid, morally brave; it means hardness, obduracy, spiritual stubbornness. It represents a soul dead to all that... [ Continue Reading ]
_I bring near My righteousness_ JUSTIFYING RIGHTEOUSNESS BROUGHT NEAR It appears from a comparison of many texts of Scripture, that when the word “righteousness” is connected, as in this passage, with “salvation,” it does not mean the Divine attribute of justice or rectitude, but the work of right... [ Continue Reading ]