_I remember thee, the kindness of thy youth._ YOUTHFUL RELIGION I. The rich and glowing description of youthful piety here given. 1. Ardent affection. 2. Union of the soul to Christ. 3. A going after God. 4. Not discouraged by difficulties and troubles. 5. A religion of holiness. II. The asp... [ Continue Reading ]
_What iniquity have your fathers found in Me._ THE EVIL NATURE OF SIN COMMITTED AFTER CONVERSION I. Violation of solemn vows and covenant engagements. At that time we took Christ’s cause for our cause, His people for ours, His will for our law, His glory for our end, and Himself for our portion. D... [ Continue Reading ]
_Hath a nation changed their gods, which are yet no gods?_ CHRISTIAN CONTROVERSY The text may be put into other words, thus: “Go over to the islands of the Chittim, the isles and coast lands of the far west; then go to Kedar, away in the eastern desert,--go from east to west,--and ask if any heathe... [ Continue Reading ]
_My people have committed two evils._ TWO ASTOUNDING EVILS I. The force of human freedom. Mightiest rivers cannot break from their source, nor greatest planets from their centre, but man can from centre and fountain of his being. 1. This freedom is a matter of personal consciousness. 2. It inves... [ Continue Reading ]
_Is Israel a servant?_ is he a home-born slave? why is he spoiled? ISRAEL A HOME-BORN SLAVE Is this a contemptuous inquiry?--Israel a servant, Israel a home-born slave. Is there not scorn underlying the interrogation, as who should say, Thou art a worm, a thing to be crushed by the foot, or a serv... [ Continue Reading ]
_The young lions roared upon him, and yelled._ DANGERS OUTSIDE THE DIVINE BOUNDS That comes of going from home, leaving sacred discipline, taking life into one’s own hand, assuming the mastership of one’s own fortune and destiny. Woe betide the man who goes beyond the bounds which God has fixed! Im... [ Continue Reading ]
_What hast thou to do in the way of Egypt._ WORDS OF EXPOSTULATION I. Addressing myself to the Christian, I shall use the text in three senses, while I expostulate with you in regard to sin, to worldly pleasure, and to carnal trust. 1. O true believer, called by grace and washed in the precious bl... [ Continue Reading ]
_Thine own wickedness shall correct thee._ SIN ITS OWN PUNISHMENT I. In the dealings of God with good men. 1. Neglect secret devotion, and God will refuse His blessing on other means of grace. 2. Indulge secret sin, and God will bring that sin into open light and condemnation. 3. Idolise create... [ Continue Reading ]
_How then art thou turned into the degenerate plant._ SPIRITUAL DETERIORATION A mysterious action is this of spiritual deterioration. It does not set in with obvious energy all at once, so that in one short week a man ceases to be a healthy and fruit-bearing vine; but little by little he goes down,... [ Continue Reading ]
_Though thou wash thee with nitre._ NO SELF-EXPIATION One of the shortest, but most pregnant, words in our language is sin. And yet it is one of those words least understood. The whole system of the Gospel rests on the fact of sin, and on the dreadful evil of sin, and on the inexpiable character of... [ Continue Reading ]
_How canst thou say, I am not polluted._ SELF-VINDICATING SINNERS REPROVED I. The self-vindicating ways of sinners. 1. Direct denial (Genesis 4:9). 2. Vain excuse (1 Samuel 15:13). 3. Hypocritical palliation (Genesis 3:11). II. God substantiates His charge against His offending people. 1. By... [ Continue Reading ]
_Have I been a wilderness unto Israel?_ DIVINE QUESTIONS The people were required to answer two questions: “Have I been a wilderness unto Israel? have I been a land of darkness unto Israel?” Speak out. If you have an impeachment to bring even against God, do not fear to bring it. He asks for it. A... [ Continue Reading ]
_Can a maid forget her ornaments, or a bride her attire?_ yet My people have forgotten Me. THE BRIDE AND HER ORNAMENTS: THE SIN OF FORGETTING GOD It is a clear proof of the great love of God to His people that He will not lose their love without earnest expostulation. He loves us too well to suff... [ Continue Reading ]
_Thou sayest, I have not sinned._ OBSTINATE IMPENITENCE 1. Blind to its own guilt. 2. Blasphemes God by accusing Him of unjust anger. 3. Will not escape just punishment. (_Naegelsbach._) DENIAL OF GUILT At one of our seaside resorts, a cab proprietor was fined £10 and costs for not having licen... [ Continue Reading ]
_Why gaddest thou about so much to change thy way?_ LIVING TO PURPOSE I. The importance of having an object in life. There is a vast difference between the state of a man when running a race, and when sauntering about to kill time. There is an equal difference between the men who pass through this... [ Continue Reading ]
_The Lord hath rejected thy confidences, and thou shalt not prosper in them._ THE DANGER OF FALSE CONFIDENCES In the state and conduct of Judah we have a picture of the state and conduct of the world, in religious matters, at the present day; and as that nation, by their distrust of God and want o... [ Continue Reading ]