_Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, Thou that leadest Joseph like a flock._ THE ALMIGHTY IN RELATION TO ERRING MAN I. As a shepherd (Psalms 80:1). 1. His flock indicated. “Joseph” may stand for all Israel, and Israel as an illustration of the moral condition of men everywhere. (1) Rebellious. (2)... [ Continue Reading ]
_Before Ephraim and Benjamin and Manasseh stir up Thy strength, and come and save us._ For understanding of this verse we must remember that, when the ark of the covenant rested, or marched, in the wilderness, these three tribes were in the rearward of the host of Israel, or on the west side thereof... [ Continue Reading ]
_O Lord God of hosts, how long wilt thou be angry against the prayer of Thy people?_ GOD’S ANGER The Lord God of hosts is not properly a title of creation, but of providence. All creatures have their existence from God as their Maker; but so have they also their order from Him as their Governor. S... [ Continue Reading ]
_The boar out of the wood doth waste it, and the wild beast of the field doth devour it._ PEOPLE TO BE FEARED By this homely but expressive figure, the text sets forth the bad influences which in olden time broke in upon God’s heritage, as with swine’s foot trampling, and as with swine’s snout upr... [ Continue Reading ]
_Let Thy hand be upon the man of Thy right hand._ CHRIST MADE STRONG FOR GOD Of Jesus only can it be unreservedly said, that He is the man of God’s right hand, and that He hath made Him strong for Himself. Of all the terms in the passage, we may indeed say that they are peculiarly emphatic, and em... [ Continue Reading ]
_So will not we go back from Thee._ APOSTASY FROM GOD I. Wherein lies the true nature of apostasy from God. 1. Every failure and defect in the exercise of grace is not to be reckoned as an apostasy. The soul may faint and flag in the pursuit of God, and yet not be carried off so far as to steer a... [ Continue Reading ]
_Turn us again, O Lord God of hosts, cause Thy face to shine; and we shall be saved._ DIVINE GREATNESS AND DIVINE GRACIOUSNESS I. Divine greatness, “Lord God of hosts.” What hosts are under Him? All the tribes of irrational life on this earth, all classes of men, all the stars of heaven, all the m... [ Continue Reading ]