_That the fire may devour thy cedars, etc._ THE FALLEN CEDAR In this chapter there is an announcement of the judgment that was to come on the Jewish State and nation because of their ungodliness, and especially their contemptuous rejection of Him whom God sent to be their shepherd. The prophecy her... [ Continue Reading ]
_For their glory is spoiled _ BAD MEN IN HIGH OFFICE I. The men here reffered to called “shepherds,” which is a designation of men in power, men who politically and ecclesiastically presided over the people, the leaders. The “shepherds” have sometimes reached their positrons irrespective of the wi... [ Continue Reading ]
_Feed the flock of the slaughter _ OPPRESSED PEOPLE AND THEIR OPRESSORS I. A duty enjoined towards oppressed peoples. “Feed the flock (sheep) of the slaughter.” These shepherds, these rulers of the Hebrew people, “slaughtered” the people. Their rights, energies, liberties and independency are “sla... [ Continue Reading ]
_I will no more pity the inhabitants of the land _ A TERRIBLE DOOM, AND AN INVALUABLE PRIVILEGE I. A terrible doom. “For I will no more pity the inhabitants of the land.” What is the doom? The abandonment of God. 1. This abandonment came after great kindness. For long centuries He had manifested... [ Continue Reading ]
_My soul lothed them, and their soul also abhorred Me _ A MUTUAL DISLIKE BETWEEN GOD AND MAN I. This mutual moral antagonism is manifestly abnormal. It is not conceivable that the all-wise and all-loving Maker of the universe would create beings whom He would loathe and who would abhor Him. Such a... [ Continue Reading ]
_So they weighed for my price thirty pieces of silver _ THE GOODLY PRICE OF JESUS Satan’s dealings with the human family may be truthfully described as one gigantic system of bribery and corruption. He has bribes of all sorts, and of different kinds and characters, and he knows how to apply them.... [ Continue Reading ]
_Take unto thee yet the instruments of a foolish shepherd _ THE INSTRUMENTS OF A FOOLISH SHEPHERD The command addressed to the prophet was, “to take unto him yet the instruments of a foolish shepherd. ” “Yet” means “again,” “once more.” “Beauty” and “bands” were also instruments of a foolish sheph... [ Continue Reading ]