VER. 10-12, | EPISTLE TO THE HEBREWS. 155
2. The nature of this covenant relation is expressed on the one side and the other: “I will be unto them a God, and they shall be to me a people :”—
(1.) On the part of God it is, “I will be unto them a God ;” or, as it is elsewhere expressed, “I will be their God.” And we must make a little inquiry into this unspeak- able privilege, which eternity only will fully unfold :—
[1.] The person speaking is included in the verb, xa/ zoowou, “1 will be;” ‘I, Jehovah, who make this promise. And herein God proposeth unto our faith all the glorious properties of his nature: ‘I, who am that I am, Jehovah,—goodness and being itself, and the cause of all being and goodness to others ; infinitely wise, powerful, righteous, ete. I,that am all this, and in all that I am will be so,’ Here lies the eternal spring of the infinite treasures of the supplies of the church, here and for ever. Whatever God is in himself, what- ever these properties of his nature extend to, in it all God hath promised to be our God: Gen. xvii. 1, “I am God Almighty; walk before me.” Hence, to give establishment and security to our faith, he hath in his word revealed himself by so many names, titles, pro- perties, and that so frequently ;—it is that we may know him who is our God, what he is, and what he will be unto us) And the knowledge of him, as so revealing himself, is that which secures our confidence, faith, hope, fear, and trust. “The LorD will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble; and they that know thy name will put their trust in thee,” Ps. ix. 9, 10.
[2.] What he promiseth is, that “he will be a God unto us.” Now, although this compriseth absolutely every thing that is good, yet may the notion of being a God unto any be referred unto two general heads: 1sé. An all-sufficient preserver; and, 2dly. An all- sufficient rewarder: so himself declares the meaning of this expres- sion, Gen. xvii. 1, xv. 1. ‘I will be all this unto them that I am a, God unto in the way of preservation and recompence,’ Heb. xi. 6.
[3.] The declared rule and measure of God’s actings towards us as our God, are the promises of the covenant, both of mercy, grace, par- don, holiness, perseverance, protection, success, and spiritual victory in this world, and of eternal glory in the world to come. In and by all these things will he, in all that he is in himself, be a God unto those whom he takes into this covenant.
[4.] It is included in this part of the promise, that they that take him to be their God, they shall say, “Thou art my God,” Hos. ii. 23; and carry it towards him according unto what infinite goodness, grace, mercy, power, and faithfulness, do require.
And we may observe,—
Obs. XII. As nothing less than God becoming our God could re- lieve, help, and save us, so nothing more can be required thereunto.
Kal Yoouus Nek oe , autos eis Oeov,
156 AN EXPOSITION OF THE [CHAP. VIIL
Obs. XIII. The efficacy, security, and glory of this covenant, depend originally on the nature of God, immediately and actually on the mediation of,Christ. It is the covenant that God makes with us in him as the surety thereof.
Obs. XIV. It is from the engagement of the properties of the divine nature that this covenant is kandoted in all things and sure.” Infinite wisdom hath provided it, and infinite power will make it effectual.
Obs. XV. As the grace of this covenant is inexpressible, so are the obligations it puts upon us unto obedience.
(2.) The relation of man unto God is expressed in these words,
Kel aie) | Aud they shall be unto me a people;” or, “They Yoovrai wo eis Shall be my people.” And two things are contained aa herein :—
[1.] God’s owning of them to be his ina peculiar manner, accord- ing to the tenor and promise of this covenant, and dealmg with them accordingly. Asbg repsodois, Tit. ii. 14,—“ A peculiar people.” Let others take heed how they meddle with them, lest they in- trench on God’s propriety, Jer. ii. 3.
[2.] There is included in it that which is essentially required unto their being his people, namely, the profession of all subjection or obedience unto him, and all dependence upon him. Wherefore this also belongs unto it, namely, their avouching this God to be their God, and their free engagement unto all that obedience which in the covenant he requireth. For although this expression, “ And they shall be unto me a people,” seems only to denote an act of God’s grace, assuming of them into that relation unto himself, yet it includes their avouching him to be their God, and their voluntary engagement of obedience unto him as their God. When he says, “Ye are my people;” they also say, “Thou art my God,” Hos. i. 23. Yet is it to be observed,—
Obs. XVI. That God doth as well undertake for our being his people as he doth for his being our God.—And the promises con- tained in this verse do principally aim at that end, namely, the making of us to be a people unto him.