k Isai. xl. 27, 28. > Isai. 1. 2, 3. m 1 Tim. i. 16.
151.1 god's word sure. 39
captives who were restored to Judea from Babylon, it was said, " that if they would continue there, and be obedient to the king of Babylon, they should be preserved in peace and safety : but that if, through fear of the king of Babylon, they should flee to Egypt for safety, they should all perish"." And, when they would not be persuaded to remain there, but would go to sojourn in Egypt, the Lord sent this word to them : " All the remnant of Judah that are gone into the land of Egypt to sojourn there, shall know whose word shall stand, theirs or mine0."
But, that we may depart as little as possible from our text, let us see the event of the prediction before us. God sent a wind ; and brought such a number of quails, that they fell round about the tents of Israel, and filled the whole country for the space of one hundred and twenty miles in circuit, above a yard deep : so that the whole people occupied about six-and- thirty hours in collecting them ; every one, even of those who gathered the least, collecting as much as eighty bushels for his own usep. Now it was seen "whether God could fulfil his word or not." It was seen, too, whether they had reason to repent of their inordinate desires or not : for " while the flesh was yet in their mouths, ere it was chewed, the wrath of the Lord was kindled against the people, and smote them with a very great plague q."
The truth is, that " it is easier for heaven and earth to pass away, than for one jot or tittle of God's word to failr." " He cannot lies:" "he cannot deny himself*." He could as soon cease to exist, as he could falsify his word in any one particular. And, if we could only bear this in remembrance, we should never give way to unbelief, or doubt the accomplishment of any thing which the Lord God hath spoken.]
Address —
1. Those who doubt the fulfilment of God's pro- mises—
[Who amongst us is not conscious of great defects in this particular ? Who, in trying circumstances, has not found it difficult to cast all his care on God, as caring for him ; and has not rather been ready to say with David, " I shall one day perish by the hands of Saul?" Who, whilst he has professed to call God his Father, has been able habitually to walk before him with the same confidence that a child places hi his earthly father ? Yet this is our duty : and it is a shame to us that we find the performance of it so difficult. But let us remember what a God we have to do with ; how " merciful and gracious ;
« Jer. xliv. 12,-14. ° Jer. xliv. 26—28.
p ver. 31, 32. i ver. 33. with Ps. lxxviii. 26 — 31.
r Luke xvi. 17. s Tit. i. 2. <2 Tim. ii. 13.