Ps. cvi. 21 — 23. They f org at God their Saviour, which had done great things in Egypt ; wondrous works in the land of Ham, and terrible things by the Red Sea. Therefore he said that he would destroy them, had not Moses his chosen stood before him in the breach, to turn away his wrath, lest he should destroy them.
THERE is scarcely any sin more strongly repro- bated in the Scripture than ingratitude. In the catalogue which the Apostle gives us of the crimes committed by the heathen world, unthankfulness to God is particularly specified as one of the most heinous and inexcusable a. And the judgments de- nounced against one of the most eminent saints for a single instance of it, indisputably prove, how hateful it must be in the sight of Godb. In improving the instance recorded in the text, we shall,
I. Consider the history referred to —
[The history to which our text alludes is so well known, as not to need many words either to record or explain it. There were mercies vouchsafed to the Israelites in Egypt, such as never had been experienced before from the foundation of
the world But they presently forgat their almighty
Deliverer, and worshipped a golden calf in his stead. This justly excited the indignation of God, and determined him to destroy them. But Moses, having already fasted forty days and nights, fell down before God, and, during forty more days and nights, neither ate nor drank, but interceded on behalf of this rebellious people. God in answer to his intercession averted the stroke, and forbore to punish them according to their deserts0.]
II. Apply it to existing circumstances —
[We need not recall to your minds what great things God has lately done for us also in Egypt d. Except in the history of the Jewish nation, there is scarcely any victory recorded in the annals of the world that was more glorious or complete than that vouchsafed to us. Yet how have we requited the Lord? At first, like the Jews, we were willing to give God the glory, and to sing his praise : but has not the impression worn off? and have we not shamefully " forgotten our Bene- factor?" — Well might God's anger wax hot against us,
to consume us for such ingratitude Nor can we ascribe
it to any thing but the intercessions of God's people that his wrath has not burst forth against us, as against Korah and his company, to destroy us utterly.]
III. Deduce from it some suitable observations — Observe,
1. The duty of secret intercession — [We are commanded to pray for all men, and especially
a Rom. i. 21. b2 Chron. xxxii. 25. c Exod. xxxii. 8 — 14. d This -was the first fast-day after Lord Nelson's victory near the Nile, 1800.