the words of Ehud to Eglon, " I have a message from God to theeV]
But the resemblance between the word and the rain is yet more strongly marked,
II. In their operation —
The "rain and snow" are the means of rendering
the earth fruitful —
[If the earth be only a few months without rain, the most calamitous consequences ensue g: but if the parched and thirsty earth be visited with rain or snow, its vegetative powers are revived, and it yields an abundance of food for man and beast h ; yea, there is a sufficiency not only for the present consumption, but for " sowing," in order to a future crop.]
The word of God also is instrumental to the fruc- tifying of the souls of men —
[God has many gracious ends to "accomplish" by his word : sometimes he sends it to quicken the dead ; and then even " the bones that are dry, very dry," are made to live1. Sometimes he sends it to comfort the afflicted ; and then it proves as balm to the wounded spirit, nor can the most dis- tressed mind withstand its energyk. Sometimes he sends it to sanctify the polluted ; and then the most inveterate lusts give way, and his people are transformed into his image1. Finally, by its various operations he determines to save the lost ; and behold, it stops not short of his purpose : it " prospers in the thing whereto he has sent it," and becomes " the power of God unto salvation to every one that believe thm."
An easterly wind may counteract the benefits which would accrue from the rain ; but not all the powers of hell shall be able to defeat the purposes of God, in sending his word : " it never returns unto him void :" weak as it seems to be when delivered by sinful man, it yet is " sharper than any two- edged sword";" it "casts down every thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of Christ, and brings into obedience to him" the heart that would resist its power0.]
Let us learn then from this beautiful comparison,
f Judg. iii. 20. * See Jer. xiv. 2—6. h Ps. lxv. 9—13.
* Ezek. xxxvii, 1 — 10. Ps. cxix. 50. Jam. i. 18. k Ps. cvii. 8 — 20. Deut. xxxii. 2. 1 John xv. 3. and xvii. 17. Eph. v. 26. m Rom. i. 1G. 1 Cor. i. 21. » Heb. iv. 12.
0 2 Cor. x. 4, 5.