we are his children11. God appeals, as it were, to our con- trition, in proof that we are his.]
He further expresses his compassionate regard for him —
[The eludings and rebukes of God are all in love1. But the afflicted penitent is apt to complain with Zion of oldk — God however never feels for us more than when he hides his face from us. Like a tender parent, he longs to renew to us the tokens of his love1. The contrite soul may apply to itself those gracious declarations111 — ]
He promises to manifest his' mercy towards him —
[God never will despise the broken in heart11. No past sins, however heinous, shall be remembered against them0. For such God has prepared a glorious inheritance in heaven".]
He grants to him all that he himself could possibly desire —
[What more could the penitent ask of God than an assurance of his adoption into God's family, a declaration of God's love towards him, and a promise that he shall find mercy at the last day ? Yet these are all expressed in God's reflec- tions over Ephraim. What inexpressible comfort should this administer to drooping penitents !]
Application —
[Can God testify of us as of Ephraim in the text?
If he cannot, we must expect shame, confusion, and agony at the last dayq. If he can, we are assured of happiness both in this world and the next1.]
h The force of these positive interrogations is the same as if they
had been expressed negatively : they import a strong affirmation : see 1 Sam. ii. 27, 28.
1 Heb. xii. 6. k Isai. xlix. 14. ! Isai. xlix. 15, 16.
m Isai. liv. 7, 8. n Ps. h. 17. ° Isai. i. 18.
p Matt. xxv. 34. i Dan. xii. 2. and Matt. xiii. 49, 50.
r Ps. exxvi. 5, 6.