A remarkable proof of this we have in the passage before us. The Jews were continually provoking God to jealousy, by depending on alliances with hea- thens, and worshipping their idols. God, ever slow to anger, and delighting in mercy, used all possible methods to reclaim them. He had tried what kind- ness would effect, and had found no success. He now determined to take the rod; and sent them word by the prophet, that he would punish them for their offences ; but that the end of their punishment should be to reduce them to a happier and better state : " Therefore," says he, (because you are so bent to follow your own evil ways) " behold, I will hedge up," &c.
In these words we see,
I. What means God uses to reclaim his people —
Though God could effect his purposes instantly, by a mere act of his will, yet he is pleased in general to accomplish them by means suited to the end. In reclaiming his people,
1. He obstructs their ways —
[In their unregenerate state they run on, like others, in the ways of sin. But when his time is come, he instructs them either by temporal calamities or by spiritual convictions.
In the common course of events he deprives them of health, fortune, friends ; or perhaps by their own imprudence brings disorders or distress upon them.
These trials, however, of themselves have only a momentary effect ; and therefore he accompanies them with the secret energy of his Spirit, convincing them of their guilt and danger, and making them tremble through fear of his eternal judg- ments. He " meets them as an armed man," so that they dare no longer to " rush on upon the thick bosses of his buckler."
Thus he " hedges up their way with thorns," and makes their progress in sin very difficult and painful.]
2. He disappoints their endeavours —
[God saw the Jews bent on forming alliances with Egypt and Assyria notwithstanding all his warnings to renounce them. He therefore sent them into captivity in Babylon, where they could have no communications with Egypt or Assyria ; and thus " built up a wall, that they could not find their former lovers."