HOMILETICS. Vel'I. 6-11.-National repentance may come too lau to avert national ruin. The crisis of a nation's fate is brought on by slow degrees, and results from a multitude of acts, each one of which, when once done, is past recall. Up to a certain point there is a possibility of retrieval. "Tout peut se r~tablir," as a great monarch of our own time s&id. The modes of action that have brought the state into difficulties may be renounced, or even reversed; and recovery m&y set in as a natural consequence of such reversal. Or the change of conduct may have appeased God's anger, and his favour may raise up the nation which he has depressed, to mark his displeasure. Such was the case with united Israel during the period of the judges. Seven times was the nation for its sins " sold into the hand" of a foreign power, its independence suspended, its ruin all but accomplished; and seven times upon its repentance did God raise up a deliverer who restored it t.o vigorous life and re-established its prosperity. But this process cannot go on for ever. A. time comes when the sources of national vigour are sapped, when exhaus- tion has set in, when foreign neighbours h&ve become enormously powerful, and when it would require, not one miracle only, but a series of miracles, to save the state from the consequences of its long-continued misconduct. Then, although the remnant left may perceive its danger, and regret the past, and repent, and put away the evil of its doings, and even reverse its modes of action, turning to God (ver. 7) instead of turning away from him (ver. 10), and looking to the Holy One iustead of looking to idols and vanities, it may be too late to reverse the fiat the.t has long since gone forth, or to arrest the destruction decreed and determined on. The remnant may save their own souls, but they cannot save their country. The "day of grief and of desperate sorrow" comes on, whatever they may do; and the nation perishes in consequence of its past miadeeds, despite its tardy amendment. Ver. 10.-The Rock of 011,r strength. Irreligious men have many "rocks of strength,• or at any rate think that they have many, 1. " Some put their trust in chariots and in horses," believe in "big battalions" as really ruling the world, and think they have only to swell their armies in order to away the course of events at their pleasure. Tell them that "it is nothing with God to help, whether with many or with them that have no power" (2 Chron. xiv. 11); assure them that "it is no hard matter for many to be shut up in the hands of a. few, e.nd with the God of heaven it is all one to deliver with a. great multitude or a small company, for the victory of battle standeth not in the multitude of a host, but strength cometh from heaven" (1 Mace. iii. 18, 19); and they open their eyes wide with astonishment, and set down the speaker as e. dreamy fanatic. 2. Others regard wealth u a tower of strength, a" rock" that will never fe.il them. Three things a.lone are wanted to secure complete success in life, and these are "Money, money, money." 'l'heir highest idea of perfect safety and security is" the Bank ~f England." No qualms of fear assail them so long as they have a good bale.nee at their bankers. "Soul," they say to themselves," thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry" (Luke xii. 19). Tell t~om that riches make themselves wings, talk to them of failures, bankruptcies, revolu~1ons, and they will laugh you to scorn; theirs a.re safe, they are quite certain, and that lB enough for them. 3. A. third class" trust in prinC€s," or great men. They have a patron, e. protector, a "friend at court•" and all mlli't necessarily go well with them, Nay, OH, nu. 1-14.] THE BOOK OF THE PROPHET IBAIAR. 293
perhaps they have "two or three strings to their bow "-powerful friends belonging t.o both parties; how, then, is it possible that they should not be secure? Christian men have, on the other hand, but one "Rock of strength," but one Trust, but one Stay, and that is God. God is their "Rock"- L As BEING FIRM A.ND DIMOVABLL All else is shifting and changing. Men die, even thou~h they be princes or prime ministers. Armies melt away, suffer defeat, mutiny. Wealth becomes the prey of the spoiler, is lost through fraud, or taken away by violence. God always remains the same-firm, solid, substantial; something on which we C8ll count, something that will not disappear, that will not change, that we can rely upon as a sure foundation. II. As BEING A STRONGHOLD AND DEFENCE. 'l'be Israelites looked to their fortified cities to protect them (ver. 9). The Christian looks to God. God's strength is such that nothing can prevail against it. He is an absolutely sure Defence, able to sa.ve men "to the uttermost." No one that has relied wholly and solely upon God, has ever found his reliance misplaced or bis defence fail him. If we make God our Refuge, we place ourselves in an impregnable citadel. He is omnipotent, and therefore ever able to save; he is faithful, and therefore ever willing to save. !II. All BEING A SHADOW FROM THE HEAT, A SHELTER FROM THE TEMPEST. God not only protects but consoles, not only saves but comforts. He is " the Shadow of a great Rock in a weary land." When dangers threaten, when calamities come, when we are drooping beneath the noonday heat, or chilled by the pitiless storm, we can rest on him, and he will cheer us; we can make our appeal to him, and he will give us relief and refreshment. It is promised that, ultimately," God shall wipe away tears from all eyes" (Rev. xxi. 4). Already he does this to a large extent. Not only is be our Defence and Stay, but he is a "Rock" that "follows us" (1 Cor. x. 14) through the wilderness of human life, assuaging our griefs, taking away our sorrows, giving us shelter, comfort, satisfaction, peace, happiness. He is himself an ever-present Joy, possessing which, whatsoever happened to us, we should be content.