The Pulpit Commentary — Jeremiah — Volume 1 — Section 73

acting doubffully in the blaze of public life. If such have occasion to turn, they must turn in public. Any one who stands well out before his fellows had need take care what he says and does, for ho knows not ,vhat may be the force of circumstances, what revolutions there may be in his convictions. How much nations have had to suffer- perhaps will have to suffer to the end of time-just because they are not careful of the beginnings of evil in their midst I Look at what it cost Americri to get ri<l of ncn-ro 0 slavery when once it had grown into a far-spreading and lucrative custom.-Y. Vers. 1-5.-Sin, Law, Gr~. We have here represented to us- I. SIN IN rrs :MOST AWFUL FORM. It was the sin of idolatry. This was especially grievous in the sight of God, since Israel was designed to give light to all other nations. 'l'hey were raised up for the very purpose that through them the lmowle<lue of God might flow forth to the whole world. '.l'he destinies of humanity depended o; them. Hence if the light that was in them were darkness, "how great," etc. I ']'heir corruption was the poisoning of the fountain, which would render deadly all its streams. Hence it is that this sin is so commonly represented in the prophetic writings under the images of harlotry and adultery-crimes which, when found in any belonging to him, tho Israelite would most fiercely resent. By the nature and measure of their own hatred for such outrages on the purity of their home life, would God have them understand somewhat of the nature and measure of his hatred of that idolatry into which as a nation they had fallen, and against which God's prophets were for ever uttering their earnest protest. And to aggravate their wickedness, they had been guilty thereof again and again (ver.1). 'They had become lost to all sense of shame in regard to it (vers. 2, 3). '.l'hey had not waited to be tempted and persuaded, but had gone after their sin, greedily, seeking it rather than it them (ver. 2). They had persisted until the land was polluted by their sin (ver. 3). They had become so hardened that God's corrections failed to produce any result save to make them more brazen-faced in their wickedness than before (ver. 3). And they had gone on to this degree of criminality that they dared to mock God with mere lip service (vers. 4, 5). "Ay, and from this time forward thou cricst to me, My Father, the Friend of my youth art thou. Will he always bear a grudge and keep it up for ever? Behold thou speakest thus an<l doest wickedness and carricst it out" (Keil's translation). Corruptio optimi pessima est. The sin of such as Israel- and we are such, raised up, qualified, designed to be the means of vast blessing to others, as is God's purpose with his Church,-is more aggravated and assumes forms more terrible than is possible to others. II. LAW IN ITS :MOST RIGHTEOUS UTTERANOE. (Ver. 1; cf. Dent. xxiv. 4.) "They say;" it was a well-known fact that the Law would not hear of the forgiveness and restora- tion of those who had sinned in the manner Israel bad. Such leniency would open the door wide to the most glaring iniquity. "Plato, Plato," said Socrates, "I do not see how God can forgive sin." Sin once committed becomes a fact. Facts have their necessary, immutable and eternal consequences, which only by a miracle can be set aside or escaped. (See sermon by Rev. T. Binney, on 'The Law our Schoolmaster,' etc.; also J. Cook, of Boston, Monday Lectures: 'The Atonement.') There is no gospel for the sinner anywhere outside the gospel. The Law, as here, binds the wrong-doer to the inevitable issues of his own wrong-doing. Forgiveness and restoration are simply impossible. But note- 111. GRACE IN ITS MOST MARVELLOUS MANIFESTATION. Ver. 1, "Yet return again to me, saith the Lord." 'l'here is doubt as to the meaning of this; some read it (see exegesis) as a question to which a negative answer is required. But the whole tone and intent of ihe chapter (ver. 12) uphold the gracious meaning which belongs to the words as they stand and which we therefore accept. But if righteous Law forbids the sinner's return, how can grace invite such return ? '.l'he elder son in the parable was much scandalized at the father's welcome of his prodigal younger brother. It did seem to be an improper thing to do. 'l'he practical reply to all such objections-and they have never ceased to be urged in all ages of the Church-is to point to actual facts. What has been the result of the belief of God's wondrous grace? Has a scriptural faith been proved to foster a sinful life? Arc they who humbly rest on God's grace in Christ the licentious, the ungodly, the profane? The Evangelical Church can fearlessly press questions like these. And if it be asked what is the philosophy of this? bow is it 1llt. ut 1-26.J 'fllE BOOK vJ!· 'l'IlE PROPHE:'r jEilEMiAH.