The Pulpit Commentary — Jeremiah — Volume 1 — Section 82

they are represented as walking; with such gentleness would he make them, as he in like manner makes all who truly turn to him, great.-C. Ver. 16.-Supercession of external religious ordinances and institutions. This is because of the necessarily temporary nature of these, and the spirituality to which they are intended to minister, and which subsequently they may hinder. l. 'l'HE TRUE W0ilBHIP 01!' GoD 18 SPIRITUAL. 1t is not to bow before an altar or an ark that God calls us to his temple, but to see himself face to face, to discover our neerl of him, and to delight in bis presence. Nor is this communion.to be occasional or in- termittent. The whole life is to be affected by spiritual influences. A true life may thereby become worship, and "daily toil temple service." This arises from the nature of God. "God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth." JI. THE MOST SACRED BYMDOLS ARE ONLY USEFUL AS THEY HELP TO THIS, AND WHEN IT 1s ATTAINED ARE NO LONGER REQUIRED, This may be said not only of external church furniture, rites of worship, etc., but even of words and doctrines themselves, which are but imperfect representations of the Divine glory. When the building is finished the scafl'oldiog is removed. The final end of education is not to load the mind with dead knowledge, but to culture and strengthen it. Ceremonial and doctrinal teaching are intended to lead men into personal experience of God and COillJllunion with him. When that is attained they fall into the badcground. }I!. THAT RITUAL WORSHIP SHALL Gl\'E PLACE TO SPIRITUAL IS DISTINCTLY PROMISED. 1 . .dn incentive to t!te spiritual use of rites. 2. An assurance of Divine favour ana love. 3. A promise of Ghrist and communion through him.-M. Ver. 19.-" Put among the children." A promise deeply and tenderly evangelical. Israel and Judah bad forfeited this position because they had broken the covenant. But the forgiving love of God is shown in his declaring that they should be reinstated. The force of the phrase is well explained as that of "bestowing a rich paternal bene- diction," or of restoring to the rights and privileges of inheritance. l. THE SINNER HAS FORFEITED HIS POSITION IN THE FAMILY 01!' GoD. All through Rcripture this relation is shown as depending upon mutual agreement and obligation. 'l'he covenant is the title-deed to the inheritance of God's children. The breaking of this on the part of the sinner destroys his claim and position. In the parable of the prodignl son we have the consciousness of this on the pnrt of the transgressor beauti- fully described-" I am no more worthy to bo called thy son." Moral harmony between the soul of man and God is of the essence of the filial relntion. A lost position; n possibility that we have destroyed by our own act. Henceforth the sinner is a spiritual orphan, or a "child of Satan." There is no claim upon God save on condition of renewed obedience. He is subject to the wrath of God's wounded love and outraged honour. II. READOPTION IS THE 0UARANTEE OF ALL HIGHEST BLESSINGS. It is only children of God who are heirs of God; if, then, we would enjoy the privileges and blessings of his house, we must be reinstated in that which we have lost. But this is only possiblo on repentance and belief. We are assured here and elsewhere that the sinner can rc:;ain this title and relation without lessening of the dignity, privilege, and afl'cctiou. \Vhen once this has taken place there i~ no bar to tho bestowal of God's richest bc11c- rliction. As his children, as those who are actuated by bis love and governed b_y his Spirit, there is ample security that his blessings shall not be abused. A holy confidel!·.u and communion are established, and the true end of being is once more secured. III. '!'ms IS AN ACT OF GoD's FREE GRACE. The initiative is not the sinnc1·'s. Overtures of mercy come from him he has offended, There is nothing to compel Ou,! to do this. He is perfectly free, and any obligation into which he enters is sealc•l only by his voluntary promises. 'l.'here is abundant evidence, too, of a Divine so.ti,i:u, I ion and joy in the exercise of pardoning love. It is spoken of as a long hopd fur aml "ladsome consummation. 'l'he "Abba, Father!" of the restored one is mu,ie in thl' heart of God. 'fhis is the only true joy-the joy of reconciliation. Who can (\oulit his welcome with such assurances as this? Gou wills not that auy shouhl perish, \Jut that nil should come to him nncl livc,-M. 78 'l'HE BOOK OF THE PROPHET JEilEMIAH. [cu. 1v. 1-:ll.