The Pulpit Commentary — Jeremiah — Volume 1 — Section 195

diate aml strenuous exertion, will show diligence in some such way. He will be unable to res~. So it is ~Hh God and his_ Church. Not _that he can be said to fear or be uncertarn as to the issues. But the mterest he has m the fortunes and spiritual state of his people is of this description. It is no impassive God who is presented to us in Scripture. A profound concern for the interests of our race ever fills the mind of God. His deepest affections are engaged. He mourns the sin and rejoices in the salvation of men. II. OF BIB DILIGENCE IN PROVIDING FOR THE WANTS OF ms PEOPLE. It is no aimless, helpless anxiety that fills his breast. The most practical measures of help and direc- tion are devised and carried into execution. Prophets, the plenipotentiaries of Divine grace, are sent in immediate response to the needs and demands of men. No age of the world or the Church but has its thick succession. Heaven is in continual activity on behalf of sinners. The choicest spiritual gifts are ceaselessly rained upon the earth. 'l'he most devoted servants of God are raised up and sent. Truth in quick evolution anticipates the spiritual necessities of those who would seek God. There is no flagging, no cessation, from Adam's fall to the uplifting of the second Adam. And onward from that Divine spectacle, in which was displayed the "fulness of the Godhead bodily," events hurry to the culminating glories of .Pentecost and the marriage supper of the Lamb. III. IF THIS BE THE CASE, HOW OUGHT WE TO STUDY AND LAY HOLD OF THE MESSAGE oF SALVATION? Is there not a contrast between the affectionate concern and sacrifice of God and the languid indifference or stubborn refusals of men? How shall we escape if we neglect this infioite mercy? How shall we excuse the manner in which we listen to the Word of God ?-M. Vers. 17-20.-ldolatry a detailed insult to Jehovah. This is frequently stated in the Dible. It must be the case from the very nature of the worship of false gods. It is a denial and robbery of the true God. But the description here given helps us to realize more completely the intense sinfulness of the worship of idols, because of the circumstances attending it. I. A<l<lRAVATING CIB0UMBTANCES. 1. It was dO'Tle publicly in the streets of Jerusalem and the cities of Judah. God was displaced from the land he had given. The pince that was consecrated by the faith and worship of the saints and the ceaseless mercies of Jehovah is desecrated by the orgies and profanities of heathenism. The worship of the "queen of heaven" (the female representative-Astarte-of the nature principle, of which Baal is the male principle) could not but be public. As the Ilaal worshippers poured forth their libations to the sun-god in broad day, so the worshippers of the moon made no secret of their devotions. It was done literally and perforce "in the face of heaven." Aud celebrations of the most obscene description mingled with their sacrifices. Yet was there no shame. 2. It absorbed the attention and energies of the people. Here is a picture of a whole family, from the eldest to the least, occupied in tasks connected with the worship of Astarte. How different from the perfunctory or imperfect service rendered to Jehovah I No time was left for the true worship. And Is it not just so to-day under new forms and conditions? The idolntry of pleasure, gain, ambition, personal and social ideals,-does it not absorb the minds and bodies of its devotees? How little time is left for Christian duty and sacrifice I How weary and useless are those faculties which are professedly plnced at the service of God I Our life-work is too often in the market-place, in the forum of personal display and self-seeking, etc., instead of the service of Jesus and the house of God. 3. It involved the wa.~te of the natural products of the land. II. 'l'HE DELIDEBATE INTENTION. There wns not wanting this expressed defiance. 'rhe idea is that they would annoy and exasperate Jehovah with impunity to them- 8elves, as mean natures delight in awakening the jealousy, etc., of others. In this way they showed how completely they misunderstood the relations of Jehovah with his world and his people, his command over the forces of nature, and his power of retalia- tion through the ordinary laws of nature. III. 1TB RECOMPENSP:. 1. According to natural laws. Affecting, therefore, the objects they required for their sacrifices to Astarte, and cutting off the supplies requisite for man and beast. 2. To their own confusion. God will be unalfected ; they thenl- JEREMIAH. 0 194 THE BOOK OF THE PROPHET JEREMIAH. [cu. vn. 1-34.