The Pulpit Commentary — Jeremiah — Volume 1 — Section 209

active and eager part. They become so many societies for the propagation of ungodli- ness. In the sanctity or the sin of the parent the children are sure to share. In the first, by the grace of God; in the second, by the fatal force of a father's example. A father can lift his children up to heaven or he can drag them down to hell, and some do. See the text. II. BuT IT IB A MODEL ALSO. In what we are here told, the heathen shame the Church. Idolatrous worship may well put to the blush much of the worship of God. For in the worship told of in the text, false and horrible as it was, nevertheless we see much that we might well copy. 1. It was aworshi,p that made all work. Wha.t a busy hive of workers each household is seen to be! Rut where is the counterpart of this in the Church of Christ? A whole family eager and active for Christ-the father, the mother, and all the children-would be a unique fa.et. How lazy, how indolent, is the greater pa_rt of our religion l 2. The children were interested in it. We are heart- broken that the great masses of our countrymen stand aloof from the worship of God. Did we interest them in it when they were children? We had them all in our hands, as we have their children now. Are our modes of worship, our representations of God's truth, our methods of instruction, such as shall make them love God's worship when they grow up? What would we not give to see our children so eager in God's worship as were the children told of in the text in idol-worship? 3. Both sides of the house were agreed on this great question. Husband and wife were of one mind, and each did what they could to further it. It was the general rule. Is it so now in regard to God and bis service? Does the husband never hinder the wife? does the wife always help the husband on the heavenward road? 4. There was fit work/or each, and each did it. '.l'he children could gather sticks, the men kindle the fires, and the women, etc. When will there arise in the Church some who will point out some fresh and wise methods of enlisting all in her work? We have now two or three regular plans in operation; but if any be unfit or unwilling for them, as many a.re, there is nothing else for them. What we need is what these idolaters in their sad worship seem to have found-a work for eve1·y one,-and every one at his work. But meanwhile let each one who is standing in the vineyard idle, not because unwilling to work, but because no one has hired him, no one has pointed him to the work for which he is really fit-and there are many such-let him take his case to the Lord, and ask, "Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?" and he may rest assured, no matter whether he be little child or grown-up man, an answer will come to him soon.-C. Ver. 19.-.The recoil of sin. I. 'fIIE RESULTS OF BIN ON OTHERS ARE TERRIBLE. 1. What may not be theit· deadly influence upon those with whom the sinner comes in con- tactP How hereditary, how contagious, how virulent, the poison of sin! As no man livdb unto himself, so also "no man dieth unto himself." If be die by reason of hiij sin, he ever drags down others into the same doom. 2. .And their results Godward. It is said they "provoke him to anger;" " God is angry with the wicked every day ; " "Go,! is slow to anger, a.nd of great mercy." Bnt still sin is" the abominable thing that ho hates." He will not tolorato it in his children, a.nd hence, however severe the measures necessary to sepa.rato it and them, those measures will be taken. "Onr God is a consuming fire." But- II. THE RECOIL OF SIN ON THE SINNER HIMSELF IS TERRIBLE ALSO. It is described in tho text. I. It provokes him to anger. It is not alone the Lord whose anger is aroused, but the sinner's anger also is provoked. As he looks back on the folly, the utter madness, of what he has done, how completely he has been deceived, what rage of remorse fills his soul! How he flogs himself with the lashings of his own self-upbraid- ing ! What epithets of anger and contempt docs he heap upon his own head I He is lllled with the fruit of his own ways. And another of these bitter fruits is : 2. Con- fusion of face. He is ashamed, abashed, confounded, because of his sin. He is so (1) before his own conscience. He cannot bear to think of himse)f, From the com- p11nionship of his own thoughts he flees as from a haunting ghost. Like a sheeted spectre conscience seems to be pointing at him with its dread finger, its stony oyes over glaring upon him, so that, turn which w~y he will, ho caru:o~ escape their. gaze. Ho is ashamed of himself covered with confus10n of face before his own conscience. Oh, 11nsernb1,,, miserable ~retch that ho is I (2) Before God. He cannot pray. He shuns the throne  208 THE BOOK OF 'l'HE PROPHET JEREMIAH. [cu. vu. 1-34,