The Pulpit Commentary — Jeremiah — Volume 1 — Section 324

the New Testament we have snme simila1· u!temnces. (Cf. Matt. xxiii. 11.) (6) And we <'U.rseli•cs i11 1car-which we all allow to be at times lawful---<ict on these very p1'inciples and do for ourselves what the Old Testament saints only besought God to do. Rene~ conclude that, in like circumstances and for similar reasons, such prayers as these arc n,,t evil. ,~hat the Ne\v Testament condc~rns is revenge for private personal injuries, for persecution when suffered for the gospels sake; but not war for defensive purposes and therefore not the stern spirit which is essential to war. And one practical lesson' from all rnch utterances is that they reflect what exists in God-a determined and liercc hatred against wickedness-and therefore they awaken a salutary fear of that nngeance and an earnest desire to" flee from the wrath to come."-C. Yer. 5.-Failure in little things. "If thou hast run with the footmen," etc.? The prophet of God was weary hearted. Like Job, like the writer of the thirty-seventh psalm, like John the Baptist, he was sore perplexed at God'8 dealings. The wicked prospered,the righteous were cast down. Hence he sadly asks," Wherefore doth," etc.? (ver. 1). Now, God answers such questionings as these in different ways. Sometimes by showing his servant the true state of the ungodly, ma.king him" to understand their end." Sometimes by revealing to the righteous the vast superiority of their portion over that of the ungodly. Sometimes by gently soothing the ruffled spirit, At other times, as here, by rousing rebuke and sharp remonstrance, bidding him bethink himself, if he broke down under these comparatively small trials, how would he bear up when much more terrible ones had to be endured? If running with" footmen" was too much for him, then how would he " contend" with the swift " horses "? If he could feel secure only in a quiet land (see Exposition), how would he do in a region full of peril like that of the jungle-land, the lair of the lion and other fierce beasts of prey, which stretched along the banks of the Jordan? Greater trials were to come to him than he had as yet known; how would he meet them if he failed in the presence of these Jesse, ones? Now, in applyi[lg the principle here laid down, note- I. GoD PUTS CTON us FIRST THAT WHICH IS LESS, AND AFTERWARDS THAT WHIClI IS GREATER. In all departments of life. 1. Our ph;1sical powers are taxed first lightly, afterwards more heavily. 2. So our mental powers; the easy lessons first, then those that are more difficult. 3. So with our moral life; temptation comes" as we are nblo to bear it." 4. So in busines.~ life; the lesser responsibilities and duties first. 5. And so in the spiritual life; God does not expect from the young beginner that which the veteran in his service can alone render. II. fil,.,J THE LESS IS TO PREPARE us FOR THE GREATER. Childhood is to prepare for youth, that for manhood, and all our life here for our everlastiug life yonder. But- III. .Ii'AILtIBE IN THAT WHICH 1B LESS CARRIES WITlI IT FAILURE IN TDAT WHICH 18 G&EATEB ALSO. 'l'his is the law implied by the question of ver. 5. And it is a uni- Yersal law. Therefore we may ask this question, "If thou hast run," etc.? 1. Of such as are unable to bear the lesser trials of life. What unmanly complaining we often hear, though in the presence of sorrows compared with which their own nro as nothing! If they fail here and now, what will they do there and then? 2. Of such as find a little prosperity do them harm. This is the reason why many are kept poor. God sees that they would be puffed up, spiritually injured in many ways, if worldly prosperity were granted them; and hence be keeps it away. A little was given, as if to test them, but they could not bear it; and hence in God's Jove they were not tried again. 3. Of such a., fall before slight temptation. If conscience is set aside and trampled on in lesser matters, it will be served no better in such as are greater. 4. Of such as are loolcing fo,- a more convenient season than now to yield themselves to God. Will the opposition of your own heart, of the world around you, of the power which Labit has over you, become less? But if you yield thereto now, how will it be when all lhese bnve become, as they will, more powerful still? IV. IluT THE REVEilBE OF THlB LAW 18 TRUE ALSO. Victory over the less will lead to victory over the greater. By the successful 1unning with the footmen we she.II be pre- 1,ared for the severer contest with horses. Hence little trials borne well prophesy our bearing well such as may be greater, should God please to send them. And if, when CJJtrustcd with but a few thincrs, we arc found faithful in them, the Lord whom wo bCrve b likely to make us" rul;r over many thingH." 'l'ho lesser temptation rcsolntel7 OH, x.n.1-17,] THE DOOK OF 'l'HE PROPHET JEREMIAH, 325