Ycrs. 25-27.-Dreams that ma.ke tlie Name of God to be forgotten, This is a very difficult passage, but its general sense is phin. It seems to be this: The false prophets "·hom Jehovah had not sent imitated the form of inspired utterance-the dream as distinct from the vision-which could most easily and with least chance of detection be fa bricatcd. This vehicle of communicating their false doctrines they strongly affected. "I have dreamed, I have dreamed." .Although delivering these utterances in the Name of Jehovah, they thereby sought to alienate the people from him, and to cause his Name to be forgotten. I. PERSOXS MAY SPEAK IN GoD's NAME WHO ARE REALLY ms ENEMIES. These false prophets used the Name of God to commend their own deceitful doctrines and practices. The latter would have no permanent influence apart from this association. It is a favourite del'ice of Satan to appear as an angel of light. There is nothing more diabolical, and the pretence should ever be regarded with critical suspicion, and exposed without hesitation when discovered. "Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my Name, saying, I am Christ; and sha.11 deceiv.i many" (Matt. xxiv. 5. II, IT IS EASY TO IMPART A RELIGIOUS ASPECT TO TIIAT WIIICH IS OPPOSED TO TRUE :nELIGION. Here one of the chief Yehicles of inspiration is employed for quite another purpose than the revelation of God's truth. Its mystery, vagueness, etc., imposed upon the people; and detection was rendered difficult, as no one could be sure whether the prophet dreamt or not. The real message they delivered was one of personal ambition, lust, etc. So men baptize their carnal dreams and desires with Christian names. It is very necessary to discriminate and to be sincere. Now it is a dream, anon an ordinance, at another time a doctrine'. Il I. FALSEHOOD IS MOST TO DE DREADED WHEN IT SIMULATES TRUTH. 1. Because it is essentially unaltered. By saying this is truth, it is really no more so than at :first, but it gets the character of it. 2. The association thus created greatly increases its power. The sanctions of religion are given to ungodly and sinful practices. Delusion is most inveterate when it blends with superstition. 3. It destroys those whom it professes to bless. The mental habit is thereby corrupted, and the spiritual nature rendered unfit for real Divine communications. The danger is not discovered until it bas made fearful advances and worked irrevocable mischief. IV. IT SPECLU.LY PROVOKES THE ANGER OF GoD. It is blasphemy; mocks him; and arrogates his place and functions, becoming more daring with apparent impunity.-M.
Vers. 28, 29.-The faithful utterance of Divine revelation. If God in very deed reveals his will to men, it is essential that it be simply and truthfully conveyed. I. HUMAN INTEBMIXTUllES WITH DIVINE TRUTH .ARE HURTFUL AND WEAKENING IN THEIR INFLUENCE. The word of human origin is placed on the same level with the Divine. When the former is proved fallible or untrue, the latter is discredited. Effort,1 after novelty and strangeness generally ensue; r.nd these are condemned by the Word of God (vers. 30, 31). II. THESE ARE WHOLLY UNNECESSARY, AS THE WORD OF GOD IS SUFFICIENT FOR ITS PURPOSE. "God's Word shall not return unto him void" (Isa. Iv. 11). It is the truth, and must prevail. III. THE SPURIOUS INTERMIXTURE WILL DE REVEALED DY TUE DU'FERENCE OF ITS EFFECTS. " What has the straw to do with the grain? "-a question sure to arise in those who receive such messages. 'l'be connection of the one element with the other is evidently incongruous. The stalk sustains the ear which develops from it whilst p;rnwing; but when the :field has been harvested the two are separated, and have to be uBcd apart. To mix up the chopped straw with the grain would only be to spoil the latLer. And so it is when human ideas are mixed with Divine revelations: the mixture cu. xxm.1-40.] THE BOOK OF 'l'HE PROPHET JEREMIAH.