HOMILIES BY VARIOUS AUTHORS. Vers. 1-7.-Messages recapitulated. I. CAREFUL BElllNDER OF THE EXTENT OF HIS IDNISTBY. (Vers. 1-3.) 1. The moral, value of tliis is great. It is no vague indict- ment, but one made out with all accuracy and conscientiousness. We ought to take note of the extent of our privileges and opportunities, for we shall have to give an exact account of them all. 2. Its evidential value is equally great. 'l'he date of the pre- diction is thus fixed, and history becomes a long verification of his prophetic truth. II. ASSERTION OF ms OWN AND OF GoD's DILIGENCE AND FAITHFULNESS. (Vera. 3-6.) l. God has been diligent. He has " risen up early." 'l'be welfare of bis people is of intense interest to him. The delays of his dispensations are only seeming. No earnest- ness on the part of the creature can ever anticipate or outrun his love or readiness to 1,rovide. 2. His servant tlu! prophet was so also. It was God's Spirit in him that they heard. He was obedient to the heavenly Spirit, and announced its messages o.s they were received. III. '1.'llE PERSISTENT UNBELIEF A~'"IJ DISODimrnNCE OF THE NATION DENOUNCED. (Vers. 3-7.) There is something very impressive in the repeated "Yo have not hearkened." It defines and characterizes the guilt of the apostate. There was not even the beginniug of serious attention (vers. 5, 6); and their indifference had become systematic aud habitual. What wonder that God should have been provoked to wrath? Aud this is the sinner's position to-day. It would be impossible to fathom the depths of our depravity by nature, or to trace it to its ultimate issues. OH. xxv. 1-38.] THE BOOK OF THE PROPHET JERKMIAII. 559
IV. THE SPIRIT !AND BUBBTANCE OF THE MESSAGE If! REPEATED. How <YCCat is tho 0 long-suffering of God I 'l'he unbelief of the people bad been marvellous, considerin" the signs which bad been given. Another opportunity, however, was afforded ere th; catastrophe should take place. No details of the teaching are entered into, but great plainness of speech is used. The emphasis is upon essentials and permanent principles. The "spirit of prophecy" is intensely moral; and this is why the" testimony of Jesus" represents it. It is the grand resultant of all the forces working through ancient prophecy, and casts its revealing light backward upon the prophetic page. These repentances eo often urged but never forthcoming, these "returns" and obediences which were to crown with blessing and surround with Divine favour, are only possible through his Spirit. The future of the world, as of every individual and nation, is inextricably associated with the ea.use of righteousness, and therefore with the gospel-M. Vere. 7-11.-Judgment plainly declared. The a.gents of the visitation are more precisely defined than hitherto, and the leader of the invasion is actually named. 'l'he extent also of the region to be devastated, and the time the captivity is to last, viz. seventy'years, are set forth. I. THIS TE~ED TO HEIGllTEN TIIE MORAL CONSCIOUSNESS OF TIIE PEOPLE. A vague indefinite caiamity or series of calamities would have failed to strike deeply enough into the conscience of the transgressors; whereas a precisely marked off and defined set of occurrences could not be misunderstood. 1. The nearness and inevitable character of the judgment are thereby realized. 2. It is seen to be imposed by the moral govern- ment of God. "My servant." God permits, nay, appoints, Nebuchadrezzar. II. IT PRESENTED THE PERIOD OF CALAMITY AS PART OF AN ORDERED WHOLE, WITH A DEFINITE OUTCOME AND OBJECT. Great as the trial would be, it was nevertheless o. measured and therefore a bearable one. There need be no wild abandonment to despair. The believer could possess his soul in patience. The allurements of heathenism would lose much of their power. A quiet, reverent, and repentant study of the mean- ing of the dispensation would be encouraged ; and in this way it would act as di,ci- pline for the future. We can never be certain as to the limits of our trials; but wu have the assurance that our Saviour, who has a fellow-feeling with his people, will not impose anything above what we are nble to bear. And through the revelation of spirituality in the gospel, and the greater spiritualization of our hopes and aims through its teaching, we are able with greater calmness to contemplate our "light affliction, which is but for a. moment." III. THE PROPRE0Y WAS THEREBY PROVED TO BE GENUINE, AND THE PROVIDENCE OF GOD REVEALED BEYOND DISPtJTE. As if conscious of this, Jeremiah for the first time calls himself " the prophet," when he has fairly committed himself to exact dates and personages. It would be open to the survivors of that predicted dispensation to denounce him an an impostor, and to discredit the practice of prophesying. But tho seer was certain ; and the verdict of history confirms his forecast, and demonstrates that it wns no f'3' post facto fabrication, but real Divine foreknowledge of events yet future.-M.
Ver. 29.-Judgment 'beginning at the house of God. I. THE ORDER OF GoD's JUDGMENT. 1. It begins with his own people, 2. Reasons/or this are: (1) The harmony of the Divine rule in the earth. The Church is his own house. It ought, therefore, to be in perfect order first. His authority ought to be recognized among those whom he calls his own. He will therefore deal with them first, and then with better grace address the impenitent and unbelieving world. (2) The purity of God's character. He cannot endure wrong -cannot look upon sin. Yet he is to dwell in the Church, in individual believers. It is necessary, therefore, that they be made pure as he is pure. 'fheir discipline must be immediate if they are to become vessels prepared unto honour. (3) The justice of God. Immediately the sin of the child is worse than that of the stranger, because it is done in the midst of light and privilege. Sharp and immediate chastisement is the only way in which he can show his sense of the wrong done (Amos iii.~). (4) The mercy of God. If it begius with the children of God, it is that they may the tiOOner be saved. He embitters the breast of the world to wean them (Leighton). It is becau,e h~ CiGO THE IlOOK OF TH.E PUOPH.ET JERKmAH. [en. xxv. 1-38,