The Pulpit Commentary — Joel — Section 48

lneectA, or poatllence, fBmine, or war, who but the Almighty cnn removo thorn? Men may and ought to employ means; but futile for ever will be all human elfortR withont the co-operation of Almighty power. TbiA fact ahould teach o~ ever to look tn him and him only for doliverance from evil at all times, both material and moral. 2. The ~stowment of blmings. "The Lord will answer and 1111.y unto hia people, P,ehol,I, I will aend you corn, and wine, and oil, and ye shall be satiafied therewith : and I will no more make you a. reproach among ~he heathen." The prod_uct_ioD.l! of the earth are dependent every moment upon Almighty power. At hl8 b1ddmg the most fertile regions of nature are struck into barrenness, and deserts and wildernesses bi>,eome fertile and beautiful ae Eden. 'l'ho pseuderscientist of this age traces the r,perations of nature to what he calls "laws," a term to cover his ignorance. But true philoeophy as well :iK the Bible teachea that nature is absolutely in God's hands. "He causes the sun to riKO and to set." He poureth down the genial showers and sealeth the heavens. A prac- tical recognition of him in all the phenomena. of natnre is what reason and religion demand. "Every good and perfect gift," etc. !I, THAT THE DIVINE OPEBATIOl!IB ABE Il!IFLUEJ!l'0ED BY THF: HOBAL CO:.<!DlTlON OF THE PEOPLE, We are taught here, that the removal of the calamity and the bestowment of the blessing came upon the people in consequence of the moral humilia- tion for their sins, described in the preceding verses. The priests and the ministers of the Lord wept between the altar, and said, "Spare thy people, 0 Lord I" etc. "The porch before the temple was a hundred and twenty cubits high, twenty broad from north to south, and ten from east to west. 'l'he altar was that of burnt offering in the court of the priests. Here, with their backs toward the altar, on which they had nothing to offer, and their faces directed towards the residence of the Shechinah, they were to weep, and make supplication on behalf of the people." That the Divine conduct towards us depends npon our conduct towards Heaven, is inexplicable to us although clearly taught in the Word of God. Indeed, consciousness assures ns that he is to us what we are to him. It is absurd to suppose that God will alter the laws of nature because of human prayers or human condnct, says the aceptic scientist. Bnt what laws of nature are more manifest, more universal, settled and nnalterable than the tendency of human souls to personal and intercessory prayer? From every human heart the world over, there goes up to the great Spirit in some form or other a prayer, either for self or others. Every aspiration is a prayer-" God help me I" "God help thee ! " " God help him I" "God help them I " Point out to me a hnman soul where the spirit of these iB not being breathed out every day. Scripture abonnds with examples too numerous here to write of God apparently altering his conduct on account of man's supplications. Ill. THAT THE RIGHT MOBAL CONDUCT OF .A PEOFLE WILL ENBUBE THEM DrvmE BENEDl0TIONS, " Fear not, 0 land; be glad and rejoice : for the Lord will do great things. Be not afraid, ye beasts of the field : for the pastures of the wilderne8s do spring, for the tree beareth her fruit, the fig tree and the vine do yield their strength. Be glad then, ye children of Zion, and rejoice in the Lord your God: for he bath given you the former rain moderately, and he will cause to come down for you the rain, the former rain, and the latter rain in the first month." In these verses there is a beautiful gradation. First, the land which has been destroyed by the enemy is addressed in a prosopopceia; then the irrational animals which had suffered from the famine; and lastly, the inhabitants themselves. All are called upon to cast off their fears, and rejoice in the happy chani:ie which God would effect. Desolation, barrenness, and famine would disappear, and times of prosperity and happiness return. It is too clear for either argu- ment or illustration, that if you change the moral character of any country from ignorance to intelligence, from indolence to industry, from intemperance to self-discipline, from sensualness to spirituality, from enmity to love, that the whole material region in which they live may a.bound with plentifulness and beauty. Such a change throughout the whole human population to-day will give to all a new heaven and new earth.-D. T. Vers. 25-27.-Twofold restoration, "And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten," etc. 'I'heso words refer to a twofold restoration. I. THE nEST0RATION OF LOST MATERIAL MEBOIES. "l will restore you the years that the locuet bath eaten," etc. That the prophet hu here in view the plague oI  441 THE BOOK OF JOEL, [oR, II, 1-82,