Vers. 15, 16.-The "le:,; taJ,wnis." The prlnciple of government or of retribution known as the lex talionis was known to the Hebrews as well as to other nations. " It was B!l.id by them of old time, An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth." Pe.ssages in Ezekiel contain threatenings of a retribution similar to that which in this passage is denounced upon Edom. L THE AUTHoB AND THE OOCA.BION OF THIB BETBmUTioN. "The day of the Lord" is a.n expression frequently occurring in the prophetic writings, and always denoting a season of retribution appointed by a righteous God. The day when iniquity is rampant, when injustice is perpetrated and is apparently unnoticed, is the day of man. But BS surely BS the universe is governed by a Being of rectitude, so surely shall the cause of equity and truth be vindicated; and the time of sur.h vindication, come when it may, is the day of the Lord. II THE HETHOD AND HEASUEE OF BETBDIUTION. "As thou hast done, it shall be done unto thee." Edom bad deserted her friends; she should be deserted. Edom had spoiled her neighbours; she should be spoiled. And this doom was threatened, not upon Edom only, but upon "all the heathen," i.e. upon all who shared Edom's guilt. Whether this was to happen by the working out of what we call a natural law, or by a specie.I interposition of Providence, we are not told, and this is immaterial. History records very many instances in which this principle has operated, in which this doom bas been inflicted. Ill. THE filGHEB DIVINE PRINCIPLE WHICH TEMPERS TBI8 OF BETBmUTION. Our Lord Jesus has taught ns that the lex ealionis is not an adequate principle of human conduct. Much less can it be deemed the perfect and final law of the Divine government. Mercy triumphs over wrath. Where there is true repentance on man's part, there is ready forgiveness on God's part. If this were not so, the human race would long ago have perished; if this were not so, we should not now be rejoicing in the Saviour of our souls, the Saviour of mankind. Ver. 17.-.Restoration. It is a peculiarity of the Hebrew prophets that, however gloomy might seem to them the immediate future of their. n;ation, the,: ever saw beyond the darkness into the glorious light of the future. Op1n1ons bavo differed, and 6til\ differ, as to the reference of many of their predictions of coming prosperity and blessedn888. Some refer those visions to a time not long subsequent to the prophet's 1-21.J THE BOOK OF OBADIAH. 11
own time. Others still look for their literal fulfilment in the political history of IE!l'a<>l in the future. Whilst others believe that the visions were not of mere earthly peace and prosperity, but of the spiritual kingdom of Christ and of the true Israel of God, the Church of the living God. Certainly such language as that of the text, whatever be its literal application, contBins promises which Christians alone can fully realize. I. ONE ELEMENT IN RESTORATION IS DELIVERANCE. The return or the captives and exiles to their native soil, their much-loved city, is a picture of the restoration of sinners to the favour and fellowship of the God whom they bad angered and alienated. God deviseth means whereby his banished ones shall return. Christ is the Redeemer, and deliverance is hie great work. Hie people are the saved, the rescued, the emancipated, the restored. II. ANOTHER ELEMENT IN RESTORATION' 19 HOLINESS. The captivity of the Jews had removed them from their metropolis and from their temple, the holy place of their God. At the same time, the heathen had polluted and defiled the sanctuary of Jehovah. The return from exile was to be the occasion of the restoration of the holy people to the holy house, and the restoration of the sanctuary to its sacred nses. In the Church of the Redeemer the Spirit of holiness takes up his abode. It is filled with sacred services and observances. "Holiness becometh thy house, 0 Lord, for ever." Ill. ANOTHER ELEMENT IN BESTOBATION IS THE ENJOYMENT OF SECURITY AND PLENTY. "The house of Jacob shall possess their possessions." The lands and houses which the people had inherited from their forefathers bad been occupied by strangers. But upon the restoration the Hebrews took possession of their ancient homes and fields, and abode in peace and enjoyed plenty. In this their position was an emblem of that into which Christ's redeemed people are introduced by his grace. All things are theirs. 'l'hey possess the privileges of the gospel and the peace of the Spirit, and theirs is the blessed hope of an inheritance incorruptible, undefiled, and unfading. Ver, 21.-Empire foonded cm salvo.ticm. The two conceptions which are united in this verse are united, not only in the history of Judah, but in the dispensation of Divine grace as revealed in the gospel of Jesus Christ. Israel had many saviours; Moses was the first and greatest; the judges followed. In the later periods of Jewish story, Zerubbabel and Judas Maccabaius wrought somewhat similar deliverance for their countrymen. In fact, from first to last revelation is the history of salvations, all pointing on to the one great salvation to be wrought, not for one nation only, but for all mankind. And as the Hebrew deliverers established the kingdom, and brought about the reign of righteousness and the prevalence of peace, so upon his great work of deliverance by Christ God bas founded that kingdom which is "righteousness peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost." ' , I. CHRIST IS A SAVIOUR WITH A VIEW TO HIS BEING A KING. His earthly manifestation was as a pitying Deliverer; his heavenly session is as a mighty Lord. In a sense, he purchased bis dominion by his sacrificial death. II. CHRIST'S PEOPLE ARE SAVED IN ORDER THAT THEY MAY BE SUBJECTS. In the first instance, those who receive the gospel behold Christ as a Redeemer. But in 8aving them the Lord acquires rights over them; these rights they recognize, and their subjection and obedience become the note of their interest in his redemption. III. THE EARTH IS THE SCENE OF A SAVIOUR'S GRACE THAT IT MAY BECOME THE BEAT OF HIS EMPIRE. From Zion Jehovah judged the mount of Esau. God "ives to his Son the heathen for his inheritance. Not by a physical, a military, bot by a moral conquest Christ takes possession of our humanity. And he is Lord of all.
HOMILIES BY VARIOUS AUTHORS. Vers. 1, 2.-Tlie vision of Obadiah. "The vision of Obadiah. Thus saith the Lord God concerning Edom; We have heard a rumour from the Lord, and an ambassador is sent among the heathen, Arise ye, and let us rise up ~<>ainst her in battle. Behold I have made thee small among the heathen : thou art greatly despised." We are no,~ about to study the smallest book in the Old Testament. It comes behind the others in length, but in nothing else. In its weighty character as an inspired writing it i~ 12 THE BOOK OF OBADIAH. [1--21,