Ver. 7.-God's 'Ways vindicated. In this verse three important questions a.re asked, and in the answers to these lies the clear vindication of God's ways in his dealings with transgressors. L " Is THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD STRAITENED?" i.e. when his judgments over- take men for their sins, is this to be regarded e.e a token that God's loving-kindness and long-suffering have failed? No; his compassions never fail. "His mercy endureth for ever." What, then, is the explanation? It is that such Divinejudgments are imperatively demanded. They are so: 1. In vindication of the Divine rectitude. If sin went unpunished, the Divine righteousness might, indeed, be questioned. It was this consideration, and not e. spirit of vindictiveness which called forth "the imprecatory psalms," in which chastisement was invoked upon the workers of iniquity. 2. In the interest of tM wrong-doers themselves. It is uot for the advantage of trans- gressors themselves that they should be e.llowed to go on unblushingly in sin. The Divine long-suffering may operate in checking and bringing such to a stand; in chastening them with a view to their reformation. 3. In order to the promotion of the well-being of society at large. J ehove.h is the sovereign Ruler; the universe is his domain; and it may be essential, in order to the good of the race, that he should e.t times interpose in judgment. "When his judgments are abroad in the earth, the inhabitants thereof learn righteousne88" (lea. xxvi. 9). II. "ABE THESE HIS DOINGS?" i.e. is God the Author and Cause of the evils men liave to experience when they stray from righteousness? No; he cannot be; these are to be traced to the wrong-doers themselves, and arc the outcome of their misdeeds. 'l'Le sinner is his own punisher. The woes which befall him he has worked out for l1imself. "Judas foll from the ministry and apostleship, that he might go to Ms own pl(J£e." "Men meet with all sorts of bitter, painful, and bad things in their life, just because they are bitter, painful, and bad themselves, and do not see that this is the rout of their misery" (Bushnell). III. "Do NOT MY WORDS DO GOOD TO nni: THAT WALKETH UPRIGHTLY?" Assuredly; and hence, if this good is missed, must it not be because there is a lack of obedience in thut1t wb.o miss it, so that the responaihility ie entirely theirs? OJt, II, 1-13.] THE DOOK OF MICAH.
Ver. 7.-The beneficial influenoo of Gorl:8 word8 upon the obedient. By the" words" or God we understand the utterances of his gracious mind. These were communi- 1:o.ted unto the fathers by the prophets; in "the fulness of time" they were made known by hie Bon; to us they are given in the Scriptures of eternal truth. Their influence upon us depends upon our attitude towards them and upon the spirit we cherish. If our aim is to live a godly life, and to pursue the path of rectitude and obedience, they will prove truly helpful to us. I. Goo's "WORDS" "DO GOOD" TO THE UPRIGHT IN HEART, AS IT RESPECTS THl':IR PEBBONAJ, AND INDIVIDUAL LIFE, They become thus bene □ ted : 1. Physically; being preserved by these teachings from those excesses into which the ungodly often fall (PM, xci. 16; cxix. 95). 2. Mentally; their minds being directed to the sublimest themes, by meditating upon which their intellectual faculties become purified and strengthened. Men possessed of the highest intellectual endowments have ackm,w- ledged their deep indebtedness to the holy words of God, and have accepted them with the profoundest reverence and the warmest gratitude. 3. In the darkest seasons of their life "God's words" have cheered and comforted them, and through the sanctifying influence of these they have been rendered in times of severest trial so tranquil, and so calm in death that it may be said- .. The night-dews fall not gentlier on the gronnd, Nor weary, wom-ont winds expire eo soft." IL Goo's ." WORDS ,, " DO GOOD " TO THE UPBIClHT IN HEART. AS IT RESPECTS THEIR SOOIAL RELATIONSHIPS, 1. Their healthful influence is experienced in the home-life of the obedient. In such homes, selfishness, coldness, jealousy, anger, strife, are avoided; and love, sympathy, union, harmony, are continually cherished. God's words are daily recalled to mind, and the voice of praise and prayer continually ascends to their Author. "Good" is thus experienced. There is written on such abodes, in characters legible and golden, the inscription," Peace." Day by day the members of such households become united in a firmer bond to each other and to God. Yea, it is theirs to enjoy in the home of earth constant foretastes of the home of heaven. 2. And their healthful influence is experienced in the intercourse of man with man. God's words give special enforcement to the principle of mutual regard which should be cherished by the children of men. In proportion as the power of his utterances is realized will the servant be led to promote the best interests of the employer, and the employer to act generously towards even the humblest in his service. The holy teachings of our God impel those who truly accept them to minister to the necessities of the distressed, and to endeavour to alleviate human suffering and woe. Love is indeed the essence of all that he has spoken. And abounding in loving teachings for the guidance of its recipients in their socie.l and everyday life, God's "words" promote the good even of those who unconsciously come within the range of their influence. III. Goo's "WORDS" "DO GOOD" TO THE UPRIGHT IN REA.RT, AS IT RESPECTS THEIR POLITICAL INFLUENCE, 'fhe men who are under the sway of these pure words which God bath spoken are the true promoters of the national weal. Nations, in order to their real prosperity, need to hear and heed the voice of God speaking to them as to Israel of old, and saying, "And now what doth the Lord require of thee but to fear the Lord thy God, to walk in all his ways .•• for thy good 1 " (Deut. x. 12, 13).