The Pulpit Commentary — Zephaniah — Section 10

proclaims this to be 11n impossibility (Josh. xxiv. 19-25; 1 Sam. vii. 3; 1 Kings xviii. 21 ; Ezek. xx. 39). (2) Proverbial sayings of different nations recognize this. "Lay not two saddles on one horse;" "A true subject serves not two sovereigns;" "Ye cannot go east and west at the same time." (3) Men do not attempt this in the ordinary affairs of life, but concentrate their energies upon one purpose. (4) One plain reason accounts for the impossibility, viz. the service of God and that of Malcham, or mammon, or worldliness, are so thoroughly opposite in their nature that there can be no union. "You cannot be heavenly and worldly too. If I am heavenly I sanctify the world, and if I am worldly I debase the heavenly. You are therefore one of two things, and there is no mixture in your character." 3. To attempt it can only result in defeat and disgrace. They who sought to worship God and Malcham were to be "cut off." Their conduct met with the Divine displeasure, and was followed by such manifestations of his disapproval as filled them with confusion and shame. Other instances: Meraz (Judg. v. 23); the young ruler (Matt. xix. 22); Peter in the high priest's hall (Matt. xxvi. 75). II. A MORE EXCELLENT COURSE OF ACTION. 1. weigh well the respective claims of God and of Malcham, Christ and mammon. This is the way in which men wisely a.et in reference to temporal things, and they should also act thus in reference to religion. 2. Yield yourself faithfully, wholly, and irrevocably to the master whose claim you feel to be the strongest, "If the Lord be God, follow him; but if Baal, then follow him." Multitudes, as they have thus reflected upon the claims of Christ, have felt these to be paramount; as they have thought of his bright and beautiful teaching, his wonderful, self-sacrificing human life, and as, gathering at Calvary, they have contemplated his humiliation unto death, they have been constrained to acknowledge bis undoubted right to their loving confidence and entire service, and, yielding themselves up to him without reservation, have found in so doing happiness and peace. Ver. 6.-The sin of apostasy. "And them that are turned back from the Lord.~ Some biblical expositors regard the whole of this verse as referring to one class, even to such as are utterly indifferent and unconcerned in reference to God's claims; whilst other commentators regard this class as referred to in the latter part of the verse, and view the expression, "And them that a.re turned back from the Lord" as an allusion to those who, having professed loyalty to God and his truth, had allowed themselves to be drawn away a!l.d to walk no more with him. Concerning this sin of apostasy, note- I. THE CAUSES WHICH HAVE RESULTED IN MEN FALLING INTO THIS SIN. 1. Temporal success. Favourable progress in the affairs of this life has proved the ruin of ma1:>.y spiritnally. They have set their hearts upon their treasures, and have bowed down before the golden image (Deut. xxxii. 15). 2. Temporal adversity. "The cares of life," as well as" the deceitfulness of riches," will often choke the Word. The very troubles which should unite men to God by a closer bond (for if all else fail, he abides) have been permitted to drive them away from the Source of consolation and help. 3. Mental difficulties. Forgetful that Truth is boundless and immeasurable, and that after the most earnest research there must remain profound depths yet to be explored, the inquirer has wanted to understand fully now, and, failing in this, has, through pride of intellect, brought himself into a state of mental unsettledness, so that even the plainly declared truths of revelation have lost their charm to him, and he has taken shelter in unbelief. 4. Worldliness; by which term is meant love of the untrue and unsubstantial; regard only for the outward, the transient, the unreal; the world becoming invested with ruling power over the man, instead of the man reigning over it. So Paul wrote of Demas, that he had yielded here (2 Tim. iv. 10). II. THE INTENSE BADNESS ASSOCIATED WITH THIS COURSE OF ACTION. 1. It involves the violation of the most solemn and saored vows. 2. It is attended by separation from the most holy and helpful associations. 3. It hinders the progress of the cause of God. 4. It grieves and dishonours the Lord. !If. THE SPIRIT WIIICH SHOULD BE OHERISHED BY THE FAITHFUL IN REFERE:SCE TO THOSE THAT ARE TURNED BACK FROM THE LORD. 1. There must be no palliation of their sin. Zephaniah uttered burning words of condemnation with reference to these transgressors, and we shall not really help such by making light of their sin. 2. Yet 8 THE BOOK OF ZEPHANIAH. [OH, I, 1-18,