HOMILETICS. Vers. _1, ~.-The evil summoned to repentance. Having declared fully and faithfully the D1vme Judgruents, the prophet changed bis tone, and turnincr to another aspect of truth and blending compassion with severity, he tend~rly ent;eated _those who had become so estranged from God to return to him with all their hearts. This is how he appeals to his godless fellow-countrymen. "Gather yourselves,n etc. (vel"s. 1, 2). Notice- L THE HARDEl\"ING EFFECT OF SIN. Evil hardens those who indulge in it, even aa the fire hardens tbe material brought under its influence. You read such words as Jer. ii. 25; xviii 12; Zeeb. vii. 12, and you cannot help being impressed with the hardening tendency of sin. So here (ver. 1) note the words, "0 nation not desired." The word rendered "desired" means "to turn pale," "to become white with shame." It is the same word used by Isaiah (xxix. 22), "Jacob shall not now be ashamed, neither shall his face now wax pale." Indulgence in sin renders men stubborn and stiff-necked; There is a spiritual condition expressively described as " past feeling." The heart may become hardened, and the conscience seared. "Take heed," etc. (Heb. iii. 13). II. Goo's INFTh"ITE CONDESCENSION AND GRACE IN MAKING ANY APPROACH OR APPEAL TO THOSE THUS CONFIBIIIED IN EVIL-DOING. He might have left such to reap the full consequences of their transgressions, whereas in truth, all down the ages his seeking love has been going out after such with a view to their restoration, and even his chastisements have had the same merciful intention.· 1. We see· this seeking love of God manifested in ancient time in the raising up of these prophets, men full of faith and power ; bold, courageous, daring; and in sendinp; these forth to expostulate with the ce.llous and impenitent, if perchance they might be led "to break off sin by ricrbteousness." 2. In the Incarnation. He who spake in time past to the fathers by the prophets, subsequently spoke unto them by his Son (Heb. i. 1). "The Son of man came to seek and to save that which was lost." 3. In the institution of the Christian ministry, sending forth his ambassadors to proclaim to the estranged the conditions of reconciliation and peace (2 Cor. v. 20). ,. Ill. Goo's CALL ADDRESSED TO EVIIrDOERS IS A CALL TO REPENTANCE. "Gather yourselves together, yea, gather together" (ver. 1); i.e. "Bend yourselves," bend low in contrition in view of transgression-repent, and submit yourselves to God. • The nature of repentance must be understo,'d in order to this. There enters into .it the element of sorrow; the deep humbli1.:g of the soul ; yet sorrow alone does not con- stitute it; there must accompany this the breaking a.way from sin, and the turning unto God. "Repentance towards God, and faith i~ the Lor~ ?esus Christ" ar_e sacred and imperative duties e.nd obligations; yet there 1s no merit ID them, but the heart must rest entirely in the mercy of God, which is so large t~at man has only to bend his heart before God-to be willing-and God's all-regcneratmg power shall be experienced, Then "bend yourselves, bend, ye people, that do not grow pale" (ver. 1). IV. Tms SPIRIT OF PENl'l'ENCE A.ND SUBMISSION TO THE Lonn Gon SHOULD BE CHEI:ISHED WITHOUT DELAY. (Ver. 2.) A British general, on being asked when he could be ready to take the command of the forces, answered, "Now." He knew as OIi, II. 1-16,] THE BOOK OF ZEPHA.NIAH. 31
a soldier that the coll of duty did not o.dmit of delay, When a course i8 felt by us to be right, we ought at onco to pursue it. "What is' now'? 'A bri~ht presence.' Wrestle with it, and say, 'I will not let thee go except thou bless me'! 'A sweet garden.' Go, gather in it the fruits of life I 'A true temple.' Bow down in it, and consecrate yourself to him who has placed you within its shrine! 'A living rescue.' Use it, that you may run into the ark of safety I 'A rich banquet.' Now the fea8t is spread; 'Come, eat, 0 friends, drink, 0 beloved I yea, eat and live for ever'! " (Martin 'fupper's 'Proverbial Philosophy,' p. 204). "Now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation" (2 Cor. vi. 2).