(vor. 7), God had demanded of men? Under one aspect, as before shown by us, "repentcmce towards" himself. Under another aspect, so it seems here explained in vors. 9, 10, only what WBB p;ood for themselves. How many blessings, e.g., if God'a laws had been really kept, and their fathers had only done e.a God asked of them, wonld have been found in the land I We may describe them as being chiefly four, vi,,. (1) perfect and universal fair11ess of dealing; (2) perfect kindness and generosity of dealing, as in brotherly love; (3) special and peculiar kindness of dealing to those (" the stranger," etc.) needing it most; and (4) total absence, in any cause whatever, of ill will in the heart. Could anythinl!: have been better? So true is it (Rom. vii. 12), that "the Law" is not only" holy," or worthy of God; and" just," or fair in its require- ments; but "good," also, or kind in its object, and intended, in fact, for men's highest benefit (compare, as a partial illustration, Mark ii. 27; and, in one sense also, Ezek. xx. 11, 13, 21; and especially Deut. vi. 24; x. 12, 13). II. A STUBBORN REFUSAL. How had this message of goodness and mercy been received in the days referred to? 1. With every O'ldward sign of dishonour. Such as (1) marked indifference, "refusing to hearken" (comp. Isa. xxx. 9-11); (2) open aversion, "pulling away the shoulder," as though saying, when special effort was made to gain their attention, "I am giving attention to something else; " and (3) utter con- tempt, "stopping their ears," as much as to say, "I had rather hear nothing than listen to you" (comp. Acts xxii. 22). 2. With every inward feeling of rebellion to correspond. This shown: (1) By their dread of its power. Notwithstanding their extreme unwillingness to hear, something of the meaning of God's gracious message would reach their understandings. Even if so, if they could help it, it should not penetrate to their consciences. So well were they aware of its power (see the words in ver. 12, "As an adamant stone, lest [in this sense] they should hear"). What a testimony on their part I Wbat a precaution! (2) By their defiance of its authority. How many, as here implied, its claims to reverential submission!. As being essentially a "law," or command; as containing "words" of command from the '' Lord of hosts" himself, whom so many obeyed ; as being his command in so express a manner, because delivered by messenj1;ers known to be appointed and inspired by himself (see, again, ver. 12). All this in addition to the fact a.cove noted of its being a message for "good.'' Yet to all this their unconquerable, i.e." adamant," obstinacy refused to submit. III. A TERRIBLE DOOM. When such condescending goodness met with so perverse a return, what could ultimately ensue but "great wrath"? According to the mora.l laws of God's spiritual kingdom, which are as fixed, could we only believe it, as the natural laws of his physical creation, here was a clear case of cause and effect. This is declared to us: 1. By the nature of the judgments. See how they correspond to the offence. Israel had refused to hear God. So God now refuses to hear them (ver. 13; Mark iv. 24; Gal. vi. 7, 8; Hos. viii. 7). 2. By the sentence ef the Judge. God speaks of all that afterwards came upon them as being inflicted (1) by his authority (" I scattered them," etc.; (2) on their account(" The land was made desolate after them"); and even, (3) in a certain sense, by the instrumentality of their transgressions(" They laid the land desolate ; " comp. also Hos. xiii. 9 ; Mai. i. 9). From this review of that portion of the past history of Israel here referred to, we get a sample of many other histories as they will appear at the last. This is true : 1. Of many individual lives. Lifelong entreaty, lifelon~ forbearance, lifelong rebellion, followed up by more than lifelong death, impossible as that sounds,-such will be in brief, and yet in full also, the history of many a soul. 2. Of many individual communities; both nations and Churches. How many cities, kingdoms, empires, and races, once great on the earth, might have all that is really essential to their history told in a precisely similar way (see, for one example, Gen. xiii. 13; xviii. 20, 21; xix. 9; 2 Pet. ii. 8; Jude 7) I See a succession of examples in the succession of world-empires in Daniel. See, also, as to religious communities, similar lessons taught by comparison of past and present condition of some of the Apocalyptic Churches. 3. Of the whole world of the ungodly. What a long history of gracious messages and of stubborn refusals will be found at the end of the whole completed history of the race of Adam aud Eve (Rom. iii. 10, end; Jude 14, 16) I 72 THE BOOtt or ZECHARTAfl.. [on. vn. 1-14.
HOMILIES BY VARIOUS AUTHORS. Verfi. 1-14.-God and men. I. THE UNITY OF Goo's PURPOSE. God's thoughts do not Yary, though he varies his methods. His end for nations and individuals is always the same-&dvancement, not merely in knowledge and culture, but in mornl goodness. II. THE MERCIFULNESS OF Goo's WARNINGS. At no time hath God left himself wit.bout witnesses. By word and providence and in countless ways his warnings come. We see this in the past. (Ver. 7, "former prophets.") So in the present. Every mercy has a voice calling for thankfulness. Every chastisement has a summons to moral thoughtfulness and prayer. 1'here is no excuse for continuance in sin. 111. THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF Goo's JUOGMENTS. Persistence in transgression must bring punishment. God's laws fulfil themselves. Every rejection of God's counsels, every refusal of God's offers, every slighting of God's love, works for evil, blinding, hardening, alienating, bringing dire ruin nearer. Judgment is God's strange work, but it must come. "The pleasant land le.id desolate."-F.