The Pulpit Commentary — Hebrews — Section 297

angry with me, but bis power is limited, and he dies, and then he ·can injure me no lnnger; but it is a fearful thing to fall into the avenging hands of him whose power is unlimited and whose existence is endless-the bands of the almighty and ever-living God. Contrast these twofallings into the hands of God. I. THE ONE FALLS VOLUNTARILY INTO Goo's RANDS; THE OTHER, COMPULSORILY. David deliberately and freely elected to leave himself in the hands of the Lord• that was his choice. But the wilfully and persistently wicked will fall into his hands ~s the guilty culprit falls into the hands of the officers of the law. The strong hand of Divine juEtice will seize the hardened rebel against God, and from that itrip there will be no escape. Of our own free will Jet us now fall into his almighty and loving hands, II. THE ONE FALLS INTO ms RANDS IN BUMBLE PENITENCE; THE OTHER, IN RAR- DEJl,"ED IMPENITENCE. David was sincerely and deeply repentant of his sin (1 Chron. xxi. 8, 17). But in the case supposed in our Epistle the sinner wilfully and defiantly persists in known and terrible sin, and is arrested by the Omnipotent hands as a daring rebel. And we have sinned and deserved God's wrath. How shall we meet him? in penit.ence, or in presumption? "He is wise in heart, and mighty in strength," etc. (Job ix. 4). "Kiss the Son, lest he be angry," etc. (Ps. ii. 12). III. THE OJl,'E FALLS Th'TO HIS HANDS FIRMLY TRUSTING IN RIB MEROY; THE OTHER, DEEPLY DREADING ms WRATH. "David said ... for very great are his mercies." He wuld and did confide in the love of God even in his jud~ments. But when the des- perately wicked fall into God's hands it will be in abject terror (cf. ver. 27). Aii;ain let us imitate David, and trust God's mercy, not man's. "Ir you are accused, it is better to trust him for justice than to trust men; if you.are guilty, it is better to trust him for mercy than to trust men; if you are mise1·able, it is better to trust him for deliverance than men." IV. THE ONE FALLS INTO RIB CHASTISING HAND; THE OTHER, INTO BIB AVENGING HAJl,"D, David and his people were to be punished, but the punishment was paternal chastisement for their profit. They were to suffer that they might be saved as a nation. But very dilferent is the punishment of the wilful and persistent sinner (see vers. 26, 27, 30, 31). What is our relation to God? Penitence, or persistence in sin? Humble trust, or abject terror? We must fall into his hands somehow, How shall it be? " Hast thou an arm like God?" Let it be thus- ., A guilty, weak, and helpless worm. On thy kind arms I fall ; Be thou my Strength and Righteousness, My Saviour, and my All." (Watts.) W.J. Vers. 32-M.-The recollection of past sufferings an encouragement to present stead- fa.stness. "But call to remembrance the former days," etc. Our subject divides itself into two main branches. I, SUFFERINGS ENDURED FOB THE lllAINTENANCE OF THE FAITH IN THE PAST, 1. These sufferings were ef variou,s kinds. (1) Sufferings in their own persons. (a) Infliction of physical pain. "Being made a gazing-stock by afflictions." The afflic- tions or tribulatioIJ.s, arose from active and bitter persecutions. And these were inflicted (as the word translated "gazi11.g-stock," or spectacle, clearly indicates) in the theatre before the assembled multitude, that to the physical pain might be added the sense of shame. (b) Suhjection to undeserved reproaches. "Being made a gazing- stock by reproaches." They were publicly assailed by the scornful jeers of their per- secutors. The people of God have frequently borne the bitterest anguish by reason of the malignant and contemptuous utterances of their adversaries (cf. Ps. xii. 5-9; xiii. 3, 10). (c) Spoliation of their worldly posses~ions, "Ye took joyfully the spoiling of your goods." Ebrard suggests that by this "we are to understand whai we find still at this day taking place in the sphere of the Jewish mission. When a Jew snows himself determined to become a Christian, he is disinherited by his rela- tions, his share in the property is withheld from him, his credit and every source of gain withdrawn ; he falls into a state of complete destitution." (2) Sufferings in sympathy with other sufferers. "Becoming partakers with them that were so used, OH, X, 1-39,] THE EPISTLE TO THE HEBREWS. 287