II. Its chabactee as inferred from this. A love like this was as remarkable as it was vast, and had to be accounted for. A misunderstanding of its character had frequently involved the Jews in national crimes and disasters. 1. It was gracious and undeserved. There was nothing in the fathers to create such an affection ; as little was there anything in themselves. And even if there had, the constancy of it througli- out 80 many ages of idolatry and wickedness demonstrated that it could not be the reward of human desert. 2. It was merciful and righteous in its purpose. This it was which sanctified it and endued it with such moral power. A love of delight and com- placency, independently of the character of those upon whom it was bosUiwed, would have been weak and reprehensible. But the enduring mercy of God, whilst it is a con- tinual reproof to the impenitent, is full of encouragement and help to the weakest soul that truly seeks for righteousness. The misfortunes of Israel were as much the proofs of that love as the prosperity ; the one consistent purpose of redemption stringing to^iether the most diverse historic experiences. Did he choose Israel? it was that they " should be holy."— M.
Ver. 6. — The unity of the Church. Bphraira represented the ten tribes of Israel, and Jerusalem the tribes of Judah and Benjamin, the sections of the divided kingdom. In days to come this division was to be healed, as the " watchmen" or prophets of Israel would lead their people tu th temple at Jerusalem.
I. TUE IMPOBTANCE OF UNITY AMONGST God's PEOPLE IB SHOWN BY THE PRUMI-
HENCE GIVEN TO IT IN THIS PROPHECY. Dissension and strife betvveen the loUowem v[ truth is not only an unseemly spectacle, it is productive of misery and ruin. Judah and ihe ten tribes were too jealous of one another to unite in works of defence or internal administration. The rival temples of Gerizim and Jerusalem were mi.schievous in their influence, and, as time would accentuate differences, there would be danger ol the common truth being forgotten. The unity of the Church must ever be importunt tc those whose hearts are filled with the love of God. Christ's prayer (John xvii. -1) shows how dear the thought is to the purest and best. The children of God should be bound together in the closest bonds of sympathy and love. Only thus will their etiorts to evangelize the world be successful, and the glory of the kingdom of God be realized on earth.
II. By WHAT INFLUENCES WAS IT TO BE BRonGHT ABOUT? That there were various causes tending to this result is evident to every student of sacred history. But chief amongst these were : 1. The events of providence, by which they discovered, amidst exile and misery, a common brotherhood and faith, and attained to : 2. .4 more intense spiritual aim and life. The desire to meet with God overcame all prejudice and differ* ence, and revealed the true unity of IsraeL The nearer they were to God the nearer
2i THE BOOK OF THE PKOi'HET JEREMIAH, [oh. xxxi. 1— 4a
they became to one another, and the more they delighted in assembling together (Ezra iii. 1 ; Isa. ii. 3 ; Micah iv. 2). 3. Qod was to manifest himself in the person of his Son at Jerusalem. To the temple, then, all eyes were increasingly turned as the appointed time drew on. 4. Tliro ugh Christ's connection with the temple, local holy places wert abolished, and men sought God through him. (John it. 21.) — M.
Vers. 10 — 14. — The redemption of Israel a great and notable event. It is to be pro- claimed as ot universal import and consequence. The scattering of Israel may be alluded to in speaking of " the nations " and " the isles," or these may be addressed simply as onlookers of the mighty drama. What happens to God's people must concern the whole world.
I. As AN EXHIBITION OP DiviNB GBACB AND POWER. (Vers. 10, 11.) 1. It betokened the restoration of Qod's favour. (Ver. 10.) The term of punishment was to draw to a close, and the era of reconciliation to commence. Just as he had " scattered " the Israelites, now he was about to recall them to Canaan. In the one act, as in the other, ihe Divine intervention and its moral significance would be made manifest. The greatest judgments of God on earth have their limits. " He will not always chide, neither will he keep his anger for ever." How carefully should the times of Divine discipline and reconciliation be observed by those who are concerned in them ! 2. The power of Qod would be displayed in it. (Vers. 10, 11 ; cf. ver. 8.) As Sovereign. The words used, " He that scattered Israel will gather hini," would seem to mean — he that scattered Israel would alone know where to discover them again. The figure of a shepherd and his flock is also suggestive of skill and authority. As the restored unity and national life of Israel were to be a marvellous phenomenon, much more would the spiritual unity of God's people diroughout the world, of which the former was but the prototype. " The Lord knoweth them that are his." Another proof of the Divine power was afforded in the fact that Israel was to be delivered irom one " that was stronger than he." The power of Nebuchadnezzar was to be broken. So the world-power which prevents the true freedom and unity ol the Church from being realized will be destroyed. Indeed, already Christ has declared himself as " him that overcometh the world ; " and in view of tliis the " little flock " are not to be dismayed. The day is coming when all enemies will be pat under the feet of Christ, the Lord of the Church.
XL As BESULTINO VS HATIONAL AND BPIBITtJAL PR08PEBITT. (Vers. 12 — 14.) It