XL Uttered tooetheb at one time. There is a question as to which order ought to l»e observed in mentioning them. 1. But the selection is made upon an evident principle, viz. that of (nearly) contemporaneous relation to Israel. And whatever their relations amongst themselves or toward Israel at any given time, in general they are opposed to the kingdom of Qod, and represent the influences with which it has to do in its progress amongst men. They are " the world-powers " as opposed to the " powers of the world to come." 2. It is part of the scheme of Divine revelation to arraign from time to time the spirit of this world in its varying forms and phases. The world's life and history thus cease to be complex and involved, and are seen to resolve themselves into the principles of good and evil, darkness and light. The turmoil and movement are really those of « great duel — that of the kingdom of God against the kingdom of thi? world.
TIL Uttebkd finally and absolutely. It is destruction that is predicted, and as real historic powers we do not hear of them again. There is something very grand and solemn in this arraying and dismissal of the nations. Their political influence, military power, or commercial supremacy avails not against this imperative Word of the Most High. What is it but an anticipation of the judgment of the earth by the Son of mas
'JU. xtvi. 1— 28.] THE BOOK OF THE PROPHET JEREMIAH. 215
(Matt. XXV. 31) ? Has not our Saviour already ground for his claim, "I have OTercomt the world " ? The gospel of the kinG:dom of God is, therefore, no little thing done in a corner, but the economy of a world, and the law of life and death throughout all ages. — M.
Van. 27, 28.— ( nde on ch. xxx. 10, 11.)— M.
Vers. 1 — 28. — "Judgment" going on "from the house of Ood." The former chapters have shown judgment beginning at the house of God. This and the following chapters show that judgment going on.
I. Judgment begins at the house of God. This whole life here is more or less a time of trial. God never suffers his Church to be long at ease. But there are especial times of trial, as in persecutions, bereavements, uprisings of the power of sin. And sometimes, as in the former chapters is told, God sends his actual judgments and chas- tisements upon his people. Now, concerning this, note : 1. It is just that Judgment should begin at, etc. For God has a right to the reverence and obedience of his own people. If a father be not obeyed in his own house, where else should he be? More of light, privilege, and grace are given to his Church, and more of ill follows from their Bin ; and hence no wonder that judgment begins, etc. 2. And it is Jit and suitable. Who cares for the household as the father ? I hear a child in the streets use profane or foul language, and I am shocked that any child should use language like that. But if it were my child, with what horror and indignation should I be filled! All the father's affection clusters round and centres in his home, and hence he will spare no pains nor refuse any methods — even judfjments when they are needed, as once and again they are — whereby the highest well-being of his children may be secured. 3. And it is merciful likewise. It was not judgment, but mercy also, that "drove out the man " from Paradise. Some discipline sterner than Paradise afforded was needed now for the subdual of that evil nature which had become dominant in man. And that nature must be subdued and the better nature formed in us, or the high and holy purpose of God cannot be fulfilled in us.
II. But it dobs kot stop there. To show this is the purport of this and the fol- lowing chapters. 1. And how true this is generally I There is the sorrow of the world as well as that of the believer; and who would not rather have that ol' the believer than that of the world ? 2. And how much greater is the sorrow of the world J " If they do these things in the green tree, what," etc.? said our Saviour, "If the righteous scarcely be saved, v\here," etc.? said St. Peter. And that " their sorrows shall be multiplied" is inevitable. For they have no inward spring of consolation beneath them. There is so much more to be done in order to re-scue them froru their ways. The processes of agri- culture are sometimes severe; but what are they comiiared to the stern work needed for bringing the land into cultivation. The police of a well-ordered town cause some burden to the inhahitants; but what is that to martial law? They touch the all of the world, only the lesser good of the believer. And they stay so much longer time. There was no such restoration for the Gentile people told oi here as there was and especially will be for the Jewish race. The Church ol Christ has often been judged, but she has ever been restored, and will be yet more. But during her history, Rome, Venice, and poli- tical states within Christendom have risen, decayed, and disappeared. 3. How admoni- tory all this is 1 (1) To the child of the house of Ood. It bids him be thankful because he knows the motive, the measure, and the sure end of what he has to bear. Submis- sion that he may at once escape the heavy hand of Gnd and shelter in his heart. (2) To those not in the house uf Ood. It says, "Come in, that judgment may be turned into chastisement, wrath into fatherly corrrctiun, and that the gates of death when they close upon you may shut out the further approach of sorrow, and not, as if there be no repentance they will, shut you in with it and with innumerable other sorrows more than the first. ' Verily I say unto you,' saith our Lord, ' ye shall not come out thence until ye have paid the uttermost farthing.' " — 0.
Ver. 8. — Premature glorying. In this verse and in others we have the vain vauntings of Egypt. Thus far the judgments of God have been declared against nis people. Now, having begun at the house of God, judgment g(ies on to the Gentile nations, oq«
21« THE BOOK OF THE PROPHET JEREMIAH, [ch. xlvi. 1— 2a