and they must all be considered and fairly treated before redemption Is possible. But w« have^no weak Advocate, God has gone through the whole labour and sacrifice. He has paid" the price — even the gift of his Son to die for us. 2. The fruits. (1) Rut. " That he may give rest to the land." This was the greatest blessing to people who had been harried by invasions and wearied with exile. Best is what the world most wants in its war and confusion, its toil and its sorrow. " Peace on earth " is the gospel benediction. Rest is what the soul most needs — rest from sin, from self, from fear and doubt and wearing grief. Rest is the blessing Christ offers to those who will " come unto "him. Heaven is rest. (^) The overthrow of foes. Babylon, the troubler of the nations, will be disquieted. Christ, the Rock of salvation, is to his enemies " a stone of stumbling and a rock of offence." In the spiritual redemption of Christians the spiritual foes are vanquished ; sin and death, the last enemies, are slain. We can only have rest to our souls in proportion as our sins are conquered. So the Redeemer who brings baliu for our Mill's wounds brings a sword for its sina.
HOMILIES BY VARIOUS AUTHORS
Vers. 2 — 5. — IsraeVs ddiverance. This is described as twofold — the hlstorfcal cb"
cumstances and the correlative spiritual experience. Apart from its verification in the case of ancient Israel, it is true to the actual process of many an individual conversion.
L A PEOVIDBNTIAL EVENT. The outward circumstances of life are altered. External tyrannies are brought suddenly to an end, and the children of God are set free to serve God or not as they please. In every life there are some such occurrences. The spell of evil is broken and moral freedom rendered possible. And this is ofien brought about impressively, with the stamp of the supernatural upon it. Especially was it so with Israel's escape from Babvlon, because of the permanent iufluence that event was to have on the spiritual history of mankind. 1. It was of world-wide import. Babylon was the central world-power, holding in iron subjection many nations. As a universal empire it is to be broken in pieces, and its sentence is not only announced, but published abroad as an evangel to the nations. 2. Of evidently Divine authorship. The clear prophecies; the moral recompense involved in its fall, and so wonderfully corresponding to its deserts, and the vast spiritual consequences accruing therefrom, make this indubitable. And equally, we may be sure, was the hand of God visible to those who were the subjects of the deliverance (see Ps. cxxiv.).
II. A SPIRITUAL BXPEEiBNOB. This corresponds to the external circumstances and gives them their real significance and effect. 1. Sorrow for pust offences. " Weeping * — ^tears of grief and shame. The marvellous grace of God has broken their hearts. Tears, too, of joy and gratitude. 2. Beturn to the true Ood. Idolatry was henceforth and for ever forsaken. The sublimity and spirituality of God have taken possession of imagination and heart. Each step of the way to Palestine is a further removal from the S3 which took them away. And it is not the carnal delights of the promised land which constitute its attraction. It is Zion they seek, the house of the liord, that they may rebuild her ruins and restore her worship. This proves repentance real. 3. Rtnewal of the covenant. In this is repentance perfected. It is to be a new cove- nant — more spiritual, vital, and therefore eternaL The awful years of visitation have left an undying memory ; but the interposition and grace of God have written hii covenant upon their heart. — M.
Vers. 4, 6. — " To Zion, with their facet thitherward." A picture of genuine repent ance. The action and attitude suit the profession. The point of attraction is Zion, not Carmel or Bashan. Keiientanoe is —
I. Unreal. When the outward behaviour contradicts the profession, or the conduct exhibited is only conventional or intended to deceive. It is either : 1. Half-hearted, not having its root in deep conviction of sin, and unaccompanied by thorough separa- tion from carnal interests. The looks of the heart are alternately attracted towards Zion and towards the world, whilst the I'cet go to and fro or stand still. Or : 2. Hypih eriiical. When there is no conviction and the behaviour U a pretence. Whwi worldly aims are cloaked by religious professiun.
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11. Real. " Their faces thitherward." The attitude and movement correspor/d with the profession. Every preparation is made to go away from " Babylon," and the journey is commenced at once. Grief and heavenly longing are the grand motives.
1. Genuine sorrow. " Weeping " as they go. 2. Pttj-e aspiration. They seek Zion. " Seek ye first the kingdom of God and his rijihteousncss," etc. 3. Resolute endeavour. The return is at once made, notwithstanding its diHicultios and Hangers. Only in Palestine can the perfect theocracy, the spiritual future, be realizeil, i.e. in a true Church fellowship, which they hasten to realize. 4. Inward and eternal fidelity. Covenant relationship is renewed. A new spiritual covenant, whose provisions are written on tlieir hearts, is entered into. They are no longer tlieir own, but the servants of God, "bought with a price." 5. Perfect unanimity. Both Israel and Judah. A guarantee this of success and thoroughness. The lesson has been learnt by aU, and united Israel is " holiness to the Lord." — M.
Vers. 6, 7, 17 — 20. — Israd as lost sheep. This ii a favourite theocratic title of Israel — the sheep of God's pasture. In itsilf an appeal to the traditional pastoral character of the nation, and to the marvellous guidance of their forefathers by Jehovah through the wilderness. He was the Shepherd of Israel. The extent of their apostaijf is here described.