III. The abuse of poweb will be terribly avenged. In the case of Babylon it involved it in complete destruction. The influence which had in part been a Divipe creation rapidly degenerated into a merely human and sinful one. 1. Because the con- sciousness of power tempts to greater arrogance and depravity} and: 2. Because all powtr has involved in it corresponding moral capacity, 3. It is tlte perversion and abuse of a gracious privilege, — M.
Vers. 4, b.~Oodly sorrow. In these verses we have given ng not a few of the characteristics of real repentance — that repentance which never needs to be repented of. Note some of these as seen in Israel and Judah.
I. They actually set out to seek the Lobd. The time of thinking abont it and talking of it was over. All indecision on the matter had ceased, and we see them •rising and going on this blessed journey.
OH. u 1—46.1 THE BOOK OF THE PROPHET JKREMIAH. 2S1
n. Tears. Had there not been tbe actual setting out, these tenrs might not havj counted for much. But it is said they were " going and weei ing." 'I'no immy are quite capable of the weeping, but the other and the far more imiiortnnt | art they fail in altogether. But when the fruits go along with the signs of g<">l)- si.noiv, then those signs are of real worth, telling as they do of the broken and cuntritu lipirit with which God is ever well pleased.
nL Sinking op all diffebenoes and old eivalries. Unity taking the place o{ strife. The old rivals, Israel and Judah, were united now. And the giving up of former grudges and grievances is a real sign of a genuine work of grace in the soul.
IV. Inquiby. This was an open and practical acknowledgment of their former wrong, a real confession like the " Father, I have sinned," of tiie returning prodigal.
v. The Zionwabd face. Ver. 5 : " With their faces thitherwurd," it is said. Tliero are many who talk about religion, but with their faces all the while world-ward. What does our common talk, our every-day life, our ordinary spirit and conduct, declare? They show which way our face really is, no matter what our tears or inquiries have been.
VI. Stibbino onb anotheb up towards the good way. " Come, and let us," etc. (ver. 6). When we see men trying to win others for God, to lead men not away from him, as heretofore, but to him, we conclude that that man's repentance is real.
VII. Solemn covENANTDta with God. . The value of such vows and covenants is that they render going back from God more difficult. They help to steady the will and confirm the wavering purpose. They commit us to the right side. It is a kind of breaking down the bridges behind us, a burning of the boats, so that the soldieis started on the enterprise may not be able to recross the river. Hence we urge such open and solemn avowal, cunsecration and covenanting with God. It tends to make your adhesion to God " perpetual," and your holy purpose to serve him far less likely to " be forgotten." Thus was it with Israel and Judah — never since have they fallen into idolatry, and though yet " the veil is before their faces," they are far other than what they were. And in our own Churches such consecration has again and again been greatly blessed. — 0.
Ver. 6. — Forgetting our BesUng-place. This chapter was written for the comfort of exiles in Babylon. They were told that their oppression was not to be for ever. " God giveth songs in the night." He will not utterly cast down. But before he gives comfort he clearly shows the people their sin. And one chief part of that sin was that they had forgotten their resting-places. So many generations had lived and died in the neglect of Goil, their Resting-place, that he had become forgotten by them. The habit of resorting to him was bioken ; other gods had been chosen instead. And now, in the sorrow of their exile, they knew not where to turn. Treating the subject generaiiy, we note —
I. A PBBCious tbuth implied. There is a Resting-place provided for us. Weary we often are, by reason of conscience and temptation and earthly trouble and fear. But there is a resting-place for us. " We who have believed " in the Lord Jesus Christ " do enter into rest." His one sacrifice giv es rest as to the past, his intercession ensures grace sufficient for all the present and the future too, and his resurrection is the jJedge that "he will redeem " my " life from destruction, and crown" me " with loving-kind- ness and tender mercy."
II. A SAD AOonsATlON MADE. That we "have forgotten," etc. Now, this is very grievous ; for : 1. It involves deep ingratitude. Think at what a cost our rest was pur- chased for us. Our panion, peace, sanctiflcation, and life eternal were not the result of a mere wish on the part of God, but they cost the life and death of the Son of God. Fonder that vast price paid for redemption, and think what must that heart be that for- gets all this — what Christ has done for us, is doing, and will do. " The ox knoweth his owner, and the ass," etc. (Isa. i. 3). 2. And it is such folly. For no more surely do we need the bread that piarisheth for our bodily life than we do " the Bread of life," which is Christ, for the sustenance of our spiritual life. And this not mere theory, but all who have ever known him as our Rest, know what a Best — how gracious, how peifect, how constant and sure I — he is. And to neglect, abandon, forget that ! — " Can,th« force »f folly further go ? " It is an exchange of Eden for the wilderness, of the father's hous#
282 THE BOOK OF THE PROPHET JEREMIAH. [oa.L.1— 46.