for the swine-feeding and the husks, light for darkness, life for death._ 8. Jt causes stick misery. See the picture in the verse. It is that of a hunteil, worried sheep. II that were the condition of such sheep, instead of heing led by the shepherd by green pastures and lying down there by the still waters, what would its life be worth? And 10 with our souls ; their misery betrays itself in the haggard look or the flippant laugh, or the hideous attempt to stifle all thought and memory in the wild pursuit of pleasure, of business, or— worst of all — of sin. Conscience will rebuke ; memory will recall bitter times and moan, " Oh that it were with me as in times past!" Prayer and the means of grace seem unable to help ; we are powerless for good ; and the scorn of men of the world. Yes ; thus to forget is misery indeed. 4. And the danger is very great. For il we do not return, we are lost. The terrible words of the writer of the Epistle to the Hebrews (vi. 4—6) will be fulfilled in us, and then all hope is gone. " ye children of God, ye have a Resting-place; how is it that ye can forget it? Touch upon the things of nature, how they chide you I Bring to your remecabrance the birds of the air, the beasts of the forest, the dumb driven cattle accustomed to the yoke, and let them c' you ; for they fur.et not their resting-place. Carried away to tlie city the other d_j-; the dove was taken from its cage, and they let it loose, fastening to it the message that was to be sent. It mounted aloft, it whirled around awhile, that it might see where it was. It was far, fur away from the dove-cote ; it was found hundreds of miles away ; but whither did it fly ? Swift as an arrow from, the bow, it sought its resting-place with the infallibility of affection ; it found its nearest way to the cote where it had been reaied, and brought its message safely there. And even the dog which thou despisest, taken away from its master, carried many miles away, in darkness too, so that it might not know its way, has been known to swim rivers, cross byways it could not have iuiown, and then is found barking for admission at its master's door ; oh, so happy when it hears its master's voice again. It could not rest elsewhere. my heart, wilt thou let the pigeon outstrip thee in affection? art thou more doggish than a dog? Dost thou forget thy Lcird, when dogs remember well their masters? Let us learn from them and forget our Resting-place nevermore" (Spurgeon).
III. Earnest IKQOIKY SUGGESTED. 1, As to t?ie source of exush toTgetbtiness. Some- times it arises from mere thoughtlessness. Cf. the seed that fell by the wayside (Matt, xiii.). Or from the unsubdued heart, which likes not to retain the memory of God. Or from tlie cares of this world. The children of Israel when in Egypt could not listen to Moses by reason of the bitterness of their bondage. And yet more often from wicked worldliness. The hurry and drive, the everlasting rush of business, and the setting aside of everything that stands in its way, the determination to be rich at all hazards. Unbelief is also another cause, the materialistic doubts, the questioning that arises as to the trutli of there being any such resting-place at all. And the bewilderment caused by sin. The soul is stunned, dazed, and has lost its powers. 2, Am to its curt, "Let the wicked fonsake," etc. (Isa. Iv. 7). — 0.
Vers. 19, 20. — The forgiveness of God. These words are a beautiful setting forth of God's abundant pardon. Concerning it note how —
I. It brings unspeakable jot. In the former part of this chapter (cf. ver. 6) the prophet has pictured Israel and Judah like to a driven, hunted flick of sheep, never allowed to rest in peace, worried by fierce dogs, and hence in perpetual distress. But here there is a complete contrast. The flock leeds on Carmel and Bashan, the richest pastures. The most perfect rest is theirs. The lot of the flock told of in Fs. xxiii. 2 i:- theirs. So full of peace and joy are they. And the forgiveness of God does bring deep joy to the soul. The sense of such forgiveness is very delightful — the realization that God doth no more remember our sin. And the manifestation* of that forgiveness are also very blessed. For very generally God causes his providence to be gracious and kindly to that man whom he has pardoned. And the fruits of it are {3bo blessed, in the character, the peace, the energy, the strength, it imparts. But —
II. It IB CHALLENGED. " The iniquity of Israel shall besought for "(ver. 20). Thcrr are those who question very much the Divine forgiveness, who maintain that the sin is still where it was. Often the forgiven man himself does this. He cannot "read hi." title clear ; " he trembles at the future and cannot be persuaded that God has piit away his sin. He is filled with doubts and fears. But often the seeking after the
OH. L, 1—46.] THE BOOK OP THE PROPHET JEREMIAH. 281