1. That sooner and later are not alike, in respect of eternity.
2. That times of ignorance and of knowledge are not alike.
3. That before and after voluntary commission of known iniquity, are not alike.
4. That before and after contracted naughty habits, are not alike.
5. That the time of God's gracious and particular visitation and the time when God withdraws his gracious presence and assistance, are not alike.
6. The flourishing time of our health and strength, and the hour of sickness, weakness, and approach of death, are not alike.
7. Now and hereafter, present and future, this world and the world to come, are not alike.
— Benjamin Whichcot.
Verse 7. This supposition, If ye will hear , and the consequence inferred thereupon, harden not your hearts , doth evidently demonstrate that a right hearing will prevent hardness of heart; especially hearing of Christ's voice, that is, the gospel. It is the gospel that maketh and keepeth a soft heart.— William Gouge.
Verses 8-11.
1. Israel's fearful experiment in tempting God.
2. The awful result.
3. Let it not be tried again.
— C.A. Davis.
Verse 10. The error and the ignorance which are fatal.
Verse 11. The fatal moment of the giving up of a soul, how it may be hastened, what are the signs of it, and what are the terrible results.
Verses 10-11. The kindling, increasing, and full force of divine anger, and its dreadful results.