Jeremiah 31:8,9

DISCOURSE: 1070
THE CHRISTIAN PILGRIMS

Jeremiah 31:8. Behold, I will bring them from the north country, and gather them from the coasts of the earth, and with them the blind and the lame, the woman with child, and her that traraileth with child together: a great company shall return thither. They shall come with weeping, and with supplications will I lead them: I will cause them to walk by the rivers of waters in a straight way wherein they shall not stumble; for I am a father to Israel, and Ephraim is my firstborn. [Note: In the foregoing Discourse this passage is treated more particularly in reference to the Jews: in this, as applicable to the Church at large.] THE language in which the prophets speak of the return of the Jews from Babylon, necessitates us to look to some other event for the full accomplishment of their predictions. In a measure, they were fulfilled in the conversion of so many myriads to God in the apostolic age: but they will receive their final completion in the Millennial period, when all flesh shall see the salvation of God. In speaking of those whom God would bring back from their captivity, and by whom he would re-establish his worship upon Mount Zion, the prophet has respect to those who should come out from their earthly bondage to serve God in the Church of Christ. He here gives us a highly figurative description of,

I. Their character—

If we should select those who were of all others most incapable of undertaking a journey of many hundred miles through a trackless desert, we should certainly fix on those mentioned in the text: yet those are the persons specified by God as chosen by him for that very purpose. We cannot doubt but that something peculiarly important is intended to be conveyed under this striking representation. It implies then, we apprehend,

1. That there are no discouragements which God will not enable us to surmount—

[Persons, when exhorted to begin their journey heavenward, are ready to urge the peculiarity of their situation and circumstances, either as an excuse for their not attempting the work, or as a reason for procrastination. But however specious their pleas may be (and certainly none can appear stronger than those which the persons referred to in the text might offer), God would have them to know, that, under his auspices, the feeblest person in the universe may undertake the hardest services, assured that “through Christ strengthening him he shall be able to do all things [Note: Philippians 4:13.].” “The blind shall see out of obscurity and out of darkness [Note: Isaiah 29:18.];” “the lame man shall leap as an hart [Note: Isaiah 35:5.];” “the travailing woman shall be delivered without pain” or consequent weakness [Note: Isaiah 66:7.]; the very dead shall arise out of their graves, to perform the functions of life [Note: Ezekiel 37:1.]; nor shall any thing be impossible to them that believe [Note: Mark 9:23.].

Let none then excuse themselves on account of ignorance or weakness, or wait for a more convenient season; but rather let all with one heart obey the call of God, and go forth “strong in the Lord and in the power of his might.” As on the departure of Israel from Egypt “there was not one feeble person among their tribes [Note: Psalms 105:37.],” so neither shall there be one at this time whose “strength shall not be according to his day [Note: Deuteronomy 33:25.].”]

2. That God has chosen those who are in the most discouraging circumstances, on purpose that his own power may De the more displayed and glorified—

[If none but the strong and active were to enter on the Christian course, or none but the moral and the wise were to embrace the truth, we should be ready to ascribe the glory to man. But God has reserved all the glory to himself, by taking the poor and ignorant and vile in preference to others [Note: 1 Corinthians 1:26.], and by converting them to himself through the instrumentality of the weakest means [Note: 2 Corinthians 4:7.]. Apparent discouragements therefore may rather operate to increase our expectations of more effectual aid; since the weaker we are in ourselves, the more will Christ’s strength be perfected in our weakness [Note: 2 Corinthians 12:9.]. Instead of pleading our unfitness and imbecility as reasons for declining the path of duty, we should rather glory in our unfitness, “that the power of Christ may rest upon us [Note: 2 Corinthians 12:10.].”]

Curious as the description of the persons is, it is not more so than the representation of,

II.

Their journey—

Many there have been, and infinitely more shall there hereafter be, even “a multitude that no man can number,” who shall be brought to Zion. But how shall they come? Their journey is here described,

1. In its commencement—

“Weeping and supplication” well become those who are “turning from the power of Satan unto God.” How can they reflect on their former bondage without the deepest humiliation, or without crying mightily to God for pardon and deliverance? How can they stir one step towards Zion, and not be overwhelmed with admiring and adoring thoughts of God’s goodness to them, and entreating that the good work which he has begun may be carried on and perfected in their souls? The more ardent their desire is after God, the more will weeping and prayer abound in their experience [Note: Zechariah 12:10. with Jeremiah 50:4.]

2. In its progress—

[As the journey from Babylon to Judea was both wearisome and dangerous, especially for persons circumstanced as the Jews were in their return to Zion, so the Christian’s path lies through many difficulties and dangers. But God promises him the things he so much needs; refreshing consolation, and unerring direction.

There are times when the “souls of God’s people are discouraged by reason of the way [Note: Numbers 21:4.Psalms 107:4.].” Their trials and temptations overwhelm their spirit; and they would “utterly fail,” if not succoured by seasonable communications of grace and peace. But God has provided a Comforter for them, even the Holy Ghost, whom he will send into their drooping and desponding souls, and by whoso agency he will revive and strengthen them [Note: Isaiah 43:19; Isaiah 40:29.]. None can be in so distressed a state, but they shall have “rivers” of consolation at hand for their refreshment [Note: Isaiah 41:17.].

Is their path peculiarly intricate and slippery? God will “make their way plain before their face:” “the rough places shall be plain, and the crooked paths straight.” In seasons of difficulty “they shall hear a voice behind them saying, This is the way, walk ye in it [Note: Isaiah 30:21; Isaiah 35:8.].” And if at any time their foot slide, he will put “his everlasting arms underneath them,” and uphold them that they may not fall.

Of these seasonable communications the Christian may be assured, because of the near relation in which he stands to God himself. “God is his father, and considers him as his firstborn [Note: Exodus 4:22.].” Whatever therefore is suited to that high relation shall certainly be imparted to him, in such a measure, and such a manner, as shall most conduce to his eternal welfare.]

Address—
1.

Those who are yet in a state of bondage—

[Whatever diversity there may be in the states and characters of those who return to Zion, there is not one who does not see abundant reason to class himself among those mentioned in the text: and if we have never felt ourselves in a state resembling theirs, we may be assured that we are yet in bondage to sin and Satan. Behold then, to such persons we have a message from God himself: as God’s “watchmen, we would cry, Arise ye, and let us go up to Zion, to the Lord our God [Note: ver. 6.]!” Make no excuses, no delays. The Lord Jesus Christ has “proclaimed liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound.” Be not then like those in Babylon, who, because of their comfortable settlements there, sat down regardless of the Holy Land; but put yourselves under the guidance of your Divine Leader; brave the dangers and difficulties of the way; and look to the honour and felicity of serving him, as an ample recompence for all that you can do or suffer in the ways of his appointment.]

2. Those who are travelling towards Zion—

[Adored be God, who “has brought you out with a mighty hand and a stretched-out arm!” But beware how you ever think of returning to your former bondage: for “then will your last end be worse than your beginning [Note: 2 Peter 2:20.].” You must expect difficulties: your faith and patience will be tried: it is “through faith and patience that you must inherit the promises [Note: Hebrews 6:12.].” But, when God is for you, you need not care who, or what, is against you. Only “encourage yourselves in the Lord your God:” “in the mount of difficulty the Lord will be seen [Note: Genesis 22:14.]:” though you are no better armed than Gideon’s band with their lamps and pitchers, you shall put to flight all that oppose your progress [Note: Judges 7:20.]: and though you are as unfit for exertion as a travailing woman, you shall reach in safety the Zion that is above.]