_What mean ye, that ye use this proverb concerning the land of Israel, saying, The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the children’s teeth are set on edge?_ SINS OF FATHERS VISITED ON THEIR CHILDREN ONLY IN THIS WORLD “The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the children’s teeth are set on edge.”... [ Continue Reading ]
_Behold, all souls are Mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is Mine: the soul that sinneth, it shall die._ THE GOSPEL OF THE EXILE INCARNATE IN EZEKIEL (with Ezekiel 36:25; Ezekiel 37:14):--Every living “word” must be made flesh, and dwell among us; live in a human and perso... [ Continue Reading ]
_Have I any pleasure at all that the wicked should die?_ A SUMMONS TO REPENTANCE If we spare not our sins, but slay them with the sword of the Spirit, God will spare us. The words are uttered by a figurative interrogation, in which there is more evidence and efficacy, more life and convincing force... [ Continue Reading ]
_When the righteous turneth away from his righteousness._ THE EVIL OF APOSTASY 1. There is a righteousness which men may turn from. There is an opinionative righteousness (Luke 18:9; Matthew 23:28); many think themselves righteous, and appear so to others: there is also a duty, a moral, or legal ri... [ Continue Reading ]
_Yet ye say, The way of the Lord is not equal._ Hear now, O house of Israel; Is not My way equal? Are not your ways unequal? ON THE UNEQUAL DISTRIBUTION OF HAPPINESS AND MISERY Let us suppose an attentive observer to take a general view of the situation in which mankind is placed. The first thing... [ Continue Reading ]
_When the wicked man turneth away from his wickedness that he hath committed._ THE CONVERSION OF A SINNER I. The wicked ought to reform. 1. Sin is contrary to reason. (1) A sinful action is discreditable to any person whatsoever. (2) It is grievous, painful, and intolerable to bear the effects... [ Continue Reading ]
_O house of Israel, are not My ways equal?_ SCRIPTURE APPEALING TO THE REASON AND CONSCIENCE OF MAN This is one among the many instances to be found in Scripture where the rational and moral nature of man is appealed to in justification of the Divine conduct. Christianity must be felt by us to be t... [ Continue Reading ]
_Repent, and turn yourselves from all your transgressions; so iniquity shall not be your ruin._ PRESERVATIVE FROM RUIN I. The assumption of an awful fact. Iniquity induces ruin. The term “ruin” occurs but seldom in the sacred Scriptures. It is, however, one of awful import and aspect; a word ever... [ Continue Reading ]
_Make you a new heart, and a new spirit._ A NEW HEART I. This is an exhortation which, in one form or another, every man needs to hear. Here is a man who has to cross a river. There is no difficulty in crossing--the bridge is there--it is plain and palpable; but he stops to speculate how the bridge... [ Continue Reading ]
_I have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth._ THE MERCY OF GOD I. The benevolence of God’s own character. He who is love, and who delights therefore only in happiness, being at the same time a holy and just Governor, must no doubt punish sin, and punish it severely; but never can He punish... [ Continue Reading ]