_But now thus saith the Lord that created thee, O Jacob_
THE TRUE RELATION OF ISRAEL TO JEHOVAH
The main subject of this chapter is the true relation of Israel to
Jehovah, and its application in the way both of warning and
encouragement.
The doctrine taught is that their segregation from the rest... [ Continue Reading ]
_When thou passest through the waters_
THROUGH WATER AND FIRE.
I. Notice the frank and matter-of-course way in which your AFFLICTIONS
AND TRIALS are mentioned. “The waters,” “the rivers,” “the
fire,” “the flame”; it takes it for granted that you will meet
with some or all of them before you have f... [ Continue Reading ]
_For I am the Lord thy God_
JEHOVAH’S VALUATION OF HIS PEOPLE
I. THE LORD’S DECLARATION OF HIS OWN NAME. “I am Jehovah thy God,
the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour.” He gives His name thus to
distinguish Himself from false gods. He also sets forth His name at
large, for the comfort of His people.... [ Continue Reading ]
_Since thou wast precious in My sight_
PRECIOUS, HONOURABLE, LOVED
“Because thou art precious in My sight, art honourable, and I love
thee”--three co-ordinate clauses.
(_Prof. J. Skinner, D. D._)
PRECIOUS
I. PRECIOUS IN GOD’S SIGHT IS MAN. This is a new view of life--not
man’s natural feeling.... [ Continue Reading ]
_I will bring thy seed from the east_
OBLIGATIONS OF CHRISTIANS TO LABOUR FOR THE CONVERSION OF THE JEWS
This prophecy looks far beyond the deliverance of the Jews from their
former captivity.
It evidently points to that great and glorious deliverance which still
awaits them. A deliverance that w... [ Continue Reading ]
_I will say to the north, Give up_
A DOUBLE CHALLENGE
My intention is rather to utilise than to expound the text.
I. The first counsel is--GIVE UP.
1. With some of you it is imperative that you give up your prejudices.
So have you mis-estimated true religion, that you have been accustomed
to den... [ Continue Reading ]
_I have created him for My glory_
THE GLORY OF GOD THE END OF MAN’S CREATION AND REDEMPTION
What am I?
For what purpose was I created? Am I answering the great end of my
existence?--are questions which should be frequently proposed by every
rational being.
I. THE GREAT END OF JEHOVAH IN THE CREA... [ Continue Reading ]
_Ye are My witnesses--What is a witness?_
--One who testifies--who gives evidence, unfolds, clears up, makes
plain, and helps men toright decisions in cases of disputed claims, or
where personal integrity is assailed. There are cases on record where
such men have been thanked in complimentary terms... [ Continue Reading ]
_I, even I, am the Lord_
ROYAL PROCLAMATION
I. THE OBJECT OF OUR WORSHIP. The heavenly majesty asserted by
Himself. “I am the Lord.” A self-existent Being, contrasted with
idols--dwelling in His own eternity, independent, everlastingly
immutable, the eternal Jehovah. Mark how this glorious self-exi... [ Continue Reading ]
_I will work, and who shall let it?_
SALVATION THROUGH JUDGMENT
The words (Isaiah 43:13) intimate that the salvation foretold comes in
the way of judgment. Jehovah will effectually intervene; and when He
does this, who can turn it back, so that it shall not be done? (_F.
Delitzsch, D. D._)
A GREA... [ Continue Reading ]
_Behold, I will do a new thing_
THE FUTURE BETTER THAN THE PAST
How dear to the heart of the Israelites was the remembrance of the
nation’s deliverance from Egypt and their journey to the Land of
Promise! To those great events the religious teachers of the people
continually turned for illustratio... [ Continue Reading ]
_The beast of the field shall honour Me_
HOPE RESPECTING THE PROFANEST PERSONS
I have sometimes laid hold of this text, and have been comforted by it
concerning the conversion of the very worst of men.
Some people say, “What is the good of going among blasphemers and
profane persons with the Word... [ Continue Reading ]
_This people have I formed for Myself_
THE ALTERING OF GOD’S PURPOSE
It is the burden of the Book of Deuteronomy that God chose the seed of
Abraham to be a peculiar nation unto Himself above all peoples on the
face of the earth.
Those two words “people” and “inheritance” are perpetually
linked to... [ Continue Reading ]
_But thou hast not called upon Me, O Jacob_
INSINCERITY IN RELIGION
It is a common observation that there is very little sincerity in the
world.
We are now concerned with insincerity of a deeper and more serious
character,--insincerity in religion. I propose to offer some remarks
which may serve... [ Continue Reading ]
_Thou hast not brought Me the small cattle_
FAILURE IN RELIGIOUS DETAILS
Failure in religious details may we not ask whether some emphasis may
not be laid upon the designation “the small cattle”?
Do not many men fail in religious details? They are emphatic in their
stupendous word-creed, but they... [ Continue Reading ]
_Thou hast bought Me no sweet cane_
DIVINE REPROACH
I. THE GROUND ON WHICH ISRAEL IS REPROACHED. Sweet cane, or calamus,
is an aromatic reed which was an exotic in Palestine, and is chiefly
to be found in India. The demand for sweet cane was great, because it
formed an ingredient of the incense in... [ Continue Reading ]
_I, even I, am He that blotteth out thy transgressions_
PARDONING MERCY MADE RADIANT
As in olden times jewellers were wont to set their most precious gems
in casings of a very inferior nature--and that wisely, in order that
the intrinsic lustre of the jewel might shine forth more brilliant
from th... [ Continue Reading ]
_Put Me in remembrance_
“PUT ME IN REMEMBRANCE”
I. TAKE SOME GENERAL NOTICE OF THE COMMAND HERE GIVEN. This command,
“Put Me in remembrance,” by no means supposes that God is
unmindful of any promise, or ignorant of any case.
1. It is His pleasure to see a sinner reduced so low as to have
nothing... [ Continue Reading ]
_Thy first father hath sinned_
ISRAEL’S SIN
Its history from the first is a tissue of sins.
“Thy first father sinned, and thy mediators have fallen away from
Me.” By the first father, Hitzig, Knobel, and others understand
Adam; but Adam is the progenitor of mankind, not of Israel specially,
and Ad... [ Continue Reading ]
_Therefore I have profaned the princes of the sanctuary_
HOLY PRINCES
“Then I profaned holy princes, and gave up Jacob to the ban, and
Israel to revilings.
” “Holy princes” are the hierarchs (1 Chronicles 24:5), the
highest spiritual authorities in distinction from the secular. Their
profanation... [ Continue Reading ]