_If thou wilt return,.. .and if thou wilt put away thine abominations. .. then shalt thou not remove._ THE PLEADINGS OF GOD A strange ministry is that of Almightiness. It is almightiness--almost. So we come upon a mysterious “if” in all the history of God’s administration. “If thou wilt return”--wh... [ Continue Reading ]
_A dry wind of the high places in the wilderness toward the daughter of My people, not to fan, nor to cleanse._ UNTEMPERED JUDGMENTS The prophet intimates that God will one day send a judgment upon His people comparable only to the sirocco of the desert. The harvestman welcomes almost all the winds... [ Continue Reading ]
_Wash thine heart from wickedness._ PURITY NECESSARY TO SALVATION I. The natural depravity of the human heart. 1. This doctrine requires definition. Depravity of the heart includes-- (1) The entire absence of the Divine image. (2) A natural aversion to God and godliness. (3) A universal propen... [ Continue Reading ]
_I am pained at my very heart._ THE PROPHET’S LAMENTATIONS OVER HIS PEOPLE’S DOOM I. The complaint or lamentation itself. 1. The parts affected. The soul and inward man. (1) The secrecy of it, the mind and soul being inward and hidden. (2) The mind receives and digests the thoughts. (3) The mi... [ Continue Reading ]
_Suddenly are my tents spoiled, and my curtains in a moment._ SUDDEN SORROW Jeremiah was describing the havoc of war, a war which was devastating his country and bringing untold miseries upon the people. How grateful we ought to be that war is not raging in our own land. Blessed be the Lord, who ha... [ Continue Reading ]
_Though thou rentest thy face with painting, in vain shalt thou make thyself fair._ HYPOCRISY DISCOVERED This renting of the face is, literally, enlarging of the eyes through kohl or antimony--a trick of artificial beauty. And the poor creature has taken out her best clothes, painted herself with t... [ Continue Reading ]