_Arise, and let us go up at noon._ CHRISTIAN EFFORT That spirit-stirring call of the text, so needful to arouse the Chaldeans on their march to the ancient, is as needful for us on our pilgrimage to the new, Jerusalem. 1. In other passages, the early years of childhood and youth are pointed out a... [ Continue Reading ]
_Woe unto us! for the day goeth away._ “WOE UNTO US!” The Babylonians are represented by the prophet as coming to plunder the Holy City, like flocks being led to their feeding ground. They hurry to the work of destruction, yet they are not speedy enough, for work takes time, and time flees fast awa... [ Continue Reading ]
_Be thou instructed, O Jerusalem, lest My soul depart from thee._ THE WAY TO PREVENT THE RUIN OF A SINFUL PEOPLE I. The infinite goodness and patience of God towards a sinful people and His great unwillingness to bring ruin and destruction upon them. How loath is He that things should come to this... [ Continue Reading ]
_They have no delight in it._ THE IMPEDIMENTS TO THE RIGHT CELEBRATION OF RELIGIOUS ORDINANCES You will readily admit, that the feeling of delight accompanying the performance of anything is, for the most part, a sign and measure of its profitable accomplishment; that that is usually well done whic... [ Continue Reading ]
_They have healed also the hurt. .. slightly, saying, Peace, peace; when there is no peace._ HEALING OUR WOUNDS SLIGHTLY I. What need we all have of healing. 1. Asserted in Scripture. 2. Confirmed by experience. II. Who they are that heal their wounds slightly. 1. They who rely on the uncovena... [ Continue Reading ]
_They were not at all ashamed._ SHAMELESSNESS IN SIN, THE CERTAIN FORERUNNER OF DESTRUCTION He who has thus sinned himself past feeling, may be justly supposed to have sinned himself past grace. 1. Extraordinary guilt. “Committed abomination.” 2. Deportment under guilt. “Not at all ashamed,” etc... [ Continue Reading ]
_Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein._ THE GOOD OLD WAY Were you called together to listen to the present preacher only, courtesy might demand at your hands an attentive hearing for him; but if an apostle of our Lord Jesus Christ were t... [ Continue Reading ]
_Your burnt offerings are not acceptable._ WASTE WORSHIP I. The manifest failure of these Jewish offerings. 1. By these their consecration was to be furthered. But they were foul. 2. By these their repentance was to be awakened. But they sinned shamefully. 3. By these their minds were to be dir... [ Continue Reading ]
_The bellows are burnt._ THE BELLOWS BURNT Apply to-- I. The prophet himself. The prophet was exhausted before the people were impressed. So also with Noah, Isaiah, John the Baptist, Jesus Himself. Nor since, by apostles, confessors, zeal-consuming preachers, has the iron-hearted world become mel... [ Continue Reading ]