Numbers 24:9

Blessed is he that blesseth thee, and cursed is he that curseth thee.

God will be merciful to such as be merciful to the Church

God will bless those that do good to His people, they shall not lose their labour that favour the Church, but such as are enemies unto them shall find God an enemy unto them. We see how God blessed the house of Laban for Jacob’s sake (Genesis 30:27); and the house of Potiphar for Joseph’s sake (Genesis 39:3). Rahab, the harlot, receiving the spies and preferring their life before her own life, was herself saved from the common destruction. The widow of Sarepta giving hospitality to Elijah, and offering him part of that poor pittance which was left her and her son in those days of drought, was with all her family miraculously sustained in the famine, continuing three years and six months (1 Kings 17:10). The Shunamite receiving the prophet Elisha, making him a chamber, providing all necessaries for him. She showed some mercy, but received more mercy; she ministered comfort to the prophet, but herself received more comfort.

1. First, God will honour all those that honour Him, He will despise all those that despise Him. This is the gracious promise that is gone out of His own mouth, which He cannot but verify, for He is not as man that He should lie; He is not as the son of man that He should deceive. This is it which the Lord spake by the mouth and ministry of Samuel concerning Eli and his house (1 Samuel 2:30). And, therefore, they shall prosper that love the Church (Psalms 122:1).

2. Secondly, God hath appointed it to be the end of our obedience; our mercy to others shall procure mercy upon ourselves. This the apostle setteth down (Romans 2:10).

3. Thirdly, mercy, a notable fruit of love received, kindleth the hearts, and inflameth the affections of God’s people, both to praise God for them, and to pray unto God for them that have been helpful and serviceable to the Church.

The uses follow--

1. First, from hence we have the confirmation of another holy truth in our Christian religion, that merciful, liberal, and kind men, shall be surely blessed.

2. Secondly, it is our duty to love God’s people, seeing such as favour them do fare the better for them.

3. Thirdly, hereby we are warned to exhort one another to this duty, and by all means to provoke one another to mercy, in regard of the great recompense of reward that is laid up for merciful men.

4. Lastly, this doctrine is both a great encouragement unto us in well doing and a great comfort in all adversities. (W. Attersoll.)