_Ask ye of the Lord rain in the time of the latter rain _ THE RAIN The rainfall in Palestine is normally periodical; occasional showers and even storms of rain may occur at any season, but as a rule it is at the time of the autumnal and that of the vernal equinox that the rain for the year falls.... [ Continue Reading ]
_The idols have spoken vanity _ THE WORLD’S ORACLES There are not many who think for themselves; and even those who are reckoned to do so, depend for the materials of thinking upon what they hear, or see, or touch. In the things of God this must be so, much more than in others. God’s place is to s... [ Continue Reading ]
_Out of Him came forth the comer: out of Him the nail: out of Him the battle bow: out of Him every oppressor together _ THE DUTY AND DIGNITY OF MAGISTRATES Laws are in Scripture called the foundations of the commonwealth. Magistrates are the pillars. When the Lord returns to a people in mercy, He... [ Continue Reading ]
_Because the Lord is with them _ JEHOVAH WITH HIS PEOPLE There is nothing which so emphatically marks and so undoubtedly describes the people of the living God as His own presence with them. 1. The Lord is with His Church relatively. It is only a third part, and perhaps a small third. We might di... [ Continue Reading ]
_I will hiss for them, and gather them; for I have redeemed them _ GATHERING THE REDEEMED I. The persons. “The redeemed.” Redeemed in consequence of God’s everlasting love towards them; for had they not been loved of the Father, they would never have been given to Christ, in order to be redeemed b... [ Continue Reading ]
_And I will sow them among the people _ GOD’S SOWINGS At the end of the seventy years’ captivity the people of God’s ancient choice were distributed through Parthia, Media, Persia, Mesopotamia, Cappadocia, Pontus, Phrygia, Pamphylia, Egypt, Libya and Rome, Crete and Arabia. Everywhere, throughout... [ Continue Reading ]
_And I will strengthen them in the Lord _ FURTHER AND CONTINUING GRACE This prophecy is closed with a promise concerning their way and carriage for whom the Lord doth all this, that they shall be encouraged and strengthened to be a holy people, and to persevere in faith and obedience, which is to... [ Continue Reading ]