2 Kings 25:30

REFLECTIONS

READER! we are brought to the final close of Judah's history as a kingdom in this Chapter; and therefore let us pause over the subject, and in beholding the desolated state of Zion as a church, take up the lamentation of the mournful prophet and say, How is the gold become dim! how is the most fine gold changed!

And as we pause and behold the desolation, let us look back at her former felicity, and ask the cause of her present ruin. Beautiful for situation, (said one of old) the joy of the whole earth is Mount Zion. Here was not only the royal city of David, but the holy city of our God, even David's Lord. It was the Lord that founded Zion, (saith one that answereth the messengers of the nation) and the poor of his people shall trust in it. But where is she now? The Lord hath cast down Zion in the day of his fierce anger.

And wherefore hath the Lord done this to Zion? Alas! alas! because Zion hath forsaken her God, therefore is she gone into captivity, and her kings and priests with her. But will the Lord cast off forever? Will he be no more intreated? Is his mercy clean gone forever? And will he shut up his loving-kindness in displeasure?

Reader! connect with this view the precious redemption by Jesus. Behold him who came for the recovery of Zion, not merely from the captivity of Babylon, but from the more dreadful captivity of sin and death. Look at Jesus in the accomplishment of redemption, opening the doors of confinement: bringing the prisoners from the prison, and them that sat in darkness out of the prison-house. Yes, blessed Jesus the Spirit of the Lord was upon thee, and thou hast come to make a thorough change in all the circumstances of thy people; and not merely to bring thy captives, like Jehoiachin, from the prison to thy table, but to exchange their prison-garments to the robes of salvation and glory. Thou wilt bring them all home to thy house; thou wilt raise up the tabernacles of David that are fallen down, for according to thy promise we look for new heavens and a new earth, even the new Jerusalem, wherein righteousness shall dwell forever. Hail! thou holy, blessed, Lord Jesus! Hail thou Almighty conqueror of all the foes of our salvation! Shortly thou wilt come to take all thy banished ones home, and the ransomed of Zion shall return with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads: they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away. Even so, come Lord Jesus. Amen.