Ezekiel 28:26

REFLECTIONS

READER! among the several improvements to gather from this chapter, that is not the least which ariseth from the consideration, how dear Israel must be to the Lord, for whom, and on whose account the Lord thus chastiseth Israel's enemies. The Lord may, and the Lord will, correct Israel for her backsliding; but, in the midst of all, he will not suffer the foe of his redeemed to triumph. I said (said the Lord) I would scatter them into corners; I would make the remembrance of them to cease from among men; were it not that I feared the wrath of the enemy; lest their adversaries should behave themselves strangely, and lest they should say, our hand is high, and the Lord hath not done all this. Oh! how blessed is it to hear the Lord thus speak! And, Reader! if the Lord so loves his people, and so protects them, notwithstanding all their unworthiness, how ought the people to love the Lord, and delight to adore his distinguishing grace, in such unparalleled mercy. Well might David exclaim, under a deep sense of this, Who am I, O Lord God, and what is my house, that thou has brought me hitherto? Praised be the Lord for his unspeakable gift!