CONTENTS This chapter relates a pleasant, but short interval to the wars of Israel, under the peaceable government of two of its Judges; Tola, the son of Puah, and Jair a Gileadite. A renewal of Israel's transgression succeeds; and, in consequence, a renewal of troubles. God's anger and visitation:... [ Continue Reading ]
There is somewhat significant in the name of Tola; it signifies in the original, a worm. Perhaps it was descriptive of the humility of this man's mind, for, though he governed Israel twenty-three years, yet we hear nothing ostentatious of him. Reader! doth it not serve, in the view of this man ' s n... [ Continue Reading ]
There was an illustrious Jair before this man. Numbers 32:41. Though Jair reigned twenty-two years, and was eminently distinguished as a father, with a numerous progeny, and provided for them nobly, yet all his history is contained in a small compass; that he was a Gileadite, that he had thirty sons... [ Continue Reading ]
Let the Reader, while he reads this sad account of the defection of Israel, call to mind the melancholy state of nature void of grace, in all ages. What a tender expostulation is that of God by the prophet, in the view of it. Jeremiah 2:11.... [ Continue Reading ]
How close upon the heels of sin is the Lord's chastisement. But Reader, do not overlook God's love in all his judgments. Sweet is the confession of the Psalmist upon this subject, considered in his personal character. It will be well if both writer and reader in all their afflictions, can do the sam... [ Continue Reading ]
It was a gracious promise of God, that if his people under his judgments, accepted the punishment of their iniquity, God would remember his everlasting covenant. See Leviticus 26:40. Reader! do not overlook, in this promise, the salvation by Jesus. God's covenant with Abraham was typical of the ever... [ Continue Reading ]
These strong, but gracious expostulations, are all leading to repentance. They all convey, what would be justice indeed, but by grace accompanying them, they prepare for mercy. Oh! how precious is that rich, and complete salvation, in which the Lord, in the person of our Great Representative, hath t... [ Continue Reading ]
Reader, do not overlook, in this acknowledgment of Israel, the characters of true repentance. They lie low in the dust, acknowledging God's sovereign right to do as he pleased; and while they supplicate mercy, confess that they have no pretensions to it. Certainly the Holy Ghost prepares the souls o... [ Continue Reading ]
The expression here made use of, that the Lord's soul was grieved for the misery of Israel, is so very striking, that I would wish the Reader to pause over the perusal of it. There is a similar one in the prophecy of Ezekiel, in which the Lord saith, I am broken with their whorish heart. Ezekiel 6:9... [ Continue Reading ]
When the Lord is about to appear for the deliverance of his people, he soon raiseth instruments for the purpose. That is a blessed scripture, for the encouragement of God's afflicted ones in all ages, when the Lord hath prepared their minds for his mercy; we may be sure that the mercy is prepared fo... [ Continue Reading ]
REFLECTIONS PAUSE, my soul! over the perusal of this chapter, and behold once more a renewed instance of human corruption, and divine grace triumphing over it, in the richest display of that glorious testimony; that where sin abounded, grace doth much more abound; that as sin hath reigned unto deat... [ Continue Reading ]