CONTENTS
This Chapter contains an interesting account of the appearance of an
angel, with a message from God to Israel. The sacred historian also
takes a retrospective view of Israel's conduct under Joshua, by way of
pointing out their sad departure after his death. The people ' s
behavior on the s... [ Continue Reading ]
I beg the Reader to remark with me the leading feature in the
character of this angel, and then let him determine for himself
whether it was not the Angel of the Covenant, even the Lord Jesus
Christ. Who but God could make use of this language, I made you to go
up out of Egypt? And who was it that s... [ Continue Reading ]
The effect of the Sermon of the angel was as might be supposed. They
were stung to the heart in the recollection of God's mercy, and their
unworthiness; and they wept. Bochim means weepers. Was not this
sacrifice offered with an eye to the one great sacrifice? Let the
Reader compare this passage wit... [ Continue Reading ]
These verses have a retrospective view to the history of Joshua, as
before related. And perhaps the subject is here again introduced, by
way of contrasting the sad apostasy of Israel, to what their conduct
had been during the life of Joshua, and that generation. Alas! when
good men perish from the e... [ Continue Reading ]
Here begins the sad account which the Holy Ghost hath caused to be
recorded, of Israel's whoredom and idolatry, and which runs through
all the future periods of their history, until they were unchurched.
Sad, sad relation of poor human nature! And the more so, when we
consider the resemblance it bea... [ Continue Reading ]
Observe in the Lord's punishment, what a correspondence between their
sin and suffering. Thy backslidings shall reprove thee. Jeremiah 2:19.
Reader! do not overlook the interest all God's people bear in this.
Trace divine chastisements in your own experience, and you will not be
far to learn, if so... [ Continue Reading ]
What a beautiful illustration is this of divine mercy? How sweetly
doth it come in here, in proof of God's covenant love? Let the Reader
never lose sight of it. And, if he wishes to bring into one and the
same point of view, another precious example, let him read that most
interesting representation... [ Continue Reading ]
All these verses fold up in their contents the two great leading
points of the gospel doctrine, namely, human depravity, and divine
benignity. In the forbearance of God, and the continued provocations
of man, the language of the prophet meets us in all directions, and
cries aloud, in all that is goi... [ Continue Reading ]
REFLECTIONS
MY soul! read again, and again, thine own history in this account of
Israel's departure and backsliding. Can any portrait be more
strikingly drawn! How hath the Lord overlooked and passed by thy
disobedience! By how many messages of grace, like the angel from
Gilgal, hath the Lord sent... [ Continue Reading ]