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<TITLE>Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary on the Whole Bible [Zephaniah III].</TITLE>
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<center><h1>Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary
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on the Whole Bible</h1>
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<h3><a href="http://www.biblesnet.com" target="_blank">Back to Biblesnet.com Home Page</a>
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[<A HREF="MHC00000.HTM">Table of Contents</A>]<BR>
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[<A HREF="MHC36002.HTM">Previous</A>]
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<TD ALIGN="RIGHT" VALIGN="TOP">
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Matthew Henry<BR><I>Commentary on the Whole Bible</I> (1712)
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</TD></TR></TABLE>
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<!-- (Begin Body) -->
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<CENTER>
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<BR><FONT SIZE=+3><B>Z E P H A N I A H.</B></FONT>
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<BR>
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<BR><FONT SIZE=+2>CHAP. III.</FONT>
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<HR SIZE=1 WIDTH=50>
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</CENTER>
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<FONT SIZE=-1>
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<P>
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We now return to Jerusalem, and must again hear what God has to say to
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her,
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I. By way of reproof and threatening, for the abundance of wickedness
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that was found in her, of which divers instances are given, with the
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aggravations of them,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Zep+3:1-7">ver. 1-7</A>.
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II. By way of promise of mercy and grace, which God had yet in reserve
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for them. Two general heads of promises here are:--
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1. That God would bring in a glorious work of reformation among them,
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cleanse them from their sins, and bring them home to himself; many
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promises of this kind here are,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Zep+3:8-13">ver. 8-13</A>.
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2. That he would bring about a glorious work of salvation for them,
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when he had thus prepared them for it,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Zep+3:14-20">ver. 14-20</A>.
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Thus the "Redeemer shall come to Zion," and to clear his own way, shall
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"turn away ungodliness from Jacob." These promises were to have their
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full accomplishment in gospel-times and gospel-graces.</P>
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</FONT>
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<A NAME="Zep3_1"> </A>
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<A NAME="Zep3_2"> </A>
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<A NAME="Zep3_3"> </A>
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<A NAME="Zep3_4"> </A>
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<A NAME="Zep3_5"> </A>
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<A NAME="Zep3_6"> </A>
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<A NAME="Zep3_7"> </A>
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<A NAME="Sec1"> </A>
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<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
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<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>The Depravity of Jerusalem.</I></FONT></TD>
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<TD ALIGN=RIGHT><FONT SIZE=-1>B. C.</FONT> 612.</TD></TR>
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<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
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</TABLE>
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<P>
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<FONT SIZE=+1>1 Woe to her that is filthy and polluted, to the oppressing
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city!
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2 She obeyed not the voice; she received not correction; she
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trusted not in the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>; she drew not near to her God.
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3 Her princes within her <I>are</I> roaring lions; her judges <I>are</I>
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evening wolves; they gnaw not the bones till the morrow.
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4 Her prophets <I>are</I> light <I>and</I> treacherous persons: her
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priests have polluted the sanctuary, they have done violence to
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the law.
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5 The just L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> <I>is</I> in the midst thereof; he will not do
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iniquity: every morning doth he bring his judgment to light, he
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faileth not; but the unjust knoweth no shame.
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6 I have cut off the nations: their towers are desolate; I made
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their streets waste, that none passeth by: their cities are
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destroyed, so that there is no man, that there is none
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inhabitant.
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7 I said, Surely thou wilt fear me, thou wilt receive
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instruction; so their dwelling should not be cut off, howsoever I
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punished them: but they rose early, <I>and</I> corrupted all their
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doings.
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</FONT></P>
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<P>
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One would wonder that Jerusalem, the holy city, where God was known,
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and his name was great, should be the city of which this black
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character is here given, that a place which enjoyed such abundance of
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the means of grace should become so very corrupt and vicious, and that
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God should permit it to be so; yet so it is, to show that <I>the law
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made nothing perfect;</I> but if this be the true character of
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Jerusalem, as no doubt it is (for God's judgments will make none worse
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than they are), it is no wonder that the prophet begins with <I>woe to
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her.</I> For the holy God hates sin in those that are nearest to him,
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nay, in them he hates it most. A sinful state is, and will be, a woeful
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state.</P>
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<P>
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I. Here is a very bad character given of the city in general. How has
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the faithful city become a harlot!
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1. She shames herself; she is <I>filthy and polluted</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Zep+3:1"><I>v.</I> 1</A>),
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has made herself <I>infamous</I> (so some read it), <I>the
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gluttonous</I> city (so the margin), always cramming, and making
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provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts of it. Sin is the
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filthiness and pollution of persons and places, and makes them odious
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in the sight of the holy God.
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2. She wrongs her neighbours and inhabitants; she is <I>the oppressing
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city.</I> Never any place had <I>statutes and judgments so
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righteous</I> as this city had, and yet, in the administration of the
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government, never was more unrighteousness.
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3. She is very provoking to her God, and in every respect walks
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contrary to him,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Zep+3:2"><I>v.</I> 2</A>.
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He had given his law, and spoken to her by his servants the prophets,
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telling her what was the good she should do and what the evil she
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should avoid; but <I>she obeyed not his voice,</I> nor made conscience
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of doing as he commanded her, in any thing. He had taken her under an
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excellent discipline, both of the word and of the rod; but she did not
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receive the instruction of the one nor the correction of the other, did
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not submit to God's will nor answer his end in either. He encouraged
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her to depend upon him, and his power and promise, for deliverance from
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evil and supply with good; but she <I>trusted not in the Lord;</I> her
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confidence was placed in her alliances with the nations more than in
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her covenant with God. He gave her tokens of his presence, and
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instituted ordinances of communion for her with himself; but she
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<I>drew not near to her God,</I> did not meet him where he appointed
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and where he promised to meet her. She stood at a distance, and <I>said
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to the Almighty, Depart.</I></P>
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<P>
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II. Here is a very bad character of the leading men in it; those that
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should by their influence suppress vice and profaneness there are the
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great patterns and patrons of wickedness, and those that should be her
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physicians are really her worst disease.
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1. <I>Her princes are</I> ravenous and barbarous as <I>roaring
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lions</I> that make a prey of all about them, and they are universally
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feared and hated; they use their power for destruction, and not for
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edification.
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2. <I>Her judges,</I> who should be the protectors of injured
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innocence, <I>are evening wolves,</I> rapacious and greedy, and their
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cruelty and covetousness both insatiable: <I>They gnaw not the bones
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till the morrow;</I> they take so much delight and pleasure in cruelty
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and oppression that when they have devoured a good man they reserve the
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bones, as it were, for a sweet morsel, to be gnawed the next morning,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Job+31:31">Job xxxi. 31</A>.
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3. <I>Her prophets,</I> who pretend to be special messengers from
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heaven to them, <I>are light and treacherous persons,</I> fanciful, and
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of a vain imagination, frothy and airy, and of a loose conversation,
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men of no consistency with themselves, in whom one can put no
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confidence. They were so given to bantering that it was hard to say
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when they were serious. Their pretended prophecies were all a sham, and
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they secretly laughed at those that were deluded by them.
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4. <I>Her priests,</I> who are teachers by office and have the charge
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of the holy things, are false to their trust and betray it. They were
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to preserve the purity of the <I>sanctuary,</I> but they did themselves
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<I>pollute</I> it, and the sacred offices of it, which they were to
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attend upon--such priests as Hophni and Phinehas, who by their wicked
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lives <I>made the sacrifices of the Lord to be abhorred.</I> They were
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to expound and apply <I>the law,</I> and to judge according to it; but,
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in their explications and applications of it, they <I>did violence to
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the law;</I> they corrupted the sense of it, and perverted it to the
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patronising of that which was directly contrary to it. By forced
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constructions, they made the law to speak what they pleased, to serve a
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turn, and so, in effect, <I>made void the law.</I></P>
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<P>
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III. We have here the aggravations of this general corruption of all
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orders and degrees of men in Jerusalem.</P>
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<P>
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1. They had the tokens of God's presence among them, and all the
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advantages that could be of knowing his will, with the strongest
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inducements possible to do it, and yet they persisted in their
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disobedience,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Zep+3:5"><I>v.</I> 5</A>.
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(1.) They had the honour and privilege of the Shechinah, God's dwelling
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in their land, so as he dwelt not with any other people: "<I>The just
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Lord is in the midst of thee,</I> to take cognizance of all thou doest
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amiss and give countenance to all thou doest well; he is in the midst
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of thee as a holy God, and therefore thy pollutions are the more
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offensive,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+23:14">Deut. xxiii. 14</A>.
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He is in the midst of you as a just God, and therefore will punish the
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affronts you put upon him, and the wrongs and injuries you do to one
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another."
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(2.) They had God's own example set before them, in the discovery he
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made of himself to them, that they might conform to it: "<I>He will not
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do iniquity,</I> and therefore you should not;" for this was the great
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rule of their institution, "<I>Be you holy, for I am holy.</I> God will
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be true to you; be not you then false to him."
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(3.) He sent to them his prophets, rising up early and sending them:
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<I>Every morning he brings his judgment to light,</I> as duly as the
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morning comes; <I>he fails not.</I> He shows them plainly what the good
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is which he requires of them, and puts them in mind of it; he <I>wakens
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morning by morning</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+50:4">Isa. l. 4</A>),
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wakens his prophets with the rising sun, to bring to light the things
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which belong to their peace. So that, upon the whole matter, what more
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could have been done to his vineyard, to make it fruitful?
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+5:4">Isa. v. 4</A>.
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And yet, after all, <I>the unjust know no shame;</I> those that have
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been unjust are unjust still, and are not ashamed of their
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unrighteousness, <I>neither can they blush.</I> If they had any sense
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of honour, any shame left in them, they would not go so directly
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contrary to their profession and to the instructions given them. But
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those that are past shame are past cure.</P>
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<P>
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2. God had set before their eyes some remarkable monuments of his
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justice, which were designed for warning to them
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Zep+3:6"><I>v.</I> 6</A>):
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<I>I have cut off the nations,</I> the seven nations of Canaan, which
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the land spewed out for their wickedness, upon which they had this
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caution given them, to take heed lest it <I>spew them out also,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Le+18:28">Lev. xviii. 28</A>.
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Or it may refer to some of the neighbouring nations that were made
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desolate for their wickedness, especially to the nations of Israel, the
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ten tribes. <I>Their towers were desolate,</I> their high towers,
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their strong towers, their pride and power broken; their <I>streets
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were wasted,</I> so that none passed along through them; <I>their
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cities</I> were <I>destroyed</I> and laid in ruins; <I>no man</I> was
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to be found in them, <I>no inhabitant,</I> all were slain or carried
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into captivity. The enemies did it, but God avows it: <I>I cut them
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off,</I> says he. And God designed this for an admonition to Jerusalem
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Eze+23:9,11">Ezek. xxiii. 9, 11</A>):
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"<I>I said, Surely thou wilt fear me;</I> surely these judgments upon
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others will deter thee from the like wicked practices; <I>surely thou
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wilt receive instruction</I> by these providences; it ought to be
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expected that thou wouldst not continue to sin like the nations when
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thou seest the ruin which their sin brought upon them." They could not
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but see their own house in danger when their neighbour's was on fire;
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and, when we are frightened, God should be feared.</P>
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<P>
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3. He had set before them life and death, good and evil, both in his
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word and in his providence.
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(1.) He had assured them of the continuance of their prosperity if they
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would fear him and receive instruction, for so <I>their dwelling would
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not be cut off</I> as their neighbour's was; if they took the warning
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given them, and reformed, what was past should be pardoned, and their
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tranquility lengthened out.
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(2.) He had made them feel the smart of the rod, though he reprieved
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them from the sword: <I>Howsoever I punished them,</I> that, being
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chastened, they might not be condemned. Such various methods did God
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take with them, to reclaim them, but all in vain; they were not won
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upon by gentle methods, nor had severe ones any effect, for <I>they
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rose early, and corrupted all their doings;</I> they were more resolute
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and eager in their wicked courses than ever, more studious and
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solicitous in making provision for their lusts, and let slip no
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opportunity for the gratification of them. God <I>rose up early,</I> to
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send them his <I>prophets,</I> to reduce and reclaim them, but they
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were <I>up before him,</I> to shut and bolt the door against them.
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Their wickedness was universal: <I>All their doings</I> were corrupted;
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and it was all owing to themselves; they could not lay the blame upon
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the tempter, but they alone must bear it; they themselves wilfully and
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designedly <I>corrupted all their doings;</I> for <I>every man is
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tempted when he is drawn aside of his own lust and enticed.</I></P>
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<A NAME="Zep3_8"> </A>
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<A NAME="Zep3_9"> </A>
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<A NAME="Zep3_10"> </A>
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<A NAME="Zep3_11"> </A>
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<A NAME="Zep3_12"> </A>
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<A NAME="Zep3_13"> </A>
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<A NAME="Sec2"> </A>
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<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
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<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>Judgment and Mercy; Promises of Mercy.</I></FONT></TD>
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<TD ALIGN=RIGHT><FONT SIZE=-1>B. C.</FONT> 612.</TD></TR>
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<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
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</TABLE>
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<P>
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<FONT SIZE=+1>8 Therefore wait ye upon me, saith the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>, until the day that
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I rise up to the prey: for my determination <I>is</I> to gather the
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nations, that I may assemble the kingdoms, to pour upon them mine
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indignation, <I>even</I> all my fierce anger: for all the earth shall
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be devoured with the fire of my jealousy.
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9 For then will I turn to the people a pure language, that they
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may all call upon the name of the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>, to serve him with one
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consent.
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10 From beyond the rivers of Ethiopia my suppliants, <I>even</I> the
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daughter of my dispersed, shall bring mine offering.
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11 In that day shalt thou not be ashamed for all thy doings,
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wherein thou hast transgressed against me: for then I will take
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away out of the midst of thee them that rejoice in thy pride, and
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thou shalt no more be haughty because of my holy mountain.
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12 I will also leave in the midst of thee an afflicted and poor
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people, and they shall trust in the name of the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>.
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13 The remnant of Israel shall not do iniquity, nor speak lies;
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neither shall a deceitful tongue be found in their mouth: for
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they shall feed and lie down, and none shall make <I>them</I> afraid.
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</FONT></P>
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<P>
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Things looked very bad with Jerusalem in the
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Zep+3:1-7">foregoing verses</A>;
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she has got into a very bad name, and seems to be incorrigible,
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incurable, mercy-proof and judgment-proof. Now one would think it
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should follow, Therefore expect no other but that she should be utterly
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abandoned and rejected as <I>reprobate silver;</I> since they will not
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be wrought upon by prophets or providences, let them be made a
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desolation as their neighbours have been. But behold and wonder at the
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riches of divine grace, which takes occasion from man's badness to
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appear so much the more illustrious. They still grew worse and worse,
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<I>therefore wait you upon me, saith the Lord,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Zep+3:8"><I>v.</I> 8</A>.
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"Since the <I>law,</I> it seems, will <I>make nothing perfect,</I> the
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<I>bringing in of a better hope shall.</I> Let those that lament the
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corruptions of the church <I>wait upon God,</I> till he send his Son
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into the world, to <I>save his people from their sins,</I> till he send
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his gospel to reform and refine his church, and to purify to himself a
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peculiar people both of Jews and Gentiles." And there were those who,
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according to this direction and encouragement, <I>waited for
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redemption,</I> for this redemption in Jerusalem; and long-looked-for
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came at last,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+2:38">Luke ii. 38</A>.
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<I>For judgment</I> Christ will <I>come into this world,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+9:39">John ix. 39</A>.</P>
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<P>
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I. To avenge what has been done amiss against his church, to bring down
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and destroy the enemies of it, its spiritual enemies, of which the
|
|
destruction of Babylon, and other oppressors of God's people, in the
|
|
Old-Testament times, was a type, and would be a happy presage. He will
|
|
<I>rise up to the prey,</I> to <I>lead captivity captive</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+67:18">Ps. lxvii. 18</A>),
|
|
|
|
to conquer and spoil the powers of darkness, and the powers on earth
|
|
that set themselves <I>against the Lord and his anointed;</I> he will
|
|
<I>break them with a rod of iron</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+2:5,9,11:5,6">Ps. ii. 5, 9; xi. 5, 6</A>);
|
|
|
|
his <I>determination is to gather the nations</I> and to <I>assemble
|
|
the kingdoms.</I> By the gospel of Christ preached to every creature
|
|
all nations are summoned, as it were, to appear in a body before the
|
|
Lord Jesus, who is about to set up his kingdom in the world. But, since
|
|
the greatest part of mankind will not obey the summons, he will <I>pour
|
|
upon them his indignation,</I> for he that <I>believes not is condemned
|
|
already.</I> At the time of the setting up of the kingdom of the
|
|
Messiah, there shall be on earth <I>distress of nations with
|
|
perplexity</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+21:25">Luke xxi. 25</A>),
|
|
|
|
<I>great tribulation,</I> such as <I>never was, nor ever shall be,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+24:21">Matt. xxiv. 21</A>.
|
|
|
|
Then God pours upon the nations his indignation, even <I>all his fierce
|
|
anger,</I> for their indignation and fierce anger against the Messiah
|
|
and his kingdom,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+2:1,2">Ps. ii. 1, 2</A>.
|
|
|
|
Then <I>all the earth shall be devoured with the fire of his
|
|
jealousy;</I> both Jews and Gentiles shall be reckoned with for their
|
|
enmity to the gospel. Principalities and powers shall be spoiled, and
|
|
<I>made a show of openly,</I> and the victorious Redeemer shall triumph
|
|
over them. The end of those that continue to be of the earth, and to
|
|
<I>mind earthly things,</I> after God has set up the <I>kingdom of
|
|
heaven</I> among men, <I>shall be destruction</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Php+3:19">Phil. iii. 19</A>);
|
|
|
|
they shall be <I>devoured with the fire of God's jealousy.</I></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
II. To amend what he finds amiss in his church. When God intends the
|
|
restoration of Israel, and the revival of their peace and prosperity,
|
|
he makes way for the accomplishment of his purpose by their reformation
|
|
and the revival of their virtue and piety; for this is God's method,
|
|
both with particular persons and with communities, first to make them
|
|
holy and then to make them happy. These promises were in part
|
|
accomplished after the return of the Jews out of Babylon, when by their
|
|
captivity they were thoroughly cured of their idolatry; and this was
|
|
all the fruit, even the taking away of sin. But they look further, to
|
|
the blessed effects of the gospel and the grace of it, to those
|
|
<I>times of reformation</I> in which we live,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Heb+9:10">Heb. ix. 10</A>.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
1. It is promised that there shall be a reformation in men's discourse,
|
|
which had been generally corrupt, but should now be with grace seasoned
|
|
with salt
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Zep+3:9"><I>v.</I> 9</A>):
|
|
|
|
"<I>Then will I turn to the people a pure language;</I> I will turn the
|
|
people to such a language from that <I>evil communication</I> which has
|
|
almost ruined all <I>good manners</I> among them." Note, Converting
|
|
grace refines the language, not by making the phrases witty, but the
|
|
substance wise. Among the Jews, after the captivity, there needed a
|
|
reformation of the dialect, for they had mingled the language of Canaan
|
|
with that of Ashdod
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ne+13:24">Neh. xiii. 24</A>),
|
|
|
|
and that grievance shall be redressed. But that is not all: their
|
|
language shall be purified from all profaneness, filthiness, and
|
|
falsehood. I will turn them to a <I>choice language</I> (so some read
|
|
it); they shall not speak rashly, but with caution and deliberation;
|
|
they shall <I>choose out their words.</I> Note, An air of purity and
|
|
piety in common conversation is a very happy omen to any people; other
|
|
graces, other blessings, shall be given where God gives a pure language
|
|
to those who have been a <I>people of unclean lips.</I></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
2. That the worship of God, according to his will, shall be more
|
|
closely applied to, and more unanimously concurred in. Instead of
|
|
sacrifice and incense, they shall <I>call upon the name of the
|
|
Lord.</I> Prayer is the spiritual offering with which God must be
|
|
honoured; and, to prepare and fit us for that duty, it is necessary
|
|
that we have a <I>pure language.</I> We are utterly unfit to take God's
|
|
name into our lips, unless they be pure lips. The purifying of the
|
|
language in common conversation is necessary to the acceptableness of
|
|
the words of our mouth and the meditation of our heart on our devotion;
|
|
for how can <I>sweet waters and bitter</I> come <I>out of the same
|
|
fountain?</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jam+3:9-12">James iii. 9-12</A>.
|
|
|
|
It is likewise promised that their language being thus purified they
|
|
shall serve God <I>with one consent,</I> with <I>one shoulder</I> (so
|
|
the word is), alluding to oxen in the yoke, that draw even. When
|
|
Christians are unanimous in the service of God the work goes on
|
|
cheerfully. This is the effect of the pure language, purified from
|
|
passion, envy, and censoriousness. Note, Purity is the way to unity;
|
|
the reformation of manners is the way to a comprehension. <I>The
|
|
wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable.</I></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
3. That those that were driven from God shall return to him and be
|
|
accepted of him
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Zep+3:10"><I>v.</I> 10</A>):
|
|
|
|
<I>From beyond the rivers of Ethiopia,</I> that is, from Egypt (so
|
|
described,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+18:1">Isa. xviii. 1</A>)
|
|
|
|
or from some other very remote country--<I>my suppliants, even the
|
|
daughter of my dispersed, shall bring my offering.</I> Those that by
|
|
reason of their distance had almost forgotten God, their obligations to
|
|
him, shall be put in mind of him, as the prodigal son was of his
|
|
father's house, in the far country. Those that by reason of their
|
|
dispersion, under the tokens of his displeasure, might be afraid of
|
|
coming to him, yet even they shall be gathered under his wings; the
|
|
<I>daughter of his dispersed,</I> that is <I>afar off,</I> will be
|
|
found among those whom <I>the Lord our God shall call;</I> and, though
|
|
they are dispersed, he will own them for his; his calling them <I>my
|
|
dispersed</I> puts honour upon them, sufficient to counterbalance all
|
|
the disgrace of their dispersion. These shall come,
|
|
|
|
(1.) With their humble petitions: They are <I>my suppliants.</I> Note,
|
|
True converts are suppliants to God; they do not plead, but <I>make
|
|
supplication to their Judge</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Job+9:15">Job ix. 15</A>);
|
|
|
|
and wherever they are, though <I>beyond the rivers of Ethiopia,</I> a
|
|
great way off from his house of prayer, he has his eye upon them and
|
|
his ear open to them; they are his suppliants.
|
|
|
|
(2.) With their spiritual sacrifices: <I>They shall bring my
|
|
offering,</I> shall bring themselves as spiritual sacrifices to God
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ro+12:1">Rom. xii. 1</A>);
|
|
|
|
the conversion of the Gentiles is called <I>the offering up of the
|
|
Gentiles</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ro+15:16">Rom. xv. 16</A>);
|
|
|
|
and with themselves they shall bring the gospel-sacrifices of prayer,
|
|
and praise, and alms, with which God is well pleased.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
4. That sin and sinners shall be purged out from among them,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Zep+3:11"><I>v.</I> 11</A>.
|
|
|
|
God will take away,
|
|
|
|
(1.) Their just reproach: <I>In that day shalt thou not be ashamed for
|
|
all thy doings.</I> They shall be ashamed as penitents, and shall
|
|
continue to be so (see
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Eze+16:63">Ezek. xvi. 63</A>),
|
|
|
|
but they shall not be ashamed as sinners that return to folly again.
|
|
"<I>Thou shalt not be ashamed,</I> that is, thou shalt no more do a
|
|
shameful thing, as thou hast done." The guilt of sin being taken away
|
|
by pardoning mercy, the reproach of it shall be rolled away from the
|
|
sinner's own conscience, that being <I>purified,</I> and
|
|
<I>pacified,</I> and <I>cleansed from dead works.</I> When wickedness
|
|
and wicked people abound in a nation those few in it that are good are
|
|
ashamed of them and of their land; but when sinners are converted, and
|
|
the land reformed, that shame and the cause of it are removed.
|
|
|
|
(2.) Their unjust glorying: "<I>I will take away out of the midst of
|
|
thee,</I> not only the profane, who are a shame to thy land, but the
|
|
hypocrites, who appear beautiful outwardly, and <I>rejoice in thy
|
|
pride,</I> in the holy city, the holy house." These were indeed
|
|
Israel's glory, but they made them their pride, and rejoiced in them,
|
|
as if they were an invincible bulwark to secure them in their sinful
|
|
ways; they relied on them as their righteousness and strength, boasting
|
|
of <I>the temple of the Lord, the temple of the Lord</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jer+7:4">Jer. vii. 4</A>);
|
|
|
|
they were <I>haughty because of the holy mountain,</I> were conceited
|
|
of themselves, scornful of others, and set even the judgments of God at
|
|
defiance. Note, Church-privileges, when they are not duly improved as
|
|
they ought to be, are often made the matter of men's pride and the
|
|
ground of their security. But that haughtiness is the most offensive to
|
|
God which is supported and fed by the pretensions of holiness. This God
|
|
will silence and take away.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
5. That God will have a remnant of holy, humble, serious people among
|
|
them, that shall have the comfort of their relation to him and interest
|
|
in him
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Zep+3:12"><I>v.</I> 12</A>):
|
|
|
|
<I>I will leave in the midst of thee an afflicted and poor people.</I>
|
|
When the Chaldeans carried away the Jews into captivity they <I>left of
|
|
the poor of the land for vine-dressers and husbandmen,</I> a type and
|
|
figure of God's distinguished remnant, whom he sets apart for himself.
|
|
They are <I>afflicted</I> and <I>poor,</I> low in the world; such
|
|
<I>God has chosen,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jam+2:5">James ii. 5</A>.
|
|
|
|
The poor are evangelized, low in their own eyes, afflicted for sin,
|
|
poor in spirit. They are God's leaving, for it is a <I>remnant
|
|
according to the election of grace. I have reserved them to myself,</I>
|
|
says God
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ro+11:4,5">Rom. xi. 4, 5</A>),
|
|
|
|
<I>and they shall trust in the name of the Lord.</I> Note, Those whom
|
|
God designs for the glory of his name he enables to trust in his name;
|
|
and the greater their affliction and poverty in the world are the more
|
|
reason they see to trust in God, having nothing else to trust to,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ti+5:5">1 Tim. v. 5</A>.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
6. That this select remnant shall be blessed with purity and peace,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Zep+3:13"><I>v.</I> 13</A>.
|
|
|
|
(1.) They shall be blessed with purity, both in words and actions: They
|
|
<I>shall neither do iniquity nor speak lies.</I> Justice and veracity
|
|
shall command them and govern them, though they be ever so much against
|
|
their secular interest. They shall not only not speak a direct
|
|
deliberate lie, but <I>there shall not be a deceitful tongue found in
|
|
their mouth,</I> not in the mouth of any of them; not the least
|
|
equivocation shall come from them.
|
|
|
|
(2.) They shall be blessed with peace. They shall, as the sheep of
|
|
God's pasture, <I>feed</I> and <I>lie down, and none shall make them
|
|
afraid.</I> They shall not be fearful themselves, nor shall any about
|
|
them be frightful to them. Note, Those that are careful not to do
|
|
iniquity need not be afraid of any calamity, for it cannot hurt them,
|
|
and therefore should not terrify them.</P>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Zep3_14"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Zep3_15"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Zep3_16"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Zep3_17"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Zep3_18"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Zep3_19"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Zep3_20"> </A>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Sec3"> </A>
|
|
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
|
|
<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>Evangelical Predictions.</I></FONT></TD>
|
|
<TD ALIGN=RIGHT><FONT SIZE=-1>B. C.</FONT> 612.</TD></TR>
|
|
<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
|
|
</TABLE>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>14 Sing, O daughter of Zion; shout, O Israel; be glad and
|
|
rejoice with all the heart, O daughter of Jerusalem.
|
|
15 The L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> hath taken away thy judgments, he hath cast out
|
|
thine enemy: the king of Israel, <I>even</I> the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>, <I>is</I> in the
|
|
midst of thee: thou shalt not see evil any more.
|
|
16 In that day it shall be said to Jerusalem, Fear thou not:
|
|
<I>and to</I> Zion, Let not thine hands be slack.
|
|
17 The L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> thy God in the midst of thee <I>is</I> mighty; he will
|
|
save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his
|
|
love, he will joy over thee with singing.
|
|
18 I will gather <I>them that are</I> sorrowful for the solemn
|
|
assembly, <I>who</I> are of thee, <I>to whom</I> the reproach of it <I>was</I> a
|
|
burden.
|
|
19 Behold, at that time I will undo all that afflict thee: and
|
|
I will save her that halteth, and gather her that was driven out;
|
|
and I will get them praise and fame in every land where they have
|
|
been put to shame.
|
|
20 At that time will I bring you <I>again,</I> even in the time that
|
|
I gather you: for I will make you a name and a praise among all
|
|
people of the earth, when I turn back your captivity before your
|
|
eyes, saith the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>.
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
After the promises of the taking away of sin, here follow promises of
|
|
the taking away of trouble; for when the cause is removed the effect
|
|
will cease. What makes a people holy will make them happy of course.
|
|
The precious promises here made to the purified people were to have
|
|
their full accomplishment in the comforts of the gospel, in the hope,
|
|
and much more in the enjoyment, of which, they are here called upon,
|
|
|
|
1. To rejoice and sing
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Zep+3:14"><I>v.</I> 14</A>):
|
|
|
|
<I>Sing, O daughter of Zion!</I> sing for joy; <I>Shout, O Israel!</I>
|
|
in a holy transport and exultation; <I>be glad and rejoice with all the
|
|
heart;</I> let the joy be inward, let it be great. Those that love God
|
|
with all their heart have occasion with all their heart to rejoice in
|
|
him. It was promised
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Zep+3:13"><I>v.</I> 13</A>)
|
|
|
|
that their sins should be mortified and their fears silenced, and then
|
|
follows, <I>Sing</I> and <I>rejoice.</I> Note, Those that reform have
|
|
cause to rejoice, whereas Israel cannot rejoice for joy as other
|
|
people, while she goes a whoring from her God. God's promises, applied
|
|
by faith, furnish the saints with constant and abundant matter for joy;
|
|
they are filled with joy and peace in believing them.
|
|
|
|
2. To throw off all their discouragements
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Zep+3:16"><I>v.</I> 16</A>):
|
|
|
|
<I>In that day it shall be said to Jerusalem</I> (God will say it by
|
|
his prophets, by his providences, their neighbours shall say it, they
|
|
shall say it to one another), "<I>Fear thou not,</I> be not disposed to
|
|
fear, do not easily admit the impressions of it; when things are bad,
|
|
fear not their being worse, but hope they will mend; frighten not
|
|
thyself upon every occasion. <I>Let not thy hands be slack</I> or
|
|
<I>faint;</I> wring not thy hands in despair; drop not thy hands in
|
|
despondence; disfit not thyself for thy work and warfare by giving way
|
|
to doubts and fears. Pluck up thy spirits, and, in token of that, lift
|
|
up thy hands, the <I>hands that hung down,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Heb+12:12.Isa+35:3">Heb. xii. 12; Isa. xxxv. 3</A>.
|
|
|
|
Lift up thy hands in prayer to God; lift up thy hands to help thyself."
|
|
Fear makes the hands slack, but faith and hope make them vigorous, and
|
|
the joy of the Lord will be our strength both for doing and
|
|
suffering.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
Let us now see what these precious promises are which are here made to
|
|
the people of God, for the banishing of their griefs and fears and the
|
|
encouraging of their hopes and joys; and to us are these promises made
|
|
as well as to them.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
I. An end shall be put to all their troubles and distresses
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Zep+3:15"><I>v.</I> 15</A>):
|
|
|
|
"<I>The Lord has taken away thy judgments,</I> has removed all the
|
|
calamities thou hast been groaning under, which were the punishments of
|
|
thy sin; the noise of war shall be silenced, the reproach of famine
|
|
done away, and the captivity brought back. Though some grievances
|
|
remain, they shall be only afflictions, and not judgments, for sin
|
|
shall be pardoned. <I>He has cast out thy enemy,</I> that has thrust
|
|
himself into thy land, and triumphed over thee. He has <I>swept out thy
|
|
enemy</I>" (so some read it), "as dirt is swept out of the house to the
|
|
dunghill." When they sweep out their sins with the besom of reformation
|
|
God will sweep out their enemies with the besom of destruction. If
|
|
they should need correction, they shall fall into the hands of the
|
|
Lord, whose mercies are great, and shall not again fall into the hands
|
|
of man, whose tender mercies are cruel: "<I>Thou shalt not see evil any
|
|
more,</I> not such evil days as thou hast seen." Note, The way to get
|
|
clear of the evil of trouble is to keep clear from the evil of sin; and
|
|
to those that do so trouble has no real evil in it.</P>
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<P>
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II. God will give them the tokens of his presence with them; though he
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has long seemed to stand at a distance (they having provoked him to
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|
withdraw), he will make it to appear that he is <I>with them of a
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|
truth: "The Lord is in the midst of thee, O Zion!</I> of thee, <I>O
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|
Jerusalem!</I> as the sun in the centre of the universe, to diffuse his
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light and influence upon every part. He is <I>in the midst of thee,</I>
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|
to preside in all thy affairs and to take care of all thy interests."
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And,
|
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1. "He is the <I>King of Israel</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Zep+3:15"><I>v.</I> 15</A>)
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and is in the midst of thee as a king in the midst of his people." With
|
|
an eye to this, our Lord Jesus is called the <I>King of Israel</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+1:49">John i. 49</A>);
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|
|
|
and he is, and will be, in the midst of his church always, even to the
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|
end of the world, to receive the homage of his subjects, and to give
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|
out his favours to them, even <I>where</I> but <I>two or three are
|
|
gathered together in his name.</I>
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|
|
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2. "He is the Lord thy God, thine in covenant, and he is in the midst
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|
of thee as thy God, whom thou hast an interest in and whose own thou
|
|
art. He has put himself into dear relations to thee, laid himself by
|
|
promise under obligations to thee, and, that thou mayest have abundant
|
|
comfort in both, he <I>is in the midst of thee,</I> nigh at hand to
|
|
answer both."
|
|
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3. "He that is in the midst of thee as thy God and King is
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|
<I>mighty,</I> is almighty, is able to do all that for thee that thou
|
|
needest and canst desire."
|
|
|
|
4. "He has engaged his power for thy succour: <I>He will save. He will
|
|
be Jesus,</I> will answer the name, for he will save his people from
|
|
their sins."</P>
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|
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<P>
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|
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|
III. God will take delight in them, and in doing them good. The
|
|
expressions of this are very lively and affecting
|
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|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Zep+3:17"><I>v.</I> 17</A>):
|
|
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|
<I>He will rejoice over thee with joy,</I> will not only be well
|
|
pleased with thee, upon thy repentance and reformation, and take thee
|
|
into favour, but will take a complacency in thee, as the bridegroom
|
|
does in his bride, or the bride in her ornaments,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+62:3-5">Isa. lxii. 3-5</A>.
|
|
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|
The conversion of sinners and the consolation of saints are the joy of
|
|
angels, for they are the joy of God him-self. The church should be the
|
|
<I>joy of the whole earth</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+48:2">Ps. xlviii. 2</A>),
|
|
|
|
for it is the joy of the whole heaven. He will <I>rest in his love,</I>
|
|
will be <I>silent in his love,</I> so the word is. "I will not rebuke
|
|
thee as I have done, for thy sins; I will acquiesce in thee, and in my
|
|
relation to thee." I know not where there is the like expression of
|
|
Christ's love to his church, unless in that song of songs,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=So+4:9">Cant. iv. 9</A>,
|
|
|
|
<I>Thou hast ravished my heart, my sister, my spouse, with one of thy
|
|
eyes.</I> O the condescensions of divine grace! The great God not only
|
|
loves his saints, but he loves to love them, is pleased that he has
|
|
pitched upon these objects of his love. He <I>will joy over them with
|
|
singing.</I> He that is grieved for the sin of sinners rejoices in the
|
|
graces and services of the saints, and is ready to express that joy by
|
|
singing over them. <I>The Lord takes plea-sure in those that fear
|
|
him,</I> and in them Jesus Christ will shortly be glorified and
|
|
admired.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
IV. God will comfort Zion's mourners, who sympathize with her in her
|
|
griefs, and will wipe away their tears
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Zep+3:18"><I>v.</I> 18</A>):
|
|
|
|
<I>I will gather those who are sorrowful for the solemn assemblies, to
|
|
whom the reproach of it was a burden.</I> See,
|
|
|
|
1. Who those are whom God will rejoice in and make to rejoice. They are
|
|
such as are sorrowful. Those only must expect to reap in joy that sow
|
|
in tears. The sorrowful now shall be for ever joyful.
|
|
|
|
2. What is the great matter of sorrow to Zion's mourners, when Zion is
|
|
in mourning. Many are her calamities. The city is ruined, and the
|
|
palaces are demolished; trade is at an end, and the administration of
|
|
public justice; but all these are nothing to them in comparison with
|
|
the desolations of the sanctuary, the destruction of the temple and the
|
|
altar, to attend on which, in solemn feasts, all Israel used to come
|
|
together three times a year. It is for those sacred solemn assemblies
|
|
that they are sorrowful,
|
|
|
|
(1.) Because they are dispersed; there is no temple to come up to, or,
|
|
if there were, no people to come up to it; so that the <I>solemn feasts
|
|
and sabbaths are forgotten in Zion,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=La+2:6">Lam. ii. 6</A>.
|
|
|
|
Note, The restraining of public assemblies for religious worship, the
|
|
scattering of them by their enemies, or the forsaking of them by their
|
|
friends, so that either there are no assemblies or not solemn ones, is
|
|
a very sorrowful thing to all good people. If <I>the ways of Zion
|
|
mourn,</I> the sons of Zion mourn too. And hereby they make it to
|
|
appear that they are indeed of Zion, living members of that body with
|
|
the grievances of which they are so sensibly affected.
|
|
|
|
(2.) Because they are despised; the reproach of the solemn assemblies
|
|
is a burden to them. It had been the lot of the solemn assemblies to
|
|
lie under a great deal of reproach. Satan and his instruments having a
|
|
particular spite at them, as the great support of the interest of God's
|
|
kingdom among men. Black and odious characters have been put upon those
|
|
assemblies; and this is a burden to all those that have a cordial
|
|
concern for the glory of God and the welfare of the souls of men. They
|
|
reckon that the reproaches of those who reproach the solemn assemblies
|
|
fall upon them, fall foul upon them.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
V. God will recover the captives out of the hands of their oppressors,
|
|
and bring home the banished that seemed to be expelled,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Zep+3:19,20"><I>v.</I> 19, 20</A>.
|
|
|
|
1. Their enemies shall be disabled to detain them in bondage: "<I>At
|
|
that time I will undo all that afflict thee,</I> will break their
|
|
power, and blast their counsels, so that they shall be forced to
|
|
surrender the prey they have taken." <I>Conficiam--I will take them to
|
|
task;</I> "I will be doing with them shortly, and so as to make an end
|
|
of them." Note, Those that abuse and oppress God's people take the
|
|
ready way to undo themselves.
|
|
|
|
2. They shall be enabled to assert and recover their liberty, and all
|
|
the difficulties in the way of it shall be surmounted. Is the church
|
|
weak and wounded? <I>I will save her that halts,</I> as was promised,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mic+4:7">Mic. iv. 7</A>.
|
|
|
|
He will help her when she cannot help herself; even <I>the lame shall
|
|
take the prey,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+33:23">Isa. xxxiii. 23</A>.
|
|
|
|
Is she dispersed, and not likely to incorporate for her common benefit?
|
|
I will <I>gather her that was driven out,</I> and <I>bring her again at
|
|
the time that I gather her.</I> One act of mercy and grace shall serve
|
|
both to collect them out of their dispersions and to conduct them to
|
|
their own land. When the <I>people's hearts are prepared,</I> the work
|
|
will be done suddenly; and who can hinder it if God undertake to effect
|
|
it? "<I>I will turn back your captivity before your eyes, saith the
|
|
Lord;</I> you shall plainly discern the hand of God in it, and say,
|
|
<I>This is the Lord's doing.</I>"</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
VI. God will by all this put honour upon them and gain them respect
|
|
from all about them. Israel was at first <I>made high above all nations
|
|
in praise and fame,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+26:19">Deut. xxvi. 19</A>.
|
|
|
|
The reproach brought upon them was therefore one of the sorest of their
|
|
grievances (nothing cuts deeper to those that are in honour than
|
|
disgrace does); and therefore when God returns, in mercy, to his
|
|
church, it is here promised that she shall regain her credit; all the
|
|
reproach shall be for ever rolled way, as Israel's at Gilgal,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jos+5:9">Josh. v. 9</A>.
|
|
|
|
The church shall be as honourable as ever she had been despicable.
|
|
|
|
1. Even those that reproached her shall be made to respect her: "<I>I
|
|
will get them praise and fame in every land, where they have been put
|
|
to shame,</I> that the same who were the witnesses of their disgrace
|
|
may see cause to change their mind concerning them." Those that said,
|
|
"This is Zion whom no man looks after," shall say, "This is Zion whom
|
|
the great God looks after." And she that was looked upon to be the
|
|
<I>offscouring of the earth</I> now appears to be the darling of
|
|
heaven.
|
|
|
|
2. Even those that never knew her shall be brought to honour her
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Zep+3:20"><I>v.</I> 20</A>):
|
|
|
|
<I>I will make you a name and a praise among all people of the
|
|
earth.</I> So the Jewish church was when <I>the fear of the Jews</I>
|
|
fell upon their neighbours
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Es+8:17">Esth. viii. 17</A>),
|
|
|
|
and some of all nations said, <I>we will go with you, for we have heard
|
|
that God is with you,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Zec+8:23">Zech. viii. 23</A>.
|
|
|
|
So the Christian church was when it was made to flourish in the world,
|
|
for there is that in it which may justly recommend it to the value and
|
|
esteem of all the people of the earth. And so the universal church of
|
|
the firstborn will be in the great day, when the saints shall be
|
|
brought together to Christ, that he may be admired and glorified in
|
|
them, and they admired and glorified in him before angels and men. Then
|
|
will God's Israel be <I>made a name and a praise</I> to eternity.</P>
|
|
|
|
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