And I will feed them that oppress thee with their own flesh.
Self-destruction
Here is a terrible picture of retributive justice. But the words represent a general principle, which is universal, in the punishment of sin. The sinner is his own avenger.
I. TAKE THE DRUNKARD. He is drinking the poison, but is he not at the same time drinking his own life, and consuming his own happiness and peace?
II. TAKE THE SPENDTHRIFT. He spends his money, but at the same time eats and drinks his existence, his fortune, his home, his happiness.
III. TAKE THE TYRANT. He who wins his throne with blood shall lose it in blood. No one who fights can be without foes, and if he has conquered them at first they will only await their opportunity and in turn conquer him. How few who have raised themselves by the sword have not died by the sword!
IV. TAKE THE OPPRESSORS OF THE CHRISTIAN. They think they injure God's people. How does God avenge His elect? By causing them to feed on their own selves--the bitterness of conscience, the remorse of evil doing. These are the portion of the oppressors. (Homilist.)
All flesh shall know that I, the Lord, am thy Saviour
An all-sufficient Deliverer
I. A WORLD-WIDE NEED.
II. AN ALL-SUFFICIENT DELIVERER. (J. Smith, D.D.)
The safety of the Church
1. God is the Protector of the Church, and no weapon formed against her shall prosper.
2. The Church’s enemies shall be distracted in their counsels, and left to anarchy and overthrow.
3. The Church shall rise resplendent from all her persecutions, and shall prosper ultimately, just in proportion to their efforts to destroy it. (A. Barnes, D.D)
