For the people turneth not unto Him that smiteth them
God’s rod should be kissed
“The people turneth not unto Him that smiteth them.
” That is one element of the cause of this judgment. They do not kiss the rod: they see it to be a rod only; they do not understand that judgment is the severe aspect of mercy, and that without mercy there could be no real judgment. There might be condemnation, destruction, annihilation, but “judgment” is a combined or compound term, involving in all its rich music every possible utterance of law and grace and song and hope. When a man kisses the hand that wields the rod, the rod blossoms, and God’s judgment becomes God’s grace. (J. Parker, D. D.)
Turning to God
Sin is described in. Scripture as departing from God. Repentance, therefore, is returning to Him. To “seek” God, in the idiom of Scripture, is to pray to Him (Isa_55:6), to consult Him (Isa_8:19), to resort to Him for help (Isa_31:1), to hold communion with Amo_5:4-5). Hence it is sometimes descriptive of a godly life in general (Psa_14:2). So here it includes repentance, conversion, and new obedience. (J. A. Alexander.)
God’s purpose in affliction should be considered
A very holy man, who was working on behalf of the sufferers in the recent plague at Bombay, wrote home to ask certain of his friends not to pray that God would remove the plague, but to pray that whatever was His purpose and intention in sending it might be done. It was a true and lofty view. (C. H.Sharpe.)
Chastisement should bring the soul to God
A Christian friend visiting a good man under great distress and afflicting dispensations, which he bore with such patient and composed resignation as to make his friend wonder and admire it, inquired how he was enabled so to comfort himself? The good man said, “The distress I am under is indeed severe; but I find it lightens the stroke very much to creep near to Him who handles the rod!” (J. Whitecross.)
