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GOD’S COMPASSION
THE riches of divine grace are manifest in all the promises; but they are more eminently displayed in the manner in which the promises are given. God often introduces them after an enumeration of his people’s sins. The passage before us well exemplifies this remark [Note: See similar instances, Isa_43:22-25; Isa_57:17-18.]. God has been contrasting his kindness to Israel, and their ingratitude towards him; in the text he sets forth their wickedness with all its aggravations: yet all this is preparatory, not to a heavy denunciation of his wrath, but to the tenderest expressions of paternal love—
I. The conduct of men towards God—
The ten tribes, since their separation from Judah, had become idolaters: yet God calls them his people because they had been admitted into covenant with him, and still professed to be his. Thus all who call themselves Christians are “God’s people.”
But they “are bent to backsliding from him”—
[The ungodly are justly compared to an unruly heifer: they will not submit to the yoke of God’s laws: their whole spirit and temper is like that of Pharaoh [Note: Exo_5:2.]; the “bent” and inclination of their hearts is wholly towards sin. An outward conformity to God’s will they may approve, but they have a rooted aversion to spiritual obedience.]
Nor can they by any means be prevailed on to “exalt and honour him”—
[They are “called” frequently by God’s ministers; they are exhorted and entreated to return to the Most High; but neither promises can allure nor threatenings alarm them:. they turn a deaf ear to all admonitions; they will not “exalt” God in their hearts and lives.]
This is almost universally the conduct of mankind—
[There are a few indeed who desire and delight to serve God; they wish him to be the sole Lord and Governor of their hearts; it is their study to exalt him both in their words and actions: but these are few in every age and place; so few, that, in comparison of the rebellious, they may be said to be “none at all.”]
What might such persons expect at the hand of God?
II. God’s conduct towards them—
How different are God’s ways from the ways of man! Instead of executing vengeance in a moment,
He deliberates—
[Admah and Zeboim were cities destroyed with Sodom and Gomorrah; and such monuments of wrath do the unregenerate deserve to be; but God knows not, as it were, how to inflict the deserved punishment: he calls to mind that they are his people [Note: The repetition of their names, “thee, Ephraim, and thee, Israel,” seems to import tenderness and affection towards them.]; he hesitates, like a parent that is about to disinherit his son; thus is he distracted between his affection for them, and his regard for his own honour [Note: Thus also in Hos_6:4.].]
He relents—
[To accommodate himself to our weak apprehensions, he speaks of himself after the manner of men: he cannot endure the thought of making men the objects of his everlasting displeasure. Thus did Jesus weep over the murderous Jerusalem [Note: Luk_19:41.]; and thus do the bowels of our Father yearn over us [Note: Jer_31:20.].]
He resolves—
[Often has “the fierce anger” of the Lord been kindled against us; yet many times has he turned away from his wrathful indignation [Note: Psa_78:38.]: often, when his bow was bent, has he forborne to strike [Note: Psa_7:11-12.]: be waits, if peradventure we may yet return to him. His language to his rebellious creatures is the same as ever [Note: Jer_3:12-13.]—.]
Infer—
1. How precious in the sight of God are the souls of men!
[When it was necessary for man’s salvation, God gave his Son: nor did he then deliberate, “how shall I do this [Note: Rom_8:32.]?” neither did he relent, when he laid our iniquities on him [Note: Mar_14:35-36.]; yea, he was even pleased in bruising his own Son for us [Note: This is the proper sense of Isa_53:10.]. But when a sinner seems irreclaimable, every tender emotion is excited; God sustains a conflict in his mind, and cannot give him up. O that men would duly estimate the worth of their own souls!]
2. How just will be the condemnation of the impenitent!
[This compassion of God greatly aggravates their backslidings; and at last it will give way to wrath and indignation [Note: Gen_6:3.]. Soon God will not deliberate, but decide; not relent, but laugh at their calamity; not resolve to pardon, but swear they shall not enter into his rest. Then how just will their condemnation appear! May this goodness of God now lead us to repentance!]
3. How certainly shall the returning sinner find mercy!
[If God feel thus for the rebellious, how much more for the penitent! Let all then seek him with humble confidence in his mercy. Let them offer their supplications like those of old [Note: Isa_63:15.]—; so shall that song of praise succeed their present disquietude [Note: Isa_12:1.]—]