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GOD CONTEMPLATED
THESE are supposed, by some, to be the words of Jehovah: but they seem rather to be spoken by Israel, who, under the chastisements of the Most High, were brought to a measure of penitential reflection. Such was the effect which God designed to produce upon them [Note: Jer_3:4.]. And he complained when his judgments did not operate thus favourably upon their minds [Note: Cite Jer_2:5-7. which precisely accords with the text.] — — — A review of former mercies is at all times very desirable, as well for our own comfort as for God’s glory. I would therefore now call upon you to contemplate the Most High,
I. In a way of grateful recollection—
The wonders wrought for Israel, in their redemption from Egypt, are here recounted—
[Here they record their passage through the Red Sea, and the special influences of the Spirit of God upon Moses and the elders, during their sojourning in the Wilderness, and their final rest in Canaan, the promised land. Repeatedly is every one of these mercies specified in my text. Thrice is a passage through the sea mentioned; with this particular circumstance, that, whereas the bottom of the sea is for the most part abrupt and rugged, it was so smoothed for them, that the whole nation, men, women, children, and all their cattle, were enabled to pass it “without stumbling,” and with the same facility as a horse moves in the open field. Twice also is the Holy Spirit mentioned, as exerting his all-powerful influence on the minds of their leaders, so as to conduct them in the safest way, and to the greatest possible advantage. Their final rest too in Canaan is illustrated by a beautiful simile of a beast, which, after all his labours, descends into a fertile valley, and, under the eye of his master, enjoys in the greatest perfection such provision and rest as his necessities require.
These things formed the principal theme of praise and thanksgiving to that people in all ages. After their return from Babylon, Nehemiah expatiated upon them with adoring gratitude [Note: Neh_9:5-25.]; and to this hour they are deservedly the great subject of that nation’s boast.]
Nor are they less interesting to us than to the Jews themselves—
[In these manifestations of God’s power and grace, we see far more than in any description of the Deity that could be given us. Here we see Jehovah in action, if I may so speak. Every one of his perfections is here painted, as it were, to the very life. Whatever expressions might be used to characterize his condescension and love, we could not form so just a conception of him as from this history. Behold his sovereignty, in choosing a people so unworthy of his love! Behold his power, in bringing them forth from the midst of such a powerful nation, that were determined to retain them in their bondage! Behold his care over them for the space of forty years, providing for their every want; and his truth and faithfulness, in bringing them at last into the promised land! And is he not the same God now? Or will he do less for his people now? or rather, will he not do at this time for the souls of his people as much as he then did for their bodies? I say, these manifestations of his power and grace deserve to be reviewed by us, no less than by the Jews themselves: and we suffer great loss, in not calling them more frequently and more gratefully to our remembrance.]
But let us contemplate him more especially,
II. In a way of affectionate inquiry—
Twice is the inquiry made, “Where is he?” And this inquiry should be made by us,
1. That we may obtain similar mercies at his hands—
[We need, in fact, the very same mercies as were vouchsafed to the Jews of old. For, are not we also in bondage? — — — And can anything less than Omnipotence deliver us? Are there not also seas of difficulty before us, through which we need to be brought by the spiritual influence of Heaven? — — — And do we not need the Holy Spirit also, to instruct and guide us in all our way, and to accomplish in us and for us all the good pleasure of our God? — — — Need we not the same provision also for our daily wants? And do we not need that rest which remaineth for us in the Canaan above? — — — Yes, in truth; all that was vouchsafed to Israel of old, is a type, and not a type only, but a pledge also, of what shall be vouchsafed to us, it only we commit ourselves, like Israel of old, to the guidance and protection of our God [Note: Illustrate this by Psa_77:5; Psa_77:11-13; Psa_77:19-20.]. Inquire, then, I pray you, “Where is this God?” “Where is He” that did these wonders for his people of old; that we may supplicate his favour, and have them renewed to us?]
2. That we may render to him the honour due unto his name—
[This also is twice mentioned, as God’s peculiar design in all that he wrought for Israel of old. And surely it should be a primary motive with us in contemplating all which he did for them, and all that he has done for us also, in that more wonderful redemption which he has accomplished for us through the Son of his love. Methinks our hearts should be full of it: we should never forget it for a single moment: we should be speaking of it every day, and all the day long. We should never be contented to remain at a distance from him. In attending upon the public ordinances, we should go in this spirit; “Where is he?” ‘I want to find my God; I want to tell him of all his tender mercies; and to adore him for all the wonders of his love.’ In our secret chamber, too, this should be our one desire; nor should we be ever satisfied, till we can say, with the Church of old, “I have found Him whom my soul loveth [Note: Son_3:3-4.].” The constant habit of our mind, whether in public or private, should be, “I will mention the loving-kindness of the Lord, and the praises of the Lord, according to all that the Lord hath bestowed upon us; and the great goodness toward the house of Israel that he hath bestowed on them, according to his mercies, and according to the multitude of his loving-kindnesses [Note: ver. 7.].”]
See, then, Brethren,
1. What improvement to make of your troubles—
[They are sent in order to bring you nigh unto God [Note: Hos_5:15; Hos_7:14; Hos_7:16.]: and if they produce this effect, you will have reason to bless God for them to all eternity. Be careful, however, that these impressions do not pass away with the occasion that calls them forth. Alas! our better feelings too often prove but transient [Note: See Psa_78:34-37.] — — — And then, like metal taken from the furnace, we become only the more obdurate. But “we hope better things of you;” and that you will be able to attest, that your trials have only quickened your desires after God, and rendered you more thankful for all the mercies that have been vouchsafed unto you.]
2. What to expect at the hands of God—
[See, in the text, Elijah’s mantle; and take it up; and, with an impassable river before you, strike the waters in faith, saying, “Where is the Lord God of Elijah [Note: 2Ki_2:14.]?” See how the Church of old acted in the extremity of her trouble: “Awake, awake, put on strength, O arm of the Lord! awake, as in the ancient days, in the generations of old! Art thou not it that hath cut Rahab (Egypt), and wounded the dragon? Art thou not it which hath dried the sea, the waters of the great deep; that hath made the depths of the sea a way for the ransomed to pass over [Note: Isa_51:9-10.]?” Thus may you expect your greatest obstacles to be made the very means of your preservation. Only picture to yourselves the weary beast feeding or reclining in the fertile valley; and there you have the perfect image of what shall be done for you, when once your appointed labours shall be ended: you shall then “rest for ever from your labours,” and enjoy perfect peace in the bosom of your God.]