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THE LOVE OF GOD TOWARDS HIS PEOPLE
AMONGST those who have the Gospel fully opened to them, the history of the Jews must of necessity be familiar. Yet, however familiar it be to our minds, we need to have it frequently brought to our remembrance, since it exhibits with unrivalled clearness the dispensations of God’s providence, and shadows forth with most astonishing exactness the wonders of his grace. The words which we have just read may be considered as a kind of summary of that history: in them are recorded God’s tender compassion towards his people, whilst they were groaning under the yoke of Pharaoh—the means he used for their deliverance, by sending an angel, the Angel of the Covenant, his only dear Son, to bring them forth from Egypt—the success of those means in their complete redemption—and his continued care over them during the whole period of their sojourning in the wilderness. We might, not unprofitably, enter into a particular consideration of all these events, and take occasion from them to adore the power and faithfulness of Jehovah: but we propose rather to turn your attention to the mercies vouchsafed unto ourselves; and we would lead you to notice,
I. His tender compassion towards ourselves—
[Even in our unconverted state he looks on us with an eye of pity [Note: Compare Exo_3:7. with Hos_11:7-9.], longing for our return [Note: Jer_13:27.], and following us with invitations to accept of mercy [Note: Eze_33:11.]. But the very instant we begin to feel the burthen of our sins, and to mourn over them, all the tenderest emotions of love are excited in his breast, and he flies, as it were, to raise us from our depression, and to comfort us in our sorrows [Note: Luk_15:20.]. Every sigh and groan enters into his cars, and every tear is treasured up in his vials [Note: See that beautiful representation of his love, Jer_31:18; Jer_31:20.].
We pass over his sympathy with us under all our subsequent trials, because that will be more advantageously noticed in another part of our discourse; and we proceed to notice,]
II. The wonderful deliverance he vouchsafes unto us—
[The angel by whom God saved the Church in the wilderness, is the same as he still employs for our salvation [Note: Compare Exo_3:1-6; Exo_3:13-14. with Act_7:30-34.]; even “the Messenger of the Covenant [Note: Mal_3:1.],” the Lord Jesus Christ [Note: 1Co_10:9.]. He has sent that divine person to “redeem us,” not by power only, but by price, even the inestimable price of his own blood [Note: 1Pe_1:18-19. Rev_5:9.]. And to what must we ascribe this stupendous gift? Was it bestowed on account of any merit in us, either that God had already seen, or that he foresaw as hereafter to exist? No: it was to “his love and pity” alone that we are indebted, either for his first gift of his Son to redeem the world, or for his application of that redemption to our souls. “He loved us, because he would love us [Note: Deu_7:7-8.]:” and to his free and sovereign grace must all the glory be ascribed, by all the hosts of his redeemed for ever and ever.
But our obligation to his love and pity are best seen in,]
III. The continued care with which he watches over us—
[Exceeding beautiful is the description given of his attention to his people in the wilderness [Note: Deu_32:10-12.]: and justly may it be considered as illustrating the care which he takes of us [Note: See Isa_40:11; Isa_46:3-4.]. There is not any state in which his eye is not upon us for good. Are we assaulted by persecution or temptation? he stands ready to succour us with grace sufficient for us, and to make us “more than conquerors” over all. Every returning want will he supply [Note: Isa_33:16; Isa_41:17-18.], and “keep us by his power through faith unto everlasting salvation [Note: 1Pe_1:5.].”]
Address—
1. Those who are the Lord’s only in name and profession—
[Such, alas! were the great mass of those who came out of Egypt; and therefore they were left to perish in the wilderness. This is particularly specified in the words following our text [Note: ver. 10.]: and the same fate will befall us also, if we do not give up ourselves to God in a way of holy obedience [Note: Exo_23:20-21. with Mat_7:21.].]
2. Those who are his in deed and in truth—
[Two things we wish you ever to bear in mind; namely, your privileges, and your obligations. As for your privileges, what tongue can ever declare them, what finite understanding can ever fully apprehend them? O remember “the Rock whence ye are hewn, and the hole of the pit whence ye are digged,” and let the wonders of redemption be your meditation day and night. Consider too your obligations. “What manner of people ought ye to be, in all holy conversation and godliness!” Surely, “having been bought with so great a price, ye should ever glorify your God with your body and your spirit, which are his [Note: 1Co_6:20.].”]