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GOD’S GRACIOUS DESIGNS TOWARDS HIS CHOSEN PEOPLE
THE peculiar importance of these words may be judged of from hence, that the prophet, without any apparent necessity, or indeed any visible connexion, introduces them again, towards the close of his prophecies [Note: Jer_46:27-28.]. But the subject of them is so consolatory, and the view which they open to us of God’s future dispensations is so glorious, that they may well be proposed to our most attentive consideration. Respecting their primary import we can have no doubt. They look forward to a period far beyond the return of the Jews from Babylon, even to that blessed period, when the whole nation shall be converted to the faith of Christ, and be restored to the possession of the land of Canaan [Note: ver. 8, 9.]. That such a period shall arrive, we have the strongest and most unequivocal declarations of Holy Writ [Note: Compare Hos_3:5.]: and it becomes us all to look forward to it with confidence and joy.
But we must not so contemplate the future good of others, as to overlook our own personal and immediate welfare. The words before us convey most comfortable tidings to ourselves; which therefore we shall advert to in connexion with the event to which they more especially refer: and in order to this we shall deduce from them some general observations. Observe then,
I. That God has glorious things in reserve for his chosen people—
1. For the Jewish people—
[There is certainly mercy in reserve for them:“their yoke has never been so broken from their neck, but that strangers have served themselves of them [Note: ver. 8.],” and do still oppress them. A season of happiness awaits them, such as they never experienced in their most prosperous days: “they shall be at rest, and be quiet, and none shall make them afraid:” and this outward peace shall be only a shadow of that inward joy which they snail experience under the protection of their reconciled God and Saviour, who will be “a little sanctuary unto them [Note: Eze_11:16-17. with Jer_23:6.].”]
2. For his people among all nations—
[However “far off” his people are, God sees and knows them [Note: 2Ti_2:19.], and will in due season bring them to himself [Note: Joh_10:16.]. No enemy shall be able to detain them: their bonds shall be broken, and they shall be “brought into the glorious liberty of the children of God.” O what sweet peace and composure of mind shall they enjoy, when they are truly brought to the fold of Christ [Note: Psa_23:1-2.]! what blessed assurance too shall they possess, not only of their present interest in the Saviour, but of final victory and everlasting felicity [Note: Psa_23:4-6.]!
Yet is this but the beginning of blessings: the time shall come when the saints of all ages, even from the beginning to the end of time, shall be gathered together, every one of them freed from all remains of sin and sorrow, and raised to the fruition of their heavenly inheritance.
Shall we not then, whilst we contemplate the future destinies of God’s ancient people, consider also our own; when, even in this life, such “things are prepared for us as no un-renewed eye hath seen, or ear heard, or heart conceived [Note: 1Co_2:9.];” and, in the world to come, such things as exceed the comprehension whether of men or angels?]
Subservient to this great design, God orders every thing for them in love, so,
II. That even his darkest dispensations towards them are intended for their good—
This was, and still is, the case with respect to the Jews.
[The sending of that whole nation into captivity in Babylon was doubtless a heavy judgment: but yet we are expressly told that God designed it “for their good [Note: Jer_24:5.].” And we doubt not but that the destruction of their whole estate and polity by the Romans, together with their present dispersion over the face of the whole earth, is intended for their good also. By the Babylonish captivity they were cured of idolatry; and by the total abolition of the temple worship, all hope of obtaining mercy by the ceremonial rites and ceremonies is cut off, and they are “shut up unto the faith that is now revealed.” We trust also that they are preparing to be God’s honoured instruments of evangelizing the world; seeing that the receiving of them into the Church will be as life from the dead to the Gentile world [Note: Rom_11:15.]. We see clearly that there is an immense difference put between them and all the nations which once led them captive. The Egyptians, Assyrians, Chaldeans, Romans, have ceased to exist as distinct kingdoms; and have been lost, as it were, among the people who subdued them: but the Jews are in every place a distinct people, and are so kept by God’s overruling providence, that he may accomplish more manifestly his gracious purposes towards them. Many indeed, like Pharaoh, have sought their destruction; but they live as monuments of God’s unceasing care and faithfulness.]
And may not we also see the hand of God ordering and overruling every thing for our good?
[His chastening hand may have been upon us; but the consolations and supports with which he has favoured us have almost changed the very nature of our afflictions. Besides, he has, like a skilful Refiner, apportioned our trials to our necessities; and always either increased our strength to sustain them, or provided for us a way to escape from them. Let any one of us look back, even the most afflicted amongst us, and say, Whether God has not corrected always “in measure [Note: Isa_27:7-8.]?” yea, whether his corrections have not “wrought for our good;” and whether, if our hearts be indeed right with God, they have not been “working out for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory [Note: Rom_8:28. 2Co_4:17-18.]?” Yes, “by these has our iniquity been purged; and the fruit of them has been to take away our sin [Note: Isa_27:9.]:” and in all that God may have inflicted on us, he has acted the part, not of an angry Judge, but of a loving Father [Note: Heb_12:6-8.].]
Well may God’s people rejoice in such hopes as these, seeing,
III. That his presence with them is their never-failing security—
God did not so withdraw from the Jews in Babylon, but that he was with them to watch over them, and to overrule events for their deliverance at the time appointed. Thus at this day he hears the cries of his afflicted people, and only waits till the appointed time to shew himself strong in their behalf. Thus is his presence with us our security also.
[He has promised “never to leave us nor forsake us [Note: Heb_13:5.].” In our troubles more especially has he engaged to be with us [Note: Isa_43:2-3.]. Nor will he ever leave us, till he has accomplished all the good pleasure of his goodness towards us [Note: Gen_28:15.]. Had it not been for his presence with his Church and people, their enemies would long since have triumphed over them: but because “he is with them to save them,” they shall be “more than conquerors” over all their enemies, and “be saved by him with an everlasting salvation.”]
Application—
Thrice, in the parallel passage, does God repeat the exhortation, “Fear not [Note: Jer_46:27-28.].” We therefore will address that exhortation,
1. To those who are afar off—
[Look at the Jews in Babylon, or in their present state; What can be conceived more hopeless? — — — Yet they were, and shall be delivered. Let none then despair, as if they were beyond the reach of mercy: for “God’s hand is not shortened that it cannot save;” and they shall “be brought nigh by the blood of Jesus,” which is able to “cleanse from all sin.”]
2. To those who are visited with any great affliction—
[You are apt to conclude, that, because you are afflicted, you are monuments of God’s wrath. But God makes these very afflictions a subject of promise: “I will correct thee in measure, and will not leave thee altogether unpunished.” He knows that without these afflictions you would never return to him, nor ever be purified from your dross: it is because you are a child, and not a bastard, that he thus visits you with his chastising rod. It was in this view of his dispensations that David said, “In very faithfulness thou hast afflicted me.” Faithfulness has respect to a promise: and it is your privilege to see every one of your afflictions as the fruit of his faithfulness and love.]
3. To those who are under discouragement of any kind—
[“Fear not, feat not, fear not.” It is God’s delight to “bind up the broken-hearted, and to comfort all that mourn;” and thrice does he renew to you the exhortation, “Fear not.” Only seek to have his presence with you, and you need fear nothing. Remember the disciples in the storm. Could they sink whilst Jesus was in the vessel with them [Note: Mar_4:37-40.]? Neither can ye, under your circumstances, If God be for you, none can be effectually against you. Take him with you then, wherever you go; and “the gates of hell shall not prevail against you [Note: Isa_41:10; Isa_41:14.].”]