Bible Commentaries

CONTENTS

This Chapter is much in the strain of the general tenor of the Prophets, full of reproof mingled with gracious promises. Through the whole of the Chapter we find much of the love of God, even in the midst of threatened judgment.

It must have been a sad day with the Church, and indeed the history of those times proves it was, when it was as with the priest, so with the people. A state of general corruption prevailed. Isaiah the contemporary of Micah, hath described it. Isaiah 24:1-12.

But here we have the most awful account, when the ministers of God, or the pretenders to that ministry, are given up to a deluded mind. While the Lord keeps his sanctuary pure, and the streams unpolluted, there is hope that the minds of the people may through grace, drink of those fountains of life and salvation in the sacred word: But if those who minister in divine things, are themselves given up to strong delusions; what must the end be to the common people? Reader! look into what is said by the Apostle concerning the last days, and then consider how near the present hour is approaching them. 2 Thessalonians 2:11-12.

What a blessed verse is this! And what a gracious relief from the awful account which went before. Who that reads it, but must feel constrained to cry out, Lord! give to thy Church and people, pastors after thine own mind, and full of the Spirit of the Lord. Jeremiah 3:15.

The Chapter closeth as it opened, full of judgment; but all preparatory to mercy, as the following Chapter declares. Indeed we ought to read both together, that we might do as the Psalmist did, when he sang both of judgment and mercy. The Holy Ghost in his divine office convinces of sin, and convinceth of Christ's righteousness. Psalms 101:1; John 16:8-11.

REFLECTIONS

BLESSED Lord! we thank thee, that amidst all our unworthiness and departures, like Israel, thou hast not withdrawn our sabbaths, nor made the sun to go down upon our Prophets. Still there is in our midst, the blessed word of thy Gospel, the means of grace, and the cry proclaimed every returning Lord's day; he that hath an ear to hear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the Churches! And though in the present hour Zion is plowed as a field, and the mountain of the Lord's house lieth low; yet thou hast said that thou wilt visit thy people in the latter day, and gather them together as the sheep of Bozrah. Do, Lord, as thou hast said: and hasten the auspicious hour, when a little one shall become a thousand, and a small one a strong nation; for thou hast said, I the Lord will hasten it in his time.