srael is called to seek the Lord. (1-6) Earnest exhortations
to repentance. (7-17) Threatenings respecting idolatries.
(18-27)
Verses 1-6: The convincing, awakening word must be heard and heeded, as
well as words of comfort and peace; for whether we hear or
forbear, the word of God shall take effect. The Lord still
proclaims mercy to men, but they often expect deliverance from
such self-invented forms as make their condemnation sure. While
they refuse to come to Christ and to seek mercy in and by him,
that they may live, the fire of Divine wrath breaks forth upon
them. Men may make an idol of the world, but will find it cannot
protect.
Verses 7-17: The same almighty power can, for repenting sinners, easily
turn affliction and sorrow into prosperity and joy, and as
easily turn the prosperity of daring sinners into utter
darkness. Evil times will not bear plain dealing; that is, evil
men will not. And these men were evil men indeed, when wise and
good men thought it in vain even to speak to them. Those who
will seek and love that which is good, may help to save the land
from ruin. It behoves us to plead God's spiritual promises, to
beseech him to create in us a clean heart, and to renew a right
spirit within us. The Lord is ever ready to be gracious to the
souls that seek him; and then piety and every duty will be
attended to. But as for sinful Israel, God's judgments had often
passed by them, now they shall pass through them.
Verses 18-27: Woe unto those that desire the day of the Lord's
judgments, that wish for times of war and confusion; as some who
long for changes, hoping to rise upon the ruins of their
country! but this should be so great a desolation, that nobody
could gain by it. The day of the Lord will be a dark, dismal,
gloomy day to all impenitent sinners. When God makes a day dark,
all the world cannot make it light. Those who are not reformed
by the judgments of God, will be pursued by them; if they escape
one, another stands ready to seize them. A pretence of piety is
double iniquity, and so it will be found. The people of Israel
copied the crimes of their forefathers. The law of worshipping
the Lord our God, is, Him only we must serve. Professors thrive
so little, because they have little or no communion with God in
their duties. They were led captive by Satan into idolatry,
therefore God caused them to go into captivity among idolaters.
srael is called to seek the Lord. (1-6) Earnest exhortations
to repentance. (7-17) Threatenings respecting idolatries.
(18-27)