od's judgments. (1-14) Exhortations to fasting and prayer;
blessings promised. (15-27) A promise of the Holy Spirit, and of
future mercies. (28-32)
Verses 1-14: The priests were to alarm the people with the near
approach of the Divine judgments. It is the work of ministers to
warn of the fatal consequences of sin, and to reveal the wrath
from heaven against the ungodliness and unrighteousness of men.
The striking description which follows, shows what would attend
the devastations of locusts, but may also describe the effects
from the ravaging of the land by the Chaldeans. If the alarm of
temporal judgments is given to offending nations, how much more
should sinners be warned to seek deliverance from the wrath to
come! Our business therefore on earth must especially be, to
secure an interest in our Lord Jesus Christ; and we should seek
to be weaned from objects which will soon be torn from all who
now make idols of them. There must be outward expressions of
sorrow and shame, fasting, weeping, and mourning; tears for
trouble must be turned into tears for the sin that caused it.
But rending the garments would be vain, except their hearts were
rent by abasement and self-abhorrence; by sorrow for their sins,
and separation from them. There is no question but that if we
truly repent of our sins, God will forgive them; but whether he
will remove affliction is not promised, yet the probability of
it should encourage us to repent.
Verses 15-27: The priests and rulers are to appoint a solemn fast. The
sinner's supplication is, Spare us, good Lord. God is ready to
succour his people; and he waits to be gracious. They prayed
that God would spare them, and he answered them. His promises
are real answers to the prayers of faith; with him saying and
doing are not two things. Some understand these promises
figuratively, as pointing to gospel grace, and as fulfilled in
the abundant comforts treasured up for believers in the covenant
of grace.
Verses 28-32: The promise began to be fulfilled on the day of
Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit was poured out, and it was
continued in the converting grace and miraculous gifts conferred
on both Jews and Gentiles. The judgments of God upon a sinful
world, only go before the judgment of the world in the last day.
Calling on God supposes knowledge of him, faith in him, desire
toward him, dependence on him, and, as evidence of the sincerity
of all this, conscientious obedience to him. Those only shall be
delivered in the great day, who are now effectually called from
sin to God, from self to Christ, from things below to things
above.
od's judgments. (1-14) Exhortations to fasting and prayer;
blessings promised. (15-27) A promise of the Holy Spirit, and of
future mercies. (28-32)