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I. THE CHARACTER OF THE ASSEMBLY.

1. The halt.

2. The banished.

3. The afflicted.From this gather the ruined condition of man.

(1) The halt — incapable of any spiritual movement. Hence the corruption of the understanding, will, affections, memory; the whole man.

(2) Driven out; banished; expelled from God. Condemned by the law. Subject to God's wrath. Allied to God's enemies.

(3) Afflicted, that is, grievously distressed. Afflicted with blindness, lameness, deafness, dumbness, leprosy; and by sin, Satan, etc.

II. THEIR GRACIOUS ADVANCEMENT AND HONOUR. "I will make her that halteth a remnant." A remnant is a small quantity or number. A definitive or proportioned remnant. An eternally saved remnant. A gathered or collected remnant. A prosperous or happy remnant. A holy and righteous remnant. An opposed remnant. Yet finally a successful remnant. "And her that was cast far off a strong nation." Strong by reason of its situation; its fortifications; its judicious and good laws; its military skill; its ruler's wisdom. Consequently a blessed nation. "And the Lord shall reign over them in Mount Zion from henceforth forever." They are made submissive to Christ. Christ reigns in the Church generally. He reigns in the Church's officers. He reigns in the Church members. He reigns in the understandings of His people. He reigns in their will, subduing them. He reigns in their hearts. This reign is by the power of Divine grace.

III. THEIR POSITIVE AND INFALLIBLE SECURITY (ver. 8). Represented by a flock of sheep, denotive of feebleness, and liability to danger. But Christ is their tower of defence. A high and lofty tower, and a strong and safe tower. "The stronghold of the daughter of Zion." By the word daughter is meant the Church. This stronghold denotes that we have enemies. It is a hiding place for the Lord's prisoners. "Unto thee shall it come, even the first dominion." An eternally decreed dominion, over sin, Satan, the world, death. "The kingdom shall come to the daughter of Jerusalem." The kingdom of God's power; grace; glory. Improvement —

1. This subject teaches us man's total depravity and utter helplessness.

2. It also further proves that our salvation is entirely of grace.

3. It evinces the final security of all true believers.

(T. B. Baker.)

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KJV: In that day, saith the LORD, will I assemble her that halteth, and I will gather her that is driven out, and her that I have afflicted;

WEB: "In that day," says Yahweh, "I will assemble that which is lame, and I will gather that which is driven away, and that which I have afflicted;