Hebrews 3:10-11 Why I was grieved with that generation, and said, They do always err in their heart; and they have not known my ways.… Here we are to consider two points. 1. What are the ways of God. 2. How their not knowing of them was an aggravation of their sin. A way is that course wherein one walketh. It is attributed unto God metaphorically, and that in two respects — 1. Actively; setting out that way wherein God Himself walks. 2. Relatively; intending that way wherein He would have us to walk.Of the former kind there are two sorts. 1. God's secret way. This is His unsearchable council (Romans 11:33; Isaiah 55:3). 2. His manifest way. Under this in special are contained His works, whereby He declares Himself and His Divine properties unto us, as power, wisdom, truth, mercy, justice, wrath, &c. (Deuteronomy 32:4; Psalm 145:17). The ways wherein God would have us to walk are His precepts (Psalm 25:4, 8, 9; Psalm 81:13; Isaiah 2:3). The two latter kind of ways are here especially meant, namely, His works and His precepts. The works of God are styled His ways, because we may see Him as it were walking therein. For by His works we may discern the footsteps of His properties and providence (Psalm 68:24). By the goings of God are meant the distinct acts of the Divine providence. Where it is said to God, "Thy way is in the sea, and Thy path in the great waters," reference is had to God's manifestation of His power, wisdom, mercy, and justice in dividing the Red Sea for the Israelites to pass through it, and overwhelming their enemies thereby (Psalm 77:19). In this respect that God's works are ways wherein He may be seen walking, it is our duty — 1. To understand the ways of God, so far as He is pleased to walk in them, and to make them known to us. Thereby He shows Himself to be such a God as none can be imagined to be like unto Him (Psalm 66:3; Psalm 86:8). 2. To acknowledge the equity and righteousness of God's ways (Psalm 145:17). This is it whereabout God makes with the Israelites this vehement expostulation, and that again and again (Ezekiel 18:25, 29, and Ezekiel 33:17,20). To impeach God's ways of iniquity is a high degree of blasphemy. 3. To admire and magnify the Lord in His ways (Psalm 138:4, 5). Much is this duty pressed in, and under the title of God's works (Psalm 9:1; Psalm 40:5). God's precepts are frequently styled His ways. To demonstrate this more clearly this epithet way is often joined with God's precepts and commandments (Psalm 119:27, 32, 33, 35). God by His precepts doth declare unto men how they should carry themselves towards Him and towards one another, so as they are as a way for them to walk in, to observe and to do them. God's precepts are not for mere speculation, but for practice. It is the proper use of a way to walk in it. (W. Gouge.) Parallel Verses KJV: Wherefore I was grieved with that generation, and said, They do alway err in their heart; and they have not known my ways. |
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