Jeremiah 14:7-9 O LORD, though our iniquities testify against us, do you it for your name's sake: for our backslidings are many… I. THE MYSTERIOUS CONTRADICTION BETWEEN THE IDEAL OF ISRAEL AND THE ACTUAL CONDITION OF THINGS. The ancient charter of Israel's existence was that God should dwell in their midst; but things are as if the perennial presence promised had been changed into visits, short and far between. Two ideas conveyed: the brief transitory visits, with long dreary stretches of absence between them; and the indifference of the visitant, as a man who pitches his tent for a night, caring little for the people among whom he tarries the while. More: instead of the perpetual energy of the Divine aid promised to Israel, it looks as if Thou art "a mighty man astonied," etc., — a Samson with locks shorn. II. OUR LOW AND EVIL CONDITION SHOULD LEAD TO EARNEST INQUIRY AS TO ITS CAUSE. 1. The reason is not in any variableness of that unalterable, uniform, ever-present, ever-full Divine gift of God's Spirit to His Church. 2. Nor in the failure of adaptation in God's Word and ordinances for the great work they had to do. 3. The fault lies here only: "O Lord, our iniquities testify against us," etc. We have to prayerfully, patiently, and honestly search after this cause, and not to look to possible variations and improvements in order and machinery, etc. III. THIS CONSCIOUSNESS OF OUR EVIL CONDITION AND KNOWLEDGE OF THE CAUSE LEAD ON TO LOWLY PENITENCE AND CONFESSION. We err in being more ready, when awakened to a sense of wrong, to originate new methods of work, to begin with new zeal to gather in the outcasts into the fold; instead of beginning with ourselves, deepening our own Christian character, purifying our own hearts, and getting more of the life of God into our own spirits. Begin with lowly abasement at His footstool. IV. THE TRIUMPHANT CONFIDENCE OF BELIEVING PRAYER. 1. Look at the substance of His petition. He does not prescribe what should be done, nor ask that calamity be taken away, but simply for the continual Divine presence and power. 2. Look at these pleas with God as grounds of confidence for ourselves. (1) The name: all the ancient manifestations of Thy character. Thy memorial with all generations. (2) Israel's hope: the confidence of the Church is fixed upon Thee; and Thou who hast given us Thy name hast become our hope. (3) The perennial and essential relationship of God to His Church: we belong to Thee, and Thou hast not ceased Thy care for us. (A. Maclaren, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: O LORD, though our iniquities testify against us, do thou it for thy name's sake: for our backslidings are many; we have sinned against thee. |
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