Judges 3:12-30 And the children of Israel did evil again in the sight of the LORD: and the LORD strengthened Eglon the king of Moab against Israel… I. GOD'S MESSAGES ARE OF DIFFERENT KINDS. 1. Reconciliation. 2. Repentance. 3. Faith. 4. Life and salvation. 5. Gospel privileges. 6. Special tokens of Divine favour. 7. Deliverances. 8. Warning and threatening. 9. Calls to duty. 10. Commands. 11. Encouragement. 12. Doom. II. EVERY MAN HAS DIVINE MESSAGES SENT TO HIM PERSONALLY. In the gospel, in the ordinary providence of God, and in the workings of his own conscience. 1. God individualises every man. 2. The wise thing for every man is to act as if he were the only person dealt with. 3. The messages are framed so as to have always an individual application. III. GOD'S MESSAGES ARE ALWAYS TO BE REVERENTLY RECEIVED. IV. IT IS DANGEROUS TO TURN A DEAF EAR TO GOD'S MESSAGES. V. MESSAGES OF GOOD TO THE RIGHTEOUS AND OF EVIL TO THE WICKED OFTEN COME TOGETHER. VI. GOD SENDS MESSAGES OF MERCY BEFORE HE SENDS MESSAGES OF JUDGMENT. VII. IT IS OUR DUTY AND OUR WISDOM TO BE ALWAYS READY TO RECEIVE THE LORD'S MESSAGES. Most men are not ready when the message comes (Luke 17:27-30; Luke 12:20; Luke 16:19, with 23; Matthew 25:5; 1 Thessalonians 5:3; 1 Kings 22:26, 27, with 34-37; Proverbs 14:32; Matthew 7:13; 2 Samuel 18:9). Some are ready (Luke 2:29, 30; 2 Timothy 4:6-8; Acts 7:59, 60; Hebrews 11:13-16; 2 Corinthians 5:2, 9; 2 Samuel 15:26; Chronicles 23. 5; 1 Samuel 3:18). (J. P. Millar.) Parallel Verses KJV: And the children of Israel did evil again in the sight of the LORD: and the LORD strengthened Eglon the king of Moab against Israel, because they had done evil in the sight of the LORD. |
    |