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I. THE GRACIOUS PURPOSES OF GOD TOWARDS HIS PEOPLE. He "waits, that He may be gracious"; He is "exalted, that He may have mercy." The Jewish people are here supposed to be in a state of suffering; and they are assured that when the design of these sore judgments was fully answered, God would have mercy upon them. In what manner the Lord will be gracious unto them, the prophet unfolds (chps. 19-21). To these promises of spiritual blessings and permanent prosperity others are added; and the passage closes with this munificent prediction, — "The light of the moon shall be as the light of the sun," etc. (ver. 26). This splendid prophecy points to a period which is yet future, and to which the Church is still looking forward.

II. THE CHARACTER OF GOD IN REFERENCE TO THESE PURPOSE. In all our undertakings we have encouragement from the character of God. The text speaks of Him as "a God of judgment," — a title which is calculated to awaken the most useful reflections. He does as He pleases, and all He does is right. The word also implies deliberation — prudence: the will of God is not an arbitrary determination, but the will of deliberation. The word is opposed to haste and inconsideration. The term is applicable to all God's proceedings.

III. THE SPIRIT IN WHICH WE SHOULD LOOK FOR THE ACCOMPLISHMENT OF THIS PURPOSE. If the question be now asked, What is the posture the Church, which has been gathered from among, the Gentiles, should assume in reference to the rich provision made for the Jews? the answer is, They should "wait for Him."

1. In a spirit of patient expectation.

2. In the use of diligent exertions.

3. In the exercise of fervent prayer.

(T. Thomason, M. A.)

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KJV: And therefore will the LORD wait, that he may be gracious unto you, and therefore will he be exalted, that he may have mercy upon you: for the LORD is a God of judgment: blessed are all they that wait for him.

WEB: Therefore Yahweh will wait, that he may be gracious to you; and therefore he will be exalted, that he may have mercy on you, for Yahweh is a God of justice. Blessed are all those who wait for him.