Deuteronomy 32:20 And he said, I will hide my face from them, I will see what their end shall be: for they are a very fraudulent generation… I. THAT GOD DOTH REALLY AND HEARTILY DESIRE THE HAPPINESS OF MEN AND TO PREVENT THEIR MISERY AND RUIN. For the very design of these words is to express this to us, and it is done in a very vehement and, as I may say, passionate manner. II. THAT IT IS A GREAT POINT OF WISDOM TO CONSIDER SERIOUSLY THE LAST ISSUE AND CONSEQUENCE OF OUR ACTIONS, whither they tend, and what will follow upon them. And therefore wisdom is here described by the consideration of our latter end. III. THAT THIS IS AN EXCELLENT MEANS TO PREVENT THAT MISERY WHICH WILL OTHERWISE BEFALL US. And this is necessarily implied in this wish, that if they would but consider these things they might be prevented. IV. THAT THE WANT OF THIS CONSIDERATION IS THE GREAT CAUSE OF MEN'S RUIN. And this is likewise implied in the words, that one great reason of men's ruin is because they are not so wise as to consider the fatal consequences of a sinful course. This is the desperate folly of mankind, that they seldom think seriously of the consequence of their actions, and least of all such as are of greatest concernment to them, and have the chief influence upon their eternal condition. They do not consider what mischief and inconveniency a wicked life may plunge them into in this world, what trouble and disturbance it may give them when they come to die. 1. That consideration is the proper act of reasonable creatures, and that whereby we show ourselves men. So the prophet intimates (Isaiah 46:8). 2. Whether we consider it or not, our latter end will come; and all those dismal consequences of a sinful course, which God hath so plainly threatened, and our own consciences do so much dread, will certainly overtake us at last; and we cannot by not thinking of these things ever prevent or avoid them. (Archbishop Tillotson.) Parallel Verses KJV: And he said, I will hide my face from them, I will see what their end shall be: for they are a very froward generation, children in whom is no faith. |
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