Homiletic Review Psalm 99:8 You answered them, O LORD our God: you were a God that forgave them, though you took vengeance of their inventions. Here we see, as in a glass, how God deals with His people. Toward their persons He acts in grace, answering their prayers and forgiving their trespasses — towards their sins, in justice, taking vengeance on their inventions. The allusion is to Moses, who must die in the wilderness because he sanctified not the Lord at the waters of strife; to Aaron, who joined with Miriam in murmuring; and to Samuel, who was partial to his sons whom he appointed judges over Israel. I. THE MOST FAITHFUL TO GOD HAVE COMMITTED SOME SINS WHICH NEED HIS PARDON. These may be — 1. Concerning His worship. This was Aaron's sin (Deuteronomy 9:20). Uzziah only puts forth his hand to steady the ark, and he dies. God's order of worship must be observed. Holy acts require holy frames. "The fear of the Lord" ever attends on the "comforts of the Holy Ghost" (Acts 9:31). 2. Neglecting to give God glory before men (Numbers 20:10). God's glory is very dear to Him, it is the end of all His purposes and dispensations (Malachi 1:16). It is very great attainment to say continually, "Let God be magnified." 3. Want of humiliation because of our and other's sins. We are more proud of our graces than ashamed of our sins. Jeshurun (Deuteronomy 32:15), Uzziah (2 Chronicles 26:16), David prays (Psalm 25:5), Job complains (Job 13:26).The sins of youth, if not confessed, will be the sufferings of age. A believer has his sweetest joys with his deepest wounds, his greatest exaltation when most truly humbled. In all our sufferings and joys, sin and grace should never be forgotten. Samuel was faithful to God, but too favourable to his sons (1 Samuel 8:3). what a commendation it was to Levi (Deuteronomy 33:9). II. WHY DOES GOD TAKE VENGEANCE ON THEIR INVENTIONS, WHILE HE PARDONS THEIR SINS? 1. To prevent the abuse of His mercy. Samson profaned God's ordinance and fell into the hands of his enemies; Peter, etc. If Christians, like the men of Bethshemesh, pry unwarrantably into the ark, they must like them suffer (Jeremiah 2:19). 2. To manifest the holiness of God and His law. Our sins are known, our repentings and pardon unknown, therefore God publicly vindicates His holy name by a public reproof. He pardoned David, yet the child died. 3. To secure our watchfulness. A believer's very life lies in heart holiness, and when he is chastened for sin, he prays, "Cleanse me from secret faults," searches out earnestly his besetting sin, and walks more closely with God. 4. To warn the impenitent. If the son be scourged, surely the servant more. III. WHY DOES GOD ANSWER AND FORGIVE WHILE HE CHASTENS HIS SAINTS? 1. From the relation He sustains to them. The covenant remains firm, while its dispensations vary. Though He hide His face, yet not his heart. 2. Because of the ransom which the surety has paid. Christ has more to say for us than our sins can say against us. 3. It is one of His titles. "Thou are a God of pardons," "a just God, yet a Saviour." 4. If He will not pardon, then we must all perish. The Canaanite is left in the land to prove, not to destroy us. Grace and mercy are for a time of need. (Homiletic Review.) Parallel Verses KJV: Thou answeredst them, O LORD our God: thou wast a God that forgavest them, though thou tookest vengeance of their inventions. |
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