Eta, in "Sketches of Four Hundred Sermons. " Micah 7:19 He will turn again, he will have compassion on us; he will subdue our iniquities… Though the Almighty is absolutely incomprehensible, and cannot be found out to perfection, yet He has explicitly revealed Himself as a God "merciful and gracious, slow to anger and ready to forgive." And this propitious character of the Deity is peculiarly appropriate and interesting to mankind. Infinite mercy has graciously provided a way of salvation, by faith in Jesus Christ, which is perfectly consistent with Divine justice, and admirably suited to the necessitous circumstances of the "world that lieth in wickedness." I. THE BLESSINGS PIOUSLY ANTICIPATED. "He will subdue our iniquities," etc. There may be an allusion to the deliverance of the Israelites from the Egyptian bondage. As the Lord then literally subdued Pharaoh and His host, so He will spiritually "subdue the iniquities" of His faithful servants, and by His pardoning mercy "cast all their sins into the depths of the sea" The prophet evidently anticipates — 1. The absolution of the guilt of sin. As "all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God" we must certainly either be pardoned or punished. When sinners return unto God with penitent and believing hearts, He graciously forgives their transgressions, and heals their backslidings. This inestimable blessing is called in the text, "casting all our sins into the depths of the sea," which is a mode of expression that intimates both the extent and completeness of pardon. 2. The subjugation of the power of sin. We are not only guilty, but depraved. Sin is frequently personified in. Scripture, and described as a vile usurper and destructive tyrant, reigning in the hearts and lives of the disobedient. Hence it is not only necessary that the guilt of sin be mercifully cancelled, but that its power be effectually subdued. Omnipotence alone is equal to this glorious' achievement. He principally accomplishes this work of grace by His Son, as the Saviour of sinners, by His Word as the instrument of salvation, and by His Spirit as the agent of personal religion. II. THE SOURCE DISTINCTLY SPECIFIED. "He will turn again; He will have compassion upon us." The prophet attributes the pardon and destruction of sin to the Lord Jehovah. These blessings are Divine in their origin. God only can forgive sin, and save the sinner. It is His sole prerogative to absolve our crimes and purify our souls. And this perfectly harmonises with the perfections of His nature. 2. These blessings are propitious in their medium. We have no natural right or claim to the Divine mercies, and can only receive them by way of sovereign favour, "through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus." For this purpose He assumed our nature, died for our sins, and ever lives to intercede for sinners. 3. These blessings are gracious in their bestowment. We cannot receive them on the ground of personal worthiness or human merit. Nor does the Lord require any previous goodness or moral fitness to render us worthy of the blessings of salvation. He freely and graciously pardons and saves the truly penitent, for the glory of His name, through the merits of the Redeemer. III. THE CONFIDENCE DEVOUTLY EXPRESSED. "He will turn," etc. This is not the language of enthusiastic presumption, but of inspired and rational assurance; it is founded on — 1. The character and covenant of God. 2. The atonement and intercession of Christ. 3. The doctrines and promises of the Gospel.We may infer from this subject — 1. The necessity of repentance and faith. 2. The possibility of pardon and holiness. 3. The felicity and duty of the saints. (Eta, in "Sketches of Four Hundred Sermons. ") Parallel Verses KJV: He will turn again, he will have compassion upon us; he will subdue our iniquities; and thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea. |
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