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I. THE NATURE OF GOD'S DECLARATION RESPECTING HIMSELF, "I will set Mine eves upon them for good."

1. This denotes —

(1)  His omniscience over them (Job 34:21, compared with Job 31:4).

(2)  His providence for them (2 Chronicles 16:9).

(3)  His grace to save them (Romans 8:29).

2. It implies —

(1)  Divine personality — "For I" (Ezekiel 34:11).

(2)  Divine attention — "Will set Mine eyes" (Psalm 32:8).

(3)  Personal affection — "Upon them" (Ezekiel 16:5, 6).

(4)  Great kindness — "For their good" (Isaiah 54:8).

II. A DESCRIPTION OF THE DELIVERANCE HERE DECLARED, "I will bring them into this land"

1. Here we have the idea of distance (Ephesians 2:17).

2. How He brings them back.

(1)  By the death of His Son (Revelation 5:9).

(2)  By the obedience of His Son (Romans 5:19).

(3)  By virtue of His intercession (Hebrews 7:25).

3. This is —

(1)  A rich land.

(2)  A large land.

(3)  A peaceful land.

(4)  A land of security.

III. THE BLESSINGS DESIGNED FOB THEM ON THEIR RETURN.

1. Negatively — "Not pull them down."

(1)  Not condemn them (Romans 8:1).

(2)  Not visit their sins upon them (Hebrews 8:12).

2. Positively — "I will build them up."

(1)  The foundation of the building (1 Corinthians 3:11).

(2)  The dimensions (Romans 11:5).

(3)  The materials (Ephesians 2:1).

(4)  The cement by which this building is united (Colossians 2:2, 3).

(5)  The instruments employed in building (2 Corinthians 4:7).

3. These plants had been —

(1)  Fruitless.

(2)  Cumberers.

(3)  Injurious. Yet God did not pluck them up.

4. But He transplanted them to a superior soil: "I will plant them."

(1)  In a delightful situation (Psalm 48:2).

(2)  In a good and fertile soil (Psalm 1:3).

(3)  Where there is plenty of sun and rain (Psalm 84:11).

IV. THE RESULTS OF ALL THIS.

1. "And I will give them a heart to know Me."

(1)  As a gracious God.

(2)  A covenant-keeping God.

(3)  A faithful God.

(4)  A mighty God.

(5)  And a God of salvation to His people.

2. "And they shall be My people." As proved by their —

(1)  Studying the Bible.

(2)  Offering up prayers and praises.

(3)  Attendance on His house.

(4)  Living to God.

(5)  And simply believing on Christ.

3. "And I will be their God."

(1)  By ruling in their understandings.

(2)  Subduing their wills.

(3)  And living in their hearts.

4. "For they shall return unto Me with their whole heart."

(1)  Positively-Nothing shall prevent them, for "they shall" return.

(2)  Cordially — Their "heart" shall be delighted in returning.

(3)  Personality — Each and all shall return in the same person, "unto Me."

(4)  Dissatisfaction — They return from all things sinful to God.

(T. B. Baker.)

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KJV: For I will set mine eyes upon them for good, and I will bring them again to this land: and I will build them, and not pull them down; and I will plant them, and not pluck them up.

WEB: For I will set my eyes on them for good, and I will bring them again to this land: and I will build them, and not pull them down; and I will plant them, and not pluck them up.