Homilist Jeremiah 4:1-4 If you will return, O Israel, said the LORD, return to me: and if you will put away your abominations out of my sight… The people referred to as sowing among thorns are those, perhaps, who are endeavouring by religious study and effort to get the seeds of Divine good into them when their hearts remain full of worldly things. I. A GRAND EVIL. Sowing precious seed in bad soil involves three things. 1. Loss of seed. The precious grain has been thrown away. 2. Loss of labour. All the efforts employed go for nothing. 3. Loss of hope. All the bright anticipations of a glorious future frustrated. II. AN URGENT DUTY. "Break up your fallow ground." This means in one word evangelical repentance for sin. 1. This in moral, as well as material, agriculture is hard work. A skilful ploughman, a strong plough and a vigorous team are necessary. It is hard work to repent. 2. This in moral, as well as in material, agriculture is indispensable work. (Homilist.) Parallel Verses KJV: If thou wilt return, O Israel, saith the LORD, return unto me: and if thou wilt put away thine abominations out of my sight, then shalt thou not remove. |
    |