Homilist Psalm 106:24-31 Yes, they despised the pleasant land, they believed not his word:… I. THE AWFUL PERSISTENCY OF SIN (vers. 24, 25, 28). You may reason with the sinner, convince him both of the folly and wrongness of his conduct. Trial after trial may come down upon him in consequence of his wicked conduct. You may threaten him with the terrors of death and the terrible retribution of the life beyond, still he continues blindly, and madly he pursues his course (Jeremiah 13:23). II. THE FEARFUL RETRIBUTION OF GOD (ver. 29). 1. It was justly deserved. How great the provocation! The conscience of every sufferer will attest the justice of his fate. 2. It was a warning to others. The punishment that befalls one sinner says to every sinner, "Take care." God punishes, not for the sake of inflicting pain, but for the sake of doing good. It is to arrest the progress of sin, which is a curse to the universe. III. THE SOCIAL INFLUENCE OF SAINTS (ver. 30). Phinehas interposed as a magistrate to suppress sin and check its progress. This act of his was approved of God as a righteous act. It was rewarded by God by a perpetual priesthood (Numbers 25:10). It is said that "one sinner destroyeth much good," but one saint may destroy more evil. Not until the last day, if then, shall we know the enormous amount of good that one good man may render to his age and even to his race. (Homilist.) Parallel Verses KJV: Yea, they despised the pleasant land, they believed not his word:WEB: Yes, they despised the pleasant land. They didn't believe his word, |
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