Having received this instructtion, he was filled with excessive grief; which is signified here by smiting on his thigh. See above. 7. He finds that from his youth up he had been sinning against God; and although his youthful sins had long passed from his memory, yet the light of God brought them back, and he was ashamed and confounded at the sight of them. 8. In this state of confusion and distress God sees him; and, commiserating his state, thus speaks:- 1. Is Ephraim my dear son? Bad as he is in his own sight, and in the sight of my justice, he is now a penitent, and to me is precious. 2. However loathsome and disfigured he may be with sin and sorrow, he is to me a pleasant child-a child of delights; one in whose conversion I delight, and my angels rejoice. 3. I did speak against him: wb yrbd ydm yk ki middey dabberi bo, for "from the abundance of my speaking in him;" accusing, threatening, promising, exhortlng, encouraging; "I do still earnestly remember him." God has taken much pains with him, and is unwilling to give him up; but now that he repents, he has not received the grace of God utterly in vain. 4. God feels a yearning desire towards him; wl y[m wmh hamu meai lo, "my bowels are agitated for him." I feel nothing towards him but pity and love. When a sinner turns to God, God ceases to be angry with him. 5. God expresses his determination to save him; wnmjra µjr rachem arachamennu, "I will be affectionately merciful to him, with tender mercy, saith the Lord." He shall find that I treat him as a father does a returning prodigal son. So every penitent is sure to find mercy at the hand of God.

Jer. 31:1-9 God assures his people that he will again take them int covenant relation to himself. When brought very low, and difficultie appear, it is good to remember that it has been so with the churc formerly. But it is hard under present frowns to take comfort from former smiles; yet it is the happiness of those who, through grace, ar interested in the love of God, that it is an everlasting love, from everlasting in the counsels, to everlasting in the continuance. Thos whom God loves with this love, he will draw to himself, by the influences of his Spirit upon their souls. When praising God for what he has done, we must call upon him for the favours his church needs an expects. When the Lord calls, we must not plead that we cannot come for he that calls us, will help us, will strengthen us. The goodness of God shall lead them to repentance. And they shall weep for sin with more bitterness, and more tenderness, when delivered out of their captivity, than when groaning under it. If we take God for our Father and join the church of the first-born, we shall want nothing that is good for us. These predictions doubtless refer also to a futur gathering of the Israelites from all quarters of the globe. And the figuratively describe the conversion of sinners to Christ, and the plain and safe way in which they are led.

Jer. 31:10-17 He that scattered Israel, knows where to find them. It is comfortable to observe the goodness of the Lord in the gifts of providence. But our souls are never valuable as gardens, unless watere with the dews of God's Spirit and grace. A precious promise follows which will not have full accomplishment except in the heavenly Zion Let them be satisfied of God's loving-kindness, and they will be satisfied with it, and desire no more to make them happy. Rachel i represented as rising from her grave, and refusing to be comforted supposing her offspring rooted out. The murder of the children a Bethlehem, by Herod, Matt. 2:16-18, in some degree fulfilled thi prediction, but could not be its full meaning. If we have hope in the end, concerning an eternal inheritance, for ourselves and thos belonging to us, all temporal afflictions may be borne, and will be for our good.

Jer. 31:18-20 Ephraim (the ten tribes) is weeping for sin. He is angr at himself for his sin, and folly, and frowardness. He finds he cannot by his own power, keep himself close with God, much less bring himsel back when he is revolted. Therefore he prays, Turn thou me, and I shal be turned. His will was bowed to the will of God. When the teaching of God's Spirit went with the corrections of his providence, then the wor was done. This is our comfort in affliction, that the Lord thinks upo us. God has mercy in store, rich mercy, sure mercy, suitable mercy, for all who seek him in sincerity.

Jer. 31:21-26 The way from the bondage of sin to the liberty of God' children, is a high-way. It is plain, it is safe; yet none are likel to walk in it, unless they set their hearts towards it. They ar encouraged by the promise of a new, unheard-of, extraordinary thing; creation, a work of Almighty power; the human nature of Christ, forme and prepared by the power of the Holy Ghost: and this is here mentione as an encouragement to the Jews to return to their own land. And comfortable prospect is given them of a happy settlement there Godliness and honesty God has joined: let no man think to put the asunder, or to make the one atone for the want of the other. In the love and favour of God the weary soul shall find rest, and the sorrowful shall find joy. And what can we see with more satisfactio than the good of Jerusalem, and peace upon Israel?

Jer. 31:27-34 The people of God shall become numerous and prosperous In Heb. 8:8,9, this place is quoted as the sum of the covenant of grac made with believers in Jesus Christ. Not, I will give them a new law for Christ came not to destroy the law, but to fulfil it; but the la shall be written in their hearts by the finger of the Spirit, a formerly written in the tables of stone. The Lord will, by his grace make his people willing people in the day of his power. All shall know the Lord; all shall be welcome to the knowledge of God, and shall have the means of that knowledge. There shall be an outpouring of the Holy Spirit, at the time the gospel is published. No man shall finall perish, but for his own sins; none, who is willing to accept of Christ's salvation.

Jer. 31:35-40 As surely as the heavenly bodies will continue their settled course, according to the will of their Creator, to the end of time, and as the raging sea obeys him, so surely will the Jews be continued a separate people. Words can scarcely set forth more strongl the restoration of Israel. The rebuilding of Jerusalem, and it enlargement and establishment, shall be an earnest of the great thing God will do for the gospel church. The personal happiness of every tru believer, as well as the future restoration of Israel, is secured by promise, covenant, and oath. This Divine love passes knowledge; and to those who take hold upon it, every present mercy is an earnest of salvation __________________________________________________________________

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