HAGGAI
Charles Simeon's Devotional Commentaries
#1233CONSIDERATION OF OUR WAYS ENFORCED
Haggai 1:2-5; Haggai 1:12.
KJV. "Thus speaks the Lord Almighty, saying, This people say, The time is not come, the time that the Lord's house should be built. Then came the Word of the Lord by Haggai the prophet, saying, Is it time for you, O you, to dwell in your cieled houses, and this house lie waste? Now therefore thus says the Lord Almighty; Consider your ways.…
Then Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Joshua the son of Josedech, the high-priest, with all the remnant of the people, obeyed the voice of the Lord their God, and the words of Haggai the prophet, as the Lord their God had sent him, and the people did fear before the Lord.
NIV. "This is what the LORD Almighty says: "These people say, 'The time has not yet come for the LORD's house to be built.'" Then the word of the LORD came through the prophet Haggai: "Is it a time for you yourselves to be living in your paneled houses, while this house remains a ruin?" Now this is what the LORD Almighty says: "Give careful thought to your ways."
Then Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, Joshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and the whole remnant of the people obeyed the voice of the LORD their God and the message of the prophet Haggai, because the LORD their God had sent him. And the people feared the LORD. "
All the preceding prophets prophesied either before or during the Babylonian captivity; but Haggai, and the two who follow him prophesied after the return of the Jews from Babylon. We do not know what space of time Haggai continued to prophesy, but all his prophecies which have been recorded, were delivered in the short space of two months.
His principal office, in which he was soon joined by the Prophet Zechariah, seems to have been to stir up the Jews to rebuild their temple, and to assure them, that however inferior to the former temple it might be in their eyes, it should in reality far surpass that in glory.
In reference to their neglect, he reproves them with just severity; and shows them that God already has inflicted his judgments on them on account of it; but assures them at the same time, that, if they will recommence and prosecute the work with diligence, his blessing shall be visibly poured out upon them, Haggai 2:15-19.
In discoursing on this subject, we will notice,
I. The conduct reproved.
They had begun to build the temple about sixteen years before; but having been stopped by an edict from Artaxerxes, they had desisted, and had attended only to their own personal accommodations.
But the Persian monarch was now dead; and they ought therefore to have availed themselves of that circumstance, and to have proceeded with the work. A whole year had elapsed, and they had not even thought of resuming the pious labor; they were even well pleased with the obstacle that had been put in their way; and satisfied their consciences with saying, that "the Lord's time for rebuilding the temple was not yet come." They did not say that they would never execute that work; but they justified their present neglect of it by this vain excuse.
Now this is precisely what we ourselves are prone to do:
1. In reference to God's temple which is to be erected in the world.
The Church is his temple, "the habitation of God through the Spirit;" and on the whole face of the globe it is one day to be erected. But when we call on people to arise and work, they answer, "The Lord's time is not come." They see many difficulties to be surmounted; and, instead of regarding them as occasions only for calling forth their zeal, they consider them as indications that God does not require the work itself to be performed; thus making the dispensations of his providence a cloak for their own supineness.
In reference to the conversion of the Jews in particular, this excuse is offered by many; and offered with as much confidence, as if they were acquainted with all the counsels of God, and knew exactly all the times and the seasons which the Father has reserved in his own power.
But this excuse of theirs is nothing more nor less than a plea for inactivity, and an acknowledgment, that they are altogether indisposed for the exertions which they are called to make in this sacred cause.
2. In reference to the temple which is to be erected in our own hearts.
Believers are "temples of the Holy Spirit;" Christ dwells in their hearts by faith, "the Father too dwells in them, and they in him;" and such temples all of us are called to be.
But when people of every description are urged to consecrate themselves entirely to the service of their God, they reply, as with one consent, "The time has not come." They will not say, 'No! God never shall dwell in me;' but acknowledging it to be their duty to surrender up themselves to him, they think themselves excused from it by some providential impediment.
One is too young to engage in such holy services as yet.
Another is too much immersed in business to afford the time.
Another is for the present afraid of offending some earthly superior.
And thus, like the people invited to the wedding in the Gospel, they all, on some frivolous pretext or other, unite in saying, "Please have me excused."
But how vain such excuses are, may be seen by:
II. The reproof administered.
This consists of two parts:
an expostulatory appeal,
a solemn admonition."Is it time for you, O you, to dwell in your paneled houses, and this house lie waste? Now therefore, thus says the Lord Almighty, Consider your ways!"
We then in like manner make our appeal to you:
Have you time for yourselves, and not for God?
Have you time for your bodies, and not for your souls?Have you time for the affairs of this short transitory life, and not for those of eternity?
Is it thus that you have been taught of God? To "seek the kingdom of God and his righteousness last?" To "mind your own things only, and not the things of Jesus Christ? Philippians 2:21."
Was this a just return from those who had been delivered from their captivity in Babylon? And, if not from them, is it from you, who have been redeemed by the blood of God's only dear Son from a bondage infinitely more tremendous; a bondage to sin and Satan, death and Hell? Judge whether it befits you to be seeking your own carnal ease, interest, and pleasure; and to be neglecting the work of God, and the welfare of your immortal souls? Only let conscience deliver an unbiased testimony, and we consent that you shall be judges in your own cause.
To you also we offer this beneficial admonition.
"Consider your ways!" Twice is this repeated by the prophet verses 5 & 7; and repeatedly should it be urged on all who are guilty of the conduct before described.
"Consider your ways," in order to your humiliation.
Look back, and see, how highly sinful they have been. The more fully you call them to remembrance, and the more distinctly you view them with all their several aggravations, the more you will see cause to humble yourselves before God in dust and ashes.
"Consider your ways," in order that you may see what indignation they have already excited in the bosom of an avenging God.
The Jews were referred to the judgments which God in his providence had inflicted on account of their sin, as proofs of his heavy displeasure, verses 9-11; and, if we could with equal certainty be informed of the reasons of those chastisements which God from time to time has inflicted on us, either publicly in common with the whole land, or privately in our persons and families--there can be no doubt but that we should find our sins to have been the root and ground of all.
But without such infallible information from above, we should not presume to interpret the dispensations of Providence in this way, except in our own particular case; and even then we should do it with great caution and diffidence.
Nevertheless in many instances we may clearly read our sin in our punishment.
We have preferred the follies and pleasures of the world; and we have been given over to a worldly mind.
We have been impenitent; and have been delivered up to hardness of heart.
We have disregarded the gracious visits of our God; and he has withdrawn himself from us altogether; he has left us to "be filled with our own devices, and to eat of the fruit of our own ways."
Lastly, Consider your ways, in order to the amending of them in future.
To this the Jews were called, Haggai 2:4. To this we also are called; and without this, all consideration of our ways would be to no purpose. Determine then, with David, "not to give sleep to your eyes, or slumber to your eye-lids, until your hearts have become a temple for the Lord, a habitation for the mighty God of Jacob, Psalm 132:4-5."
Happy is the prophet who executed his office with such fidelity! Happy are the people who were favored with such a faithful monitor!
May our testimony also correspond with his in:
III. The effect produced.
Great and instantaneous was the change wrought on their minds.
"The remnant of the people," from the highest to the lowest, all obeyed the voice of the Lord, and of the prophet whom he had sent unto them. They all began to "fear the Lord," and in little more than three weeks actually commenced the work to which they were called, verse 14.
O that such a change also might be wrought in us! O that our governors also, both in Church and State, might obey the call; and that all classes of the community would begin, as with one heart and one mind, to serve the Lord.
First, to get their whole souls sanctified unto the Lord.
And then, to promote his glory through-out the world!
Great also was the encouragement instantly granted to them by God himself.
No sooner did they evince a desire to comply with God's command, than God commissioned his prophet to say to them, "I am with you, says the Lord! verse 13." And no sooner did they set about the work, than God called them to notice the very day, and pledged himself from that hour to bless them! Haggai 2:15-19. Yes, even the very day of their change, did God himself register, not only in the book of his remembrance in Heaven, but in the written records of his prophet on earth, "In the twenty-fourth day of the sixth month, in the second year of Darius the king, verse 15."
O that this present year might be so marked! Yes, that this very day might be so registered, as the season of a remarkable conversion of our souls to God! Be assured, that, if only one among us should now begin to obey his call, and to turn from earthly vanities to the Lord our God, it should not be overlooked, nor should it be forgotten in the eternal world. The very angels in the presence of God would shout for joy; and if they would notice it with such delight, we may be well assured that our God and Savior, at whose call we turn, will not he regardless of so blessed an event.
Conclusion.
The time will come when you will deeply regret that you have wasted the present hours in frivolous pursuits. Your past ease, and pleasure, and vanities, of whatever kind they have been--where are they? What fruit of them all have you at this time? Compare them with one single hour that has ever been spent in penitential sorrow. Is there any comparison as to the satisfaction they have left behind them?
Again, For what end is your time now allotted to you by God? Is it for no higher purpose than to advance your temporal interests? Is there no work that you have to do for him, and none for your own souls?
Again, Will it not be a bitter subject of regret to you in a dying hour, that the day in which you might have worked is passed away; and that the night is arrived when no man can work?
To all then, I say, in the name of the Most High God, "Consider your ways!"
Consider the evil of them, that you may see your guilt!
Consider the fruit of them, that you may bewail your folly!
Consider the commands of God relating to them, that you may amend them henceforth, and obtain from God the blessings reserved for you in the eternal world.
#1234
CHRIST THE DESIRE OF ALL NATIONS
Haggai 2:7.
"The Desire of all nations shall come; and I will fill this house with glory, says the Lord Almighty!"
Mankind are apt to imagine that God is pleased with what is grand and magnificent in their eyes; hence the many splendid edifices that have been raised to his honor; but a contrite heart is a more acceptable residence for God than even the temple of Solomon itself! "For this is what the high and lofty One says—he who lives forever, whose name is holy: I live in a high and holy place, but also with him who is contrite and lowly in spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite! Isaiah 57:15."
The Jews, on their return from Babylon, began to rebuild their temple; but those who remembered the former temple, wept aloud, Ezra 3:11-13. To encourage them to complete the structure, the prophet was sent to declare, that, however inferior this should be to the former in point of magnificence, it should exceed that in glory; for that the Messiah himself should adorn it with his own personal appearance.
Let us inquire,
I. Who is the person here spoken of.
The prophet refers to Christ's coming, and appearance in the flesh. Christ is here properly called "the Desire of all nations!" All nations indeed do not actually desire him, because they know him not; but they may be said to desire him, just as the whole creation is said to be waiting for the manifestation of the sons of God, etc. Romans 8:19-21. Or, as Mount Zion is said to be the joy of the whole earth, Psalm 48:2."
Many in all nations do desire Jesus.
The Jews, by means of their captivities, or flight, were scattered through the Assyrian, Chaldean, Persian, and other empires, and since the establishment of Christianity, there are Christians in every part of the globe. Among these, there is indeed found a considerable difference with respect to clearness of knowledge and fervor of affection; but the desire of them all accords with that of the Apostle, Philippians 3:8-10.
All nations, if they knew Jesus, would desire him.
He has in himself all imaginable excellencies, as God, as man, as mediator.
Would we desire a mighty Savior?
He is God over all, Romans 9:5.
Would we desire one in our own nature?
He was made flesh, John 1:14.
Would we desire one that had testified his love?
He has died for us, Ephesians 5:2.
Would we desire one that from his own experience might sympathize with us?
He has been tempted like us for this purpose, Hebrews 4:15; Hebrews 2:18.
If any hear of him, and desire him not, the reason is plain: "The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God! 2 Corinthians 4:4."
Jesus did in due season honor the temple with his presence.
The season of his appearance there was foretold. He was to come while the temple was standing, Malachi 3:1 and the text. About forty years after his death it was utterly demolished. At the appointed time he was brought there by his parents, Luke 2:27; at twelve years old he sat there among the doctors, Luke 2:46, and afterwards it became the frequent place of his resort.
The prospect of this event was peculiarly consoling on account of,
II. The consequences of Jesus' coming.
The presence of Christ in the temple "filled it with glory." It rendered the latter temple far more glorious than the former, Haggai 2:9."
Jesus more than supplied all those things which were lacking in this temple.
Though many of the sacred vessels were restored to the Jews by Cyrus, there was much that was irrecoverably lost.
The Shechinah, the bright cloud, the symbol of God, was withdrawn.
The ark, with all that it contained, was missing. Namely, a copy of the law, the pot of manna, and Aaron's rod that budded.
The Urim and Thummin, or breastplate, whereby the high-priest discovered the Divine will, was also gone.
The fire that came down from Heaven, was extinguished.
These defects however were more than supplied to the latter temple by the presence of Jesus. Instead of a shadowy resemblance of God--it had God incarnate. It had the true ark, containing infinitely richer memorials of Divine love. The Jews no longer need the law to instruct them, the rod to confirm their faith, and the manna to show them how their fathers were sustained; since Jesus himself possessed all that was necessary for their instruction, confirmation, and nourishment. It had a divine Instructor, who revealed all his Father's counsels. Nor could it need the fire to render the sacrifices more acceptable, since Jesus was about to offer one sacrifice for all. Thus did it excel in glory, even in those very particulars wherein it appeared most defective.
Jesus also exhibited in it a brighter display of God than ever had been seen in the former temple.
The glory of God did indeed fill the temple of Solomon, 1 Kings 8:10-11, but in Christ it shone with brighter, though less dazzling splendor.
Behold the condescension of God, in that he not merely dwelt with man, but became man!
Behold the wisdom of God, in every discourse that Jesus uttered, John 7:46.
Behold the power of God, in in his miraculous cures, and irresistible operation on the minds of men, Matthew 21:12.
Behold the grace of God, in his treatment of the adulterous woman, John 8:11.
Such an exhibition of the Divine perfections in the temple far overbalanced every defect.
APPLICATION.
Wherever Jesus dwells, he imparts a glory.
And has he not yet a temple to which he will come? Matthew 18:20; Matthew 28:20. Will he not grant his presence in his ordinances? And will not his presence in them make them glorious, Isaiah 60:7; Isaiah 60:13.
Will he not also make the souls of his people his habitation? 2 Corinthians 6:16. And will not the soul, in which he takes up his residence, be transformed, Isaiah 55:13. Let him then be "the desire of our hearts; nor let us ever be satisfied until we possess that privilege, Ephesians 2:21-22.
#1235
INTEGRITY OF THE SOUL ENJOINED
Haggai 2:11-14.
KJV. "Thus says the Lord Almighty; Ask now the priests concerning the law, saying, If one bear holy flesh in the skirt of his garment, and with his skirt do touch bread, or stew, or wine, or oil, or any meat, shall it be holy? And the priests answered and said, No. Then said Haggai, If one that is impure by a dead body touch any of these, shall it be impure? And the priests answered and said, It shall be impure. Then answered Haggai, and said, So is this people, and so is this nation before me, says the Lord; and so is every work of their hands; and that which they offer there is impure.
NIV. "This is what the LORD Almighty says: 'Ask the priests what the law says: If a person carries consecrated meat in the fold of his garment, and that fold touches some bread or stew, some wine, oil or other food--does it become consecrated?'" The priests answered, "No." Then Haggai said, "If a person defiled by contact with a dead body touches one of these things--does it become defiled?" "Yes," the priests replied, "it becomes defiled." Then Haggai said, "'So it is with this people and this nation in my sight,' declares the LORD. 'Whatever they do and whatever they offer there is defiled!"
The one great rule of life which was given to Moses, and which is of universal and unchangeable obligation, is the moral law. the law of the ten commandments. But the ceremonial law also, which, in its primary use, was to shadow forth the Gospel of Christ, was of a moral tendency, and very instructive in that view.
Take the most insignificant of its rites, such as the not wearing a garment of mixed materials, or sowing a field with different kinds of grain, or cooking a goat in its mother's milk; they were all intended to teach us some practical lessons of great importance.
The same we may say of the law mentioned in my text. Jehovah intended to reprove the supineness of his people in neglecting to rebuild the temple. For this end, he directed the Prophet Haggai to consult the priests as to the demands of the law; and from their answers, to deduce the truth which he was instructed to enforce. They acknowledged, that the meat which belonged to the priests, as their share of the sin-offerings, could not, though holy in itself, make anything else holy which it might come in contact with; though a person, who by the touch of a dead body was impure, would, according to the law, render anything else impure which he might chance to touch.
Whatever touched the altar was thereby rendered holy, as was also anything which touched the flesh of the sacrifice (Leviticus 29:37 and Leviticus 6:27.); but the cloth in which such flesh was contained, conveyed no sanctity; the clothes of one who was impure, communicated a ceremonial impurity, Numbers 19:22.
From thence he took occasion to show them, that the sacrifices which they offered, so far from cancelling their sins--were themselves vitiated, and rendered worthless by their supineness.
Now here was a valuable lesson for them; and it is no less valuable to us.
I. This is a valuable lesson for the forming of our judgment as to the theory of religion.
To enter into this, consider the precise state of things at that time. The foundations of the temple had been laid several years before. The people having been obstructed in the work, became indifferent to it; and thought that, by offering their sacrifices with regularity, they would supersede the necessity of incurring the expense and trouble of rebuilding the temple. 'Now,' says the prophet, 'your sacrifices themselves, instead of being accepted of God, are detestable in his sight, on account of the hypocrisy which yet reigns in your hearts.' In other words, we may consider him as determining two most important points:
1. In spiritual matters, practice is of no avail without principle.
The Jews supposed that their offering of sacrifices would be accepted, though they were wholly inattentive to the principles by which they were actuated. A most common error this is. Men abound in duties, public, social, personal; and add to these the offices of kindness and liberality to their fellow-creatures; and then ask with confidence, "What lack I yet?"
Such were the Pharisees of old; who even went beyond the law in their ritual observances, while they "neglected many of the weightier matters of the law. justice, mercy, and truth." But I must declare, that these people labor under a most fatal error; for if Paul himself, who was, "concerning the righteousness which was of the law, blameless," and who was therefore "alive, in his own estimation, without the law," but, when he saw the defectiveness of his obedience, saw and acknowledged himself to be a dead condemned sinner. If Paul himself, I say, so failed in establishing any righteousness of his own, much more must we lay aside such an erroneous conceit, and confess that without a principle of faith and love we can never find acceptance with our God. We may attend the house of God every Sabbath; we may go to the table of the Lord; we may offer some stated prayers also in secret--and yet, if impenitent and unbelieving, we will surely be consigned over to everlasting perdition. We may have the tongues of men and angels, and have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and have faith so that we can remove mountains, and bestow all our goods to feed the poor, and even give our bodies to be burned--and yet be destitute of a principle, without which we are no better than "sounding brass and a tinkling cymbal! 1 Corinthians 13:1-3."
We may see clearly, that without a principle of real, vital, universal holiness in the soul--no external services, however good, can find acceptance before God.
2. In spiritual matters, principle is of no avail without practice.
As men of a Pharisaic cast maintain the error which I have just mentioned; so men of an Antinomian complexion are prone to indulge this of which I am now to speak. They have embraced the Gospel; they believe in Christ; they see in him a perfect righteousness; they have that righteousness imputed to them; they stand, as they suppose, perfect and complete before God, and are in his sight "without spot or wrinkle or any such thing; yes, holy and without blemish, Ephesians 5:27."
But are they necessarily in the state which this profession seems to imply? The people reproved in my text offered their sacrifices, and professed to look to that great Sacrifice which those offerings prefigured; but were they therefore accepted by their God? No! They were essentially defective as to practical religion. Under the influence of covetousness and self-indulgence, they neglected to rebuild the temple of the Lord; and therefore all their professions of faith were vain.
Thus it is with thousands today, who rely on the Gospel of Christ for salvation, but neglect to adorn it by a suitable conduct. Their faith does not "overcome the world," and "work by love," and "purify the heart." Therefore "their faith, being without works, is dead; and is in reality no better than the faith of devils! James 2:19-20."
Nor let anyone imagine that it is only a course of open sin that will thus invalidate the efficacy of his faith. No! If there is in him any secret lust, such as covetousness, or pride, or envy, or impurity, or any other, it will "so defile him, Mark 7:21-23," as to make all his professions of religion vain! James 1:26." "A right eye or a right hand, which offends" against the principles of vital godliness, must be parted with, or "it will destroy him, both body and soul, in Hell forever! Mark 9:43-48 with James 2:10."
II. This is a valuable lesson for the regulating of our conduct, as to the practice of it.
You will observe in the text the figure, and the truth contained in it. Now both of these are instructive, in reference to spiritual matters:
1. From the figure, we may learn to take heed of our contact with the world.
One diseased man may spread his infection to many others; but ten healthy men cannot impart their health to another. In the same way, it is quite easy to contract defilement from the ungodly.
It is common for people professing godliness, to associate with the world, under an idea of doing good unto them. They forget how much more likely they themselves are to contract evil from them, than to impart to them any substantial benefit.
The apostle Paul tells us that, "Bad company corrupts good character!" 1 Corinthians 15:33. Experience proves the truth of Paul's warning; for there is scarcely a person who needlessly associates much with the world, but he imbibes something of their sentiments; and in heart, declines from God.
I do not mean to say, that all connection with ungodly men should be avoided; for "then we would have to go out of the world." Our duties in civil and social life require some measure of interaction with them.
Yet we should ever be aware of the danger of contagion from the ungodly. We should mix with them as a Physician mixes with his diseased patients; having in our minds a desire to do good to them, and exerting our influence for that end; and withdrawing, when we have fulfilled our duty, happy to breathe a purer atmosphere, and to associate with those who are spiritually healthy.
This is the teaching prescribed for us in the Gospel:
"We are not to be conformed to this sinful world!" Romans 12:2
We are to "come out from this sinful world, and be separate!" 2 Corinthians 6:17
We are "not to be of this sinful world, any more than Jesus Christ was of it!" John 17:14-16
We are "not to desire this sinful world's friendship!" James 4:4
Nor are we to "love any of the world's ensnaring vanities!" 1 John 2:15-16
Our affections must rather be "set on things above!" Colossians 3:2
We must realize that "our citizenship is in in Heaven!" Philippians 3:20
We must be ever on our guard to keep our garments clean! Revelation 3:4
We must recognize that it is almost impossible to come in contact with the ungodly, without contracting some defilement from them!
2. From the truth itself, we may learn to look well to our hearts.
Solomon's advice is good, "Keep your heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life! Proverbs 4:23." It is lamentable to think how much there may be amiss within us, while the external conduct is correct; yes, and while religion appears to have the chief ascendant over us. Truly, it befits us to "search and try our ways, Lamentations 3:40;" yes, and to beg of God also to "search and try our hearts, to see whether there be any wicked way or principle in us, and to lead us in the way everlasting, Psalm 139:23-24."
When we reflect, that one evil propensity, if indulged, will vitiate all our moral and religious acts; and that it will make "our very prayers an abomination in the sight of God! Proverbs 15:8; Proverbs 28:9;" we cannot but tremble for the great mass even of religious professors, who will be tried by the heart-searching God, and have their final doom fixed according to their real character, as it stands before him.
Indeed, brethren, I wish you to examine yourselves well, whether you are sound in principle, and upright in practice also. And be careful not to "deceive your own souls;" nor to rest, until you have an evidence in your own bosoms, and the witness of God's Spirit also, that you are "Israelites indeed, in whom there is no deceit;" for whatever you may imagine, it is "the pure in heart, and they only, that shall see God" with comfort in the day of judgment! Matthew 5:8.
#1236
GOD RECOMPENSES OUR WORKS
Haggai 2:19.
"From this day will I bless you!"
Men, when they see so great a disparity in the states of their fellow-men, are apt to imagine that there is an inequality in the ways of God. But God always deals with men exactly by how they respond to His Word. "God's ways are equal," both in the dealings of his providence, and in the dispensations of his grace, Ezekiel 18:25-29 with Psalm 18:25. True, indeed, this equality, under the Mosaic economy, was evinced in temporal gifts, whereas it is now manifested rather in spiritual blessings; and we may all observe it in reference to ourselves, almost as clearly as they could who are addressed in my text.
I. Let us review the dealings of God with us in past times.
God called his people, after their return from Babylon, to "consider" how he had dealt with them.
While they were occupied only in their own concerns, and neglected to execute his will in the rebuilding of the temple--he visited them with sore and successive judgments.
But now that they were engaged in that sacred work, he bade them to take notice, even from the very day that they had commenced the work, that he would bless them.
1. Consider how God has dealt with us before we began to seek the Lord.
We might prosper perhaps in temporal things, as the world accounts prosperity; but what was the real state of our minds? Did we find all the satisfaction in them which we hoped for? We sowed largely in hope; but when we reaped, and came to measure the produce, were we not grievously disappointed? Say, brethren, was there even one half the happiness derived from them that you expected? See verse 16, 17. Did you not find, that while you neglected to seek your happiness in God, the blessings which you sought with the greatest avidity and labor were but as "broken cisterns, that could hold no water? Jeremiah 2:13." Yes, you must confess that everything to which you looked for comfort has proved, not only "vanity, but vexation of spirit also! Ecclesiastes 1:14." There was a worm at the root of every gourd from which you expected consolation and repose, Jonah 4:6-7.
2. Consider how God has dealt with us since we turned to him.
Possibly enough, in respect to temporal things, you may have suffered loss. But has not that loss been abundantly made up to you, by an increase of grace, and by the manifestations of God's love to your soul? Have you not learned, that "man's life consists not in the abundance of the things that he possesses, Luke 12:15;" and that he alone is truly happy who seeks his happiness in God?
Possibly, too, you may have been bowed down greatly under the weight and burden of your sins; yet will I ask with confidence, whether you do not look upon that day, when you were first convinced of sin, and stirred up to flee from the wrath to come, as the best and happiest day of your life?
From what time, Do you think, would Paul date his happiness, but from the hour when he was struck to the ground in his way to Damascus, and when he received the first communications of converting grace? And if you could tell the time of your first awakening, with the same accuracy as the laying of the first stone of the temple was marked ("the 24th day of the 9th month"), you would be able to say with certainty, "From that day God has blessed me!"
Supposing, then, that we have been truly converted to God:
II. Let us consider the anticipations which we are authorized to indulge.
Here the promise in our text indisputably belongs to us, "From this day will I bless you!" Again I say, that we are no longer to estimate the Divine favor by the measure of our success in temporal things. True indeed, "If we seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, all earthly things, so far as they will conduce to our spiritual welfare, shall be added unto us, Matthew 6:33." But that which we are authorized to expect, is, that "God will bless us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly things in Christ Jesus! Ephesians 1:3."
1. God will give you the communications of his grace.
These shall be suited to your necessities, James 4:6, and sufficient for your needs, 2 Corinthians 12:9.
2. God will give you the manifestations of his love.
No words can express what is implied in these. "He will manifest himself to you as he does not unto the world, John 14:21-23," and "shed abroad his love in your hearts, Romans 5:5," and "give you the witness of his Spirit, as the pledge of your everlasting inheritance, Ephesians 1:13-14."
3. God will give you a fitness for glory.
His whole work of grace will he carry on within you, Philippians 1:6, until you are transformed into his image, 2 Corinthians 3:18, and fully prepared for his glory! Philippians 1:9-11 and Colossians 1:9-12.
ADDRESS.
1. To those in whom the foundation of God's spiritual temple is not yet laid.
You, alas! have no part or lot in any of these promises; and a far different portion have you to expect. If you will be intent only on your own business, and be concerned only to please yourselves--then how can you expect that God should bless you? "Consider, I beg you," whether they who serve not God can reasonably hope for the same portion as his faithful servants shall enjoy! Malachi 3:18. I will be content that you shall judge this matter for yourselves.
O! be persuaded, before it is too late, to follow the convictions of your minds, and to turn unto God with your whole hearts!
2. To those who are building up a spiritual temple for their God.
To you assuredly is the promise made, that God will bless you, both in time and eternity. Be more and more diligent, then, in the work in which you are engaged. "Be coming daily to Christ, as living stones, to be built up on him as the living foundation-stone, 1 Peter 2:4-5;" and God will make you the habitation of his holiness forever and ever! Ephesians 2:19-22.
3. To those who think this distinction is simply wild enthusiasm.
If such there be among you, put it to the proof. God himself challenges you to this, Malachi 3:10. Make but the experiment fairly, and I have no fear of the outcome.