The Silence of God
C. Clayton, M. A. Psalm 50:21 These things have you done, and I kept silence; you thought that I was altogether such an one as yourself: but I will reprove you… I. DIVINE SILENCE MAINTAINED. He does indeed speak to you by the eloquence of creation; by the kind lips of providence; by His own inspired Word, warning, inviting, entreating and persuading you to seek Christ. But he does not speak to you in the same startling way now as He will speak to you in the world to come. His present silence is a proof of His long-suffering. He is not willing that any of us should perish, tie is anxious that we should all come to repentance. How wrong, therefore, is it for any to abuse this silence! II. DIVINE SILENCE BROKEN. The forbearance of God only encouraged the Jews in their rebellious conduct. At length the Lord made the Roman armies the instruments of His correction. He then indeed "reproved" them, and "showed them the things they had done," in rejecting and crucifying the Lord of glory. And what God then did towards the impenitent Jews He will hereafter do to all who lived and died in sin. III. APPLICATION. 1. The duty of mutual forbearance. 2. The blessedness of cheerful resignation. (C. Clayton, M. A.) Parallel Verses KJV: These things hast thou done, and I kept silence; thou thoughtest that I was altogether such an one as thyself: but I will reprove thee, and set them in order before thine eyes. WEB: You have done these things, and I kept silent. You thought that I was just like you. I will rebuke you, and accuse you in front of your eyes.