Joel 2:14 Who knows if he will return and repent, and leave a blessing behind him… I. THE OBJECTS OF THE PROPHET'S HOPE. 1. That the Lord would return. This can only be in a way of manifestation; all idea of place or motion being utterly incompatible with a being who fills heaven and earth. God is said to depart when, being provoked by the sins of any people, He withdraws His wonted assistance; and to return when, His anger being appeased, He again shews Himself favourable. There is sometimes a sad parting between God and His people; not owing to any want of faithfulness in Him, but to those things in them which awaken His resentment, as pride, self-confidence, carnality, and worldly-mindedness. 2. That He would "repent." Not change His nature or purposes, only His conduct. Though God cannot repent as men do, yet He may act as men do when they repent: He may cease to do what He had begun; He may revoke His threatenings, and recall His judgments. 3. He would "leave a blessing behind." (1) God never comes to His people empty-handed. (2) What God gives we should at least in part return. II. THE NATURE OF THIS HOPE. It rises no higher than a peradventure, lest they should sink into despondency, or lest they should give way to presumption and carnal security. Their hope must be mixed with fear, and their joy with trembling. A possibility — and much more, a probability — of obtaining mercy at the hand of God is a sufficient encouragement to a poor perishing sinner to seek, to trust in, and wait for Him. III. THE CASES IN WHICH THIS HOPE, FOUNDED UPON A PROBABILITY OF ACCEPTANCE, MAY AFFORD ENCOURAGEMENT TO SOULS IN DISTRESS. 1. With respect to prayer. 2. With respect to repentance. 3. With respect to patient waiting upon God in seasons of trial. 4. With respect to our exertions for the good of others.Application. 1. Improve this consideration so as to restrain and keep under a peevish, fretful, and impatient spirit. 2. Learn that God's help is only to be expected in the use of appointed means. While we trust in the Lord, we must keep His way. 3. Let none persist in an evil course, on the presumption that He may find mercy at last. (B. Beddome, M. A.) Parallel Verses KJV: Who knoweth if he will return and repent, and leave a blessing behind him; even a meat offering and a drink offering unto the LORD your God? |
    |