God's Method of Mercy Used or Abused by Man
John Hambleton, M. A. Ezekiel 20:43-44 And there shall you remember your ways, and all your doings, wherein you have been defiled… I. THE METHOD OF MERCY was very remarkable in the case of Israel. The loving kindness of God is infinite. Christ commanded "that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem." Surely this single circumstance, viewed in connection with God's ancient dealings with Israel, as brought before us in this chapter, is a proof that Christianity is the religion of the same God, and that "His mercy endureth forever." And have not His dealings with the Christian Church been so similar as to show that He is still pursuing a method of mercy and of grace? He has not cut us off in our sins; He still follows us with invitations, He quite presses us with entreaties, to "be reconciled to God." Is not Christ able and willing "to save to the uttermost," any or all of us, "who come unto God by Him"? Have not some of us found already — and may not the rest find soon — that "with the Lord there is mercy, and with Him there is plenteous redemption"? II. But suppose it so found; then what will be THE GRACIOUS EFFECT ON US? Is it carelessness, or indifference, or licentiousness of living? Not so; surely "the goodness of God leadeth to repentance." Then, when thus restored to the Divine favour — then, when this method of mercy shall have been successful — then "shall ye remember your ways," etc. Here is work for the mind and memory. Do ye not remember some of "your ways" in former years — "ways" which certainly were wrong, perverse, and corrupt? Have ye forgotten all those "doings," which certainly were not right? Do ye not remember the circumstances of your sins — how many things concurred to aggravate them in your cases? Therefore exercise your mind and memory, with prayer for the Holy Spirit, in recalling "our was" and "doings." But if truly penitent, ye will also exercise the heart and soul on this subject; "and ye shall loathe yourselves," etc. And if you "loathe yourselves" for having sinned, you will not return to sin. Men do not return willingly to look on a loathsome object. What they abhor they shun. (John Hambleton, M. A.) Parallel Verses KJV: And there shall ye remember your ways, and all your doings, wherein ye have been defiled; and ye shall lothe yourselves in your own sight for all your evils that ye have committed. WEB: There you shall remember your ways, and all your doings, in which you have polluted yourselves; and you shall loathe yourselves in your own sight for all your evils that you have committed.