225. JER 22:29. GOD’S SOLEMN ADDRESS TO MAN
Jer_22:29. God’s Solemn Address to Man
"O earth, earth, earth, hear ye the word of the Lord."’97Jer_22:29.
It is infinite condescension in God to behold the things which are done upon earth. Yet Jehovah does thus direct his attention to the children of men. He is concerned for the welfare of all his creatures, and especially waits to bestow his saving benefits on the human race. But this he can only do in a way consistent with his holy nature, and glorious perfections. He makes men happy by conforming them to his own image, and communicating to them his Holy Spirit; and this is effected through the instrumentality of his Messed word. Hence he says, "O earth, earth," &c.
Notice,
I. The Characters addressed.
And.
II. The Exercise enforced.
I. The Characters addressed.
"O earth, earth, earth."
Man is sometimes described as dust, and his frailty is likened to the grass, and the flower of the field.
When addressed as earth, we are,
1. Reminded of our native origin.
"Man is of the earth, earthy." God made man of red earth. The earth is therefore our mother: from it were we brought forth. Hence the folly of pride of pedigree and descent. God hath made of one blood all the families, &c.
2. We are reminded also of our true nature.
Not only from the earth, but of it. That powerful muscular frame is merely brittle earth; that beautiful countenance tinted earth; those sparkling eyes, gems of earth; those wonderful nerves, the source of pleasure and pain, fine cords of earth; that amazing brain, the seat of the mind, one wonderful, curious-wrought mass of earth.
3. We are thus reminded of the source of our supplies.
"Earth:" our houses are erected on it, and it yields us the staff of life; it presents unto us corn, wine, and oil, and the crystal streams spring forth out of it.
4. We are reminded, too, of the earthly state of our minds.
The immaterial spirit is clogged and united to the earth. Hence, in man’s natural state, his pleasures, honors, and desires are all earthly. The earth occupies, yea, absorbs the mind. "What shall I eat and drink," &c.
5. We are reminded of the tendency of human beings.
We came from, exist upon, and are travelling to the earth. Soon will it receive us into its earthly arms; the grave will be our house, and every human being must finally mingle with the dust.
Notice, II The Exercise enforced.
"O earth, earth, earth, hear the word of the Lord."
Observe,
1. The subject of attention.
"The word of the Lord." The revealed will of God’97the Holy Scriptures’97the preached Gospel.
The Gospel is obviously the word of God.
It bears the impress of divinity.
It is possessed of divine energy. Hence how it pierces, alarms, convinces, converts &c.
It produces divine changes, civilizes the savage, moralizes the profane, sanctifies the impure.
Observe,
2. This word is to be heard.
The place where it is published must be approached; then external attention must be given. It must be heard with carefulness, with self-application, and in faith.
3. This exercise may be enforced from many considerations.
Especially when you consider,
(1) The Being who addresses you. It is God who speaks. Jehovah of hosts. Whose word possesses almighty power: which caused Sinai to shake, and the hills to tremble, &c.; whose word is life or death’97raises to heaven, or sinks to hell.
(2) From the word itself. It is the word of knowledge, mercy, and salvation; not of judgment and death.
(3) From the universality of the address. It is addressed to every man; every man needs it. Suited to all’97sent to all.
(4) From our dying condition. Life is ebbing; time passing; Judge at the door; eternity at hand.
(5) From the responsibilities involved. Not to hear is contempt of God. What shall the end be of those who obey not the gospel of Christ? "How shall we escape," &c.
Application
Urge the text upon all classes.
1. Believers, hear the word of the Lord, and grow in knowledge and wisdom. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, &c.
2. Formalists, hear, &c. And be doers of the word, &c.
3. Backsliders, hear, &c. And return unto the Lord, &c. Hos_14:1-2
4. Mourning penitents, hear, &c. And believe the record, and call upon the name of the Lord, and ye shall be saved.
5. Hardened unbelievers, hear, &c. And prepare to meet your God.
Finally: all who are in the graves shall hear his voice, and come forth, &c. And every soul shall hear it passing his irrevocable sentence, and pronouncing his final doom.
Autor: JABEZ BURNS