245. JDG 2:4-5. THE ISRAELITES AT BOCHIM
Jdg_2:4-5. The Israelites at Bochim
"And it came to pass, when the angel of the Lord spoke these words unto all the children of Israel, that the people lifted up their voices and wept. And they called the name of that place Bochim, and they sacrificed there unto the Lord."’97Jdg_2:4, Jdg_2:5.
By referring to Exo_23:32, we shall see the occasion of these words. God had expressly commanded that when the Israelites entered Canaan they were to make no covenant with the inhabitants, nor to allow them to dwell in the land, lest they should be a snare to them, and cause them to sin against God. In direct violation of God’s express authority they did allow many of them to enter into league with them, and thus incurred the displeasure of the Most High. Hence the angel of the Lord appeared to them at Bochim, and delivered the following address. See ver. 1-4.
Let us consider,
I. The Speaker.
II. The Address.
And,
III. The Effects produced.
Let us notice,
I. The Speaker.
"He is styled the Angel of the Lord." It is obvious that he was not a created intelligence. His phraseology is that of God. See ver. 1. He speaks of having brought them out of Egypt, of having sworn to the fathers, of his covenant, &c. Their rebellion he charges as against himself. Now it is clear, therefore, that it was the same illustrious personage who,
(1) Appeared to Hagar, and said, I will multiply thy seed, &c. Gen_16:10, &c.
(2) To Abraham, and called out of heaven, saying, "Lay not thine hand," &c. Gen_22:11.
(3) To Jacob, and wrestled with him till break of day, &c. Gen_32:25.
(4) To Joshua, at Gilgal, as captain of the Lord’s host. Jos_5:13. Now the text is connected with that, for it is said the angel of the Lord came up from Gilgal, that is, this was his next visible appearance among them.
(a) This was doubtless no other than the Son of God who thus appeared to the patriarchs before his incarnation, who is styled, the angel of the covenant, the angel of his presence, &c.; and who doubtless was referred to, Exo_23:20.
(b) It is certain that all the affairs of this world are, and ever have been, in his hands. He alone hath revealed Jehovah to us. And through him alone all our world’s transactions have been managed. Then the speaker was the divine Son of God, the Creator, Ruler, and universal Lord of earth. The same speaker addresses us, the Scriptures are the word of Christ, Gospel, Gospel of Christ, &c.
Let us notice,
II. The Address delivered.
The address referred,
1. To God’s past goodness.
He had brought them out of Egypt into the good land, ver. 1. Now this is equally applicable to us. Look back upon your Egyptian condition. See your present state. How has it been effected? The Lord hath saved you, &c. His grace has produced the blessed change, &c. We should never forget this. Sabbaths and services should reimpress us with it. He referred,
2. To the duties God had enjoined. Not to make a league with the wicked idolatrous nations, &c., but to throw down their altars, &c. Exo_23:32, and ver. 2
Now these duties were solemnly binding upon them.
(1) Their connection with the true God obligated them. Gratitude should have inspired them to do this.
(2) Their own safety required it. This was the reason God assigned, Exo_23:33. Lest they should prove a snare, &c. Now Jesus has given us similar injunctions. We are to come out from the world. To be separate’97to forsake all, and to follow him. We are not to be leagued with the enemies of God; we are not to be of the world, even as Christ was not of it. Joh_17:16. What did Lot obtain by it? What Solomon’97what Peter?
In this address,
3. There is an important inquiry instituted.
"Why have ye done this?" He appealed to them for the cause of their transgression. Most likely they had acted from a spirit of indifference’97unbelief, as to God’s threatenings’97covetousness, that they might obtain their tribute, &c. Have not our sinful defects arisen from similar causes?
Observe, in this address,
4. The punishment denounced.
"They shall be as thorns in your sides," &c. ver. 3. In plain words, he allows them to reap as they had sown. They would not expel them; well, they shall not be driven out. They had leagued with them; well, they shall have them near enough, even in their sides as goads. So Samson, so Adoni-bezek, so Ananias and Sapphira, so Herod. By allowing us to have our own desires, God can make us utterly wretched.
Observe,
III. The Effects produced.
1. They experienced the power of the truth on their minds.
They did not trifle, or reject the address. It came home to them; it struck like a hammer; burned like fire. Came with irresistible energy, &c.
2. It produced extreme sorrow They wept’97wept aloud. They all wept. God looks with complacency on the mourning soul, "A broken and a contrite heart," &c.
3. It produced supplication.
"They lifted up their voices," &c. Godly sorrow is invariably connected with prayer. And most likely also they confessed before God. "If we say that we have no sin," &c. "But if we confess," &c.
4. They publicly sacrificed unto the Lord.
Set about duty at once. Earnestly drew near to God in the way of his ordinances. How beautiful the gradation: they heard, felt, wept, prayed, and began to serve God. Now let this be our course. Satan would have us go further from God. Our hearts would despond. But God says, "Draw nigh me," &c. "Return, O ye backsliding children," &c.
Application
1. Let us cultivate devout affection for the commandments of the Lord. It is our true interest to serve and fear him.
2. Let us dwell in the vale of humiliation. We ought to have our Bochims, places of weeping, &c.
3. Let us daily return to the Lord, and seek his forgiving mercy and preserving grace.
Autor: JABEZ BURNS