x. 1–4. Woe unto them that decree unrighteous decrees, &c.
I. An indictment against wicked magistrates. II. A challenge. III. A sentence.
I. Magistrates and rulers are answerable to God. II. Their decisions will be revised. III. Will in many instances be reversed. IV. The consequences of their injustice will return back upon themselves.[1]—J. Lyth, D.D.: Homiletic Treasury, Part I. p. 16.
FOOTNOTES:
[1] See Outlines: [Oppression of the Poor,] pp. 94, 95; and [The Pleader and the Judge,] pp. 95–97.
The Day of Visitation.
x. 3. And what will ye do in the day of visitation, &c.
These questions were addressed to men who were living lives of ungodliness, and who were rich and strong in the results of their iniquity. To such men I put the same questions. Do not resent them; answer them, at least to yourselves. All the warnings of the Bible are warnings of true and intelligent friendship, all its threatenings “are but the hoarse voice of God’s love, crying, Do thyself no harm!” (H. E. I., 604, 605). Let self-love, which has been your governing motive all through your life, move you to consider, before it is too late, what you will do in “the day of visitation.” It will not always be with you as it is to-day.
I. There will probably come to you a “day of visitation” in the shape of Affliction. You have known little of it, but, if life be prolonged, it will certainly come to you (Job v. 7; H. E. I., 47). In how many forms it may come upon you! Broken health—blasted reputation—poverty—bereavement: these things may come upon you singly, or in various combinations, or all together. Men quite as strong as you have been overtaken and overthrown by them (H. E. I., 3991, 4403–4406, 4975–4989). What will you do in the day of visitation and desolation? To whom will you flee for help? To man? You will then find what worldly friendship is worth (H. E. I., 2016–2112, 2131–2137). To God? But will He then hear you? He does not necessarily listen to men merely because they are in trouble (Judg. x. 14; Jer. vii. 16; Prov. i. 26–31). It is the penitent’s suppliant only that God will hear and answer, and your very pain and terror may incapacitate you for the exercise of genuine repentance; that consists, not in dread of the consequences of sin, but in disgust of sin itself. As your friend I counsel you (Job xxii. 21–28). It is a mean and miserable thing to have recourse to God only when in trouble (H. E. I., 3877–3879).
II. But if your lot is different from that of all other men, and no day of sorrow ever dawns upon you, there will come to you a “day of visitation” in the shape of Death. That is certain! What will you do then? To whom and to what will you flee for help? Friends, wealth—what will be their power or value then? And “to whom will you leave your glory?” For you will have to leave it (Ps. xlix. 16, 17; Eccles. v. 15; 1 Tim. vi. 7). And when you have left it, what will become of you? Prepare for what which is at once so inevitable and so momentous (H. E. I., 1562–1566).