II. God often overrules the trials of life to produce a spirit of prayer, and to bring men to Himself. “They shall cry unto the Lord because of their oppressors.”[1]
III. It is God’s prerogative to raise up a Saviour (ver. 20). Whatever comforts or deliverances you have had through the medium of creatures, the hand of God is to be pre-eminently acknowledged in them all. Spiritually we need a great Saviour, and God has provided one equal to the emergency of the case. Our guilt is very great, our danger very threatening, our enemies very powerful, our ruin very awful, but help is laid on One that is mighty. The greatness of Christ as a Saviour appears from the essential dignity of His nature (Heb. i. 1), from the certain efficacy of His atonement (Heb. vii. 25), from the countless number of the redeemed (Rev. vii. 9), from the completeness of the salvation He imparts (1 Cor. i. 30).—Samuel Thodey.
FOOTNOTES:
[1] See Outline: [Sanctified Affliction,] chap. xvii. 7, 8.
Chastisement.
xix. 22. And the Lord shall smite Egypt, &c.
I. The benevolent design of God in chastisement. God smites in order to heal. Scripture teaches throughout that God’s dealings with men are—1. Not capricious. 2. Not indiscriminate. 3. Not unjust. He does not impose burdens that cannot be borne, nor exact obedience which man cannot render, nor select favourites for preference or victims for vengeance, without any regard to the relations existing between man and Himself. Contrary to all this, God’s smiting is that—(1) of a Rescuer, who inflicts blows upon the chains that He may set us free; (2) of a Physician, who in mercy probes the wound that He may heal it; (3) of a Father, who uses the rod for the salutary purposes of correction and reformation (H. E. I., 56–74).
II. The conduct befitting in men when under chastisement. “And they shall return,” &c. This return includes—1. Submission (H. E. I., 143). 2. Entreaty for help. (See also ver. 20.). This involves humble confession of sin, and hearty reliance upon God (H. E. I., 145–147). 3. Sincerity of purpose, as manifested in the fulfilment of vows. (See also verse 21.)—William Manning.
The Burden of Dumah.
xxi. 11, 12. The burden of Dumah, &c.