i. 24. _Therefore thus saith the Lord, the Lord of hosts,
the Mighty One of Israel, Ah, I will ease me of mine
adversaries, and avenge me of mine enemies._
Concerning many men, we may offer Christ's prayer, "Father, forgive
them; for they know not what they do." They sin in ignorance, or
rather without thought of their character and relation to God, and of
the doom which they are bringing upon themselves. There may be such
persons before me now. Acting, then the part of a true and faithful
friend, I warn you--+I. That God counts you as His enemies.+ By
cherishing your sins you defy His authority, and place yourself in a
position of hostility to Him.[1] +II. That God feels Himself,
injured, oppressed, and as it were hemmed in by your iniquities.+
Note this most suggestive phrase, "I will _ease me_ of mine
adversaries," and see outline on verse 14. God's laws are His
territories, and by your transgressions you invade them. Your sins
are _trespasses._ God feels toward you as the French feel towards the
Germans who have taken possession of and settled down in Alsace and
Lorraine; you put upon God an indignity which He cannot and will not
bear. +III.+ That while God endures your trespasses for a time, in
the merciful hope that by His forbearance you may be led to
repentance, +He will not restrain His anger for ever,+ but will
presently give free vent to it,[2] and sweep you into that place
where, though you may retain the disposition to sin against Him, you
will not have the power.
_Application._--Now consider--1. That this is not the resolve of some
feeble being destitute of resources for the accomplishment of his
purposes. He who thus solemnly warns you is "the Lord of hosts, the
Mighty One of Israel." 2. Whether you have resources that will enable
you to cope with this adversary whose indignation you have aroused
(Luke xiv. 31). If not, consider--3. What is the course that wisdom
would suggest to you in your present circumstances (Luke xiv. 32).[3]