iv. 4. _By the Spirit of judgment, and by the Spirit of
burning._
In ch. ii. 1-5, the prophet gives us a vision of the glory which
shall distinguish Messianic times. From ver. 6, however, and through
that chapter and the next, he depicts scenes of darkness and
distress, that were to come upon the Jewish nation in correction of
its haughtiness, arrogance, and rebellion. In ch. iv. the light again
breaks through these fearful clouds of judgment, and under the glory
of the Messianic period we see the beauty and purity of the chastened
people of the Lord. The filth of the daughters of Zion has been
washed away, the blood of Jerusalem has been purged from the midst
thereof. But how? "By the Spirit of judgment, and by the Spirit of
burning." Here we have the source and cause of the change.--This
language is very striking and suggestive, _and reveals the Divine
procedure in the cleansing of the heart._
I. THE SPIRIT OF JUDGMENT. God's Spirit effects this reformation by a
process of discernment and conviction. We observe--1. That a real
change of heart is usually preceded by a discovery of its sinful
condition. The natural tendency of the depraved heart is to ignore
and deny its corrupted state. The light must be let in to show that
it _is_ depraved.[1] 2. That this reformation is preceded by a
discovery of the _enormity_ as well as the fact of sin. Even a
converted sinner tries to palliate or soften the sins that condemn
him. Hence men contrive such flimsy distinctions as "white lies" and
"black lies." But "the Spirit of judgment" goes to the root of the
matter, and discovers sin _as_ sin (1 Kings viii. 28). So in the
text, it is the _filth_ of the daughters of Zion that has to be
washed away; it is the _blood_ of Jerusalem that has had to be purged
from its midst.[2]
II. THE SPIRIT OF BURNING. From this description of the Holy Ghost,
we learn--1. That _the detection of sin is, in the Divine purpose, to
be followed by its destruction._ There can be no _home_ for sin in a
pure heart, nor will God make any concession to it (Hab. i. 13; Ps.
v. 5). 2. _This process is extremely searching and painful._ It is
one of "burning" (Matt. iii. 11). How many have quailed under the
testing ordeal!--_e.g.,_ loss of wealth! loss of friends! personal
affliction, &c.
From the subject three general reflections arise:--1. God does not
chastise arbitrarily or at random. He does it by "the Spirit of
judgment." 2. Neither does He fail in the work by reason of a weak
indulgence, which really would be unkindness. He does it by "the
Spirit of burning." 3. The object He has in view is to promote and
secure our personal holiness, to make us indeed _like Himself_ (Heb.
xii. 10)--the most blessed result to which discipline can lead
us.--_W. Manning._