xxvi. 9. _When Thy judgments are in the earth, the
inhabitants of the earth will learn righteousness._
I. _It is a lamentable proof of the depravity of our nature, that in
general, apart from God's judgments, the wicked will not learn
righteousness._ 1. The history of the world shows that men will not
give heed to the lessons they _ought_ to learn from the beauty of
creation, the established laws of nature, and the ordinary blessings
of Providence (Rom. i. 20-23). Extraordinary blessings excite only
transient emotions of praise and thanksgiving; and too often serve
only as occasions for showing greater alienation of heart from God,
and for filling up the measure of iniquity (H. E. I., 3997-4014).
2. All this may be abundantly illustrated from the history of our own
country. With us times of national prosperity have been times of
national profanity. 3. On every hand we find individual proofs of the
same sad fact.
II. _When such special interferences of Providence take place as in
Scripture language are called "judgments," the inhabitants of the
earth sometimes learn righteousness._ In this respect, signal
chastisements are ordinarily more effective than the most bountiful
displays of kindness and compassion. 1. Scripture abounds with
statements of the need and profitableness of chastisement (Ps.
cxix. 67, 71; 2 Chron. xxxiii. 12, &c.) It is intimated that
afflictions form an essential part of the discipline of the righteous
(Ps. xxxiv. 19; Rev. iii. 19, &c.) Some cross is needful, as long as
we live, to keep us in our right place, dependent on our Maker; and
hence those who have few outward afflictions to teach them the
necessary lessons of humility, generally experience a large allotment
of inward trials on that very account; and sometimes both the outward
and the inward afflictions are combined for this purpose (2 Cor.
xii. 7, 10). 2. Even without the Bible, the fact asserted in our text
was so universal and prominent, that it by no means escaped the wiser
part of the heathen moralists. A Greek historian has observed, "that
fortune never bestows liberally an unmixed happiness on mankind. With
all her gifts, there is conjoined some disastrous circumstance, in
order to chastise men into a reverence for the gods, whom, in a
continual course of prosperity, they are apt to neglect and forget."
CONCLUSION.--1. _Few things are more perilous than long-continued
prosperity._--Ordinarily its effects on the religious opinions and
moral habits of nations and individuals are most lamentable (Deut.
xxxi. 20, 29). Let those, then, who are prosperous be especially on
their guard (Deut. viii. 10, 11). 2. _For "judgments" we should be
thankful._ They are not displays of vindictiveness, but gracious and
compassionate dispensations, intended to warn, that God may not be
compelled to destroy. 3. _To the lessons of God's "judgments" we
should give heed._ Prominent among them is this, that "except the
Lord keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain."--_Isaac Milner,
D.D.: Sermons,_ vol. i. pp. 1-54.
I. CONSIDER THE AUTHOR OF THOSE JUDGMENTS AND CALAMITIES WITH WHICH
THEY ARE VISITED; THE ENDS FOR WHICH THEY ARE SENT; AND THEIR FITNESS
TO INSTRUCT US IN RIGHTEOUSNESS.--1. Judgments _come from God._ His
providence rules over all, and all second causes, animate and
inanimate, are directed and overruled by Him. This is the decision of
_reason,_ and the declaration of _revelation_ (Amos iii. 6; Isa.
xlv. 6, 7). Imitate, then, the ancient believers who, whatever were
the inferior causes of their affliction, without justifying the
instruments, and leaving to God the punishment of the unrighteous,
ever looked up to Him who ruleth over all (Gen. xlv. 5, 7; Job i. 21;
H. E. I., 139). 2. _But why does God visit us with judgments?_ Not
that He delights in the miseries of His creatures (Lam. iii. 33); but
that they may be humbled, convinced of their iniquity, and taught
righteousness. We often compel Him thus to deal with us. We permit
His favours to hide the hand that confers them; and, like Jonah, when
the ocean of life is smooth, and the gales of prosperity pleasantly
blow, we flee from Him, and slumber in our sin. In the greatness of
His compassion, He employs the rough means necessary to arouse us
(Ps. lxxviii. 34, 35). 3. _There is a fitness in judgments to cause
men to awake to righteousness._ (1.) They deeply affect us, and lead
us to repentance, because they are rarer than mercies. Our attention
is most arrested by that which is novel. We gaze more earnestly on
the sun, when for a few moments it is in eclipse, than we have done
for months while it was steadily pursuing its course through the
heavens. We are more roused by a storm for a day, than by serene
weeks. It is thus with mercies and judgments. (2.) They powerfully
address that passion which has most influence on the greater part of
mankind--the passion of fear. They present God in such a character,
that even the most stout-hearted sinners tremble to oppose Him.
(3.) Because they teach on that most compendious and efficacious
mode--by example. On beholding them we feel that the threatenings of
God are not a dead letter which need fill us with no dismay. Yet they
have not invariably this effect. There are some who can resist
judgments as well as mercies (2 Chron. xxviii. 22; Isa. xxii. 12, 13).
II. WHY THE JUDGMENTS OF GOD DO NOT ALWAYS TEACH MEN RIGHTEOUSNESS.
Judgments that light upon others are frequently rendered useless.
1. By disbelief of His declarations. 2. By false views of His
character (H. E. I., 2180-2184, 2282). 3. By unscriptural views of
our own state and condition. 4. By a base inattention to the
operations of Providence. 5. By a stupid insensibility to our danger.
We tranquilly behold the lightning flashing at a distance, and
suppose that it will not hurt us, as though we were of a different
nature from those who are consumed by it (Zeph. iii. 6, 7).
6. Because, instead of being humbled and led to think of our sins, we
vent our grief only in vain regrets and useless lamentations. We
forget who is the Author of these judgments, and so, instead of
humbly saying with Job, "Shew me, wherefore Thou contendest with me,"
we waste our strength in profitless complaints of men and
things.--_Henry Kollock, D.D., Sermons,_ pp. 505-512.