xxx. 1-3. _Woe to the rebellious children, saith the Lord,
that take counsel, but not of Me, &c._
The policy inculcated by the Divine Ruler on the Jewish nation was a
policy of isolation. Now, this would be a self-destructive policy.
But the circumstances of that nation were peculiar. It was not a
missionary to the world, but it was a witness. When it formed
alliances with surrounding nations, its witness became indistinct. It
often dropped its testimony and adopted the idolatries against which
its protest should have been uniform. This prophecy is against the
alliance with Egypt. Assyria was about to invade that country. It was
feared she would take Judea on the way. Now, the Lord was its
defence; there was therefore no need to seek assistance from any
other power whatsoever. It was a rebellious and unbelieving spirit
that sought this alliance. The politicians sought a covering from the
impending storm; but they did not seek it by Divine counsel. They
were adding another sin to the number against them. It would be shame
and confusion at the end. Egypt would be unwilling or unable to help.
Human nature is ever the same. Here is a representation of the way in
which sinners act, and of its consequences.
+I. All sin proceeds from neglect and defiance of God's counsel.+
1. It is implied that God has counselled or may be consulted
respecting human conduct. By the prophet He had declared against the
alliance with Egypt. In the written word we have His will. It does
not deal with our modern life and circumstances in detail.
Impossible. But we have what is better; principles of action which we
are to apply to circumstances. No one ever long in a moral
difficulty, if he honestly apply these principles. Every act which is
of the nature of evil is forbidden. Many sinful acts are forbidden by
name. We have the example of the Son of God. We have the most
inspiring motives; gratitude, love, hope, fear. A revolution of our
nature in the direction of God's holiness is demanded. The ministry
of the Word expounds and enforces these great principles. Men do not
sin for want of counsel from God.
2. Our text charges men with acting on other counsel than the Divine.
The charge is twofold. (1.) _Neglect of the counsel they ought to
have sought._ Sincere desire to be right would apply to the Divine
Word in relation to all the conduct of life. How many adopt and act
upon the principle that it shall guide everything? Is not its
authority discounted? When tempted to the questionable or sinful, but
advantageous, how many, with steady clearness of moral vision, look
straight at God's counsel? As to the ministry of the Word, one part
of the function of which is to keep men's moral perceptions clear,
how many absent themselves from it entirely! (2.) _Seeking the
counsel they ought not to have sought._ They sought counsel of their
own inclinations. It was a foregone conclusion. They _wished_ to go
down into Egypt. If they consulted, it was, as often happens, with
those inclined in the same way. Men are secretly conscious of
alienation from God, which instinctively dislikes His
recommendations. Man's moral nature is unhinged; and he turns from
God anywhither. The maxims of the world, the opinions of associates,
considerations of worldly interest, conspire to the rejection of His
counsel. Micaiah must be imprisoned if he prophesy evil, although it
be true.
+II. Sin is cumulative and growing.+
"That they may add sin to sin." Sin is rarely single (H. E. I.,
4507-4509). A rope is twined from many threads. The Jewish people
committed one sin by forsaking the counsel of God, another in
trusting to the help of Egypt. Some substances have an affinity for
each other. So have moral elements. Sins have a fearfully attractive
and accumulative power. The youth wanders from the house of God.
Conscience is stifled. Amusement is sought. Loose companions are
cultivated. Restraint is gradually thrown off. Fraud is necessary.
Fraud requires falsehood. One falsehood requires another. Sin is
added to sin. Soon as a sin is committed it drops the seed of
another, and so onward in terrible progression. Add grain of sand to
grain until it becomes a mountain. Money is scraped together by care
and labour, but sins rush to each other with mutual attraction. If
you could have foreseen the growth of your own sins, surely you would
have refrained. Count the sins of your life. They are added up in
God's book.
+III. Every sin contains the germ of its own punishment.+
"Therefore shall the strength of Pharaoh be your shame, and the trust
in the shadow of Egypt your confusion." Sin makes promises which it
fails to perform. You are disappointed. This is part of the
punishment. Punishment is often appropriate, growing out of the sin.
Sometimes this is palpable, as in the case of sensual lusts. Oftener
subtle. Punishment accumulates, as sin does. There is a treasuring up
of wrath (H. E. I., 4603-4614). Will you continue to accumulate it?
or will you pause, cease? You must repent. Do not hug your chains.
You must cry for mercy. You must yield. You must repair to the
cross.--_John Rawlinson._