xxxiv. 8. _For it is the day of the Lord's vengeance, &c._
The Lord has always been mindful of His Church. He is pledged to her
defence against the world, and against the world-spirit which often
intrudes within her pale. Chapter xxxiv. contains a description of
the effects of the Divine vengeance in the typical case of Edom;
chapter xxxv. describes the flourishing state of the Church
consequent upon the execution of the Divine judgments.
+I. There is a parallel between God's dealings with individuals and
society.+ Such a parallel may be presumed to exist, inasmuch as any
society is made up of individuals; and God cares equally for the
single and the corporate life. Taking the mass of men, evil
dispositions lead to evil deeds, and these to habits, before they are
turned to the service of God. God intervenes in the way of judgment;
times of judgment are appointed them, foreshadowing a future day of
the Lord's vengeance. 1. _Individual judgments._ God's controversy
with Jacob at Peniel, when Jacob's thigh was put out of joint, was
but the climax of the Divine vengeance in respect of his sinful past,
and became the _turning-point_ of his life. Not only are bad men
changed in this way, but good men are made better (xxxviii. 12-14;
Lam. iii. 3-21; Job x. 16-20; H. E. I. 56-59, 66-70, 116). God
strikes, that human nature may be laid bare in its depths, and a
thorough work of regeneration accomplished, proceeding from within
outward. Afflictions do not always soften; but they do so often
enough to form a large part of the method of the Divine vengeance.
2. _Social and national judgments._ Jacob became Israel, and Israel
the Church of God, the representative of God on earth, even as Edom,
of which Esau, the godless, was the ancestor, is regarded in
Scripture as the representative of the world-power. Edom was
emphatically the troubler of Israel. Its judgments--prophetic of
greater in the future--were sent by the Defender of Zion--(1.) To
make manifest its sin; (2.) To show the theocratic character of
Israel.
But the Edom, or world-spirit, was in Israel herself; hence the
judgments of the Church. The idea of the theocracy was interfered
with when Israel wished a king, like the other nations (1 Sam.
viii. 6, 7). That could only be entertained by Jehovah if kings had
their right to rule direct from Himself. And so He raised up _David
and David's line_ (1 Sam. xvi. 1-13; Gen. xlix. 8). Hence the
institution and perpetuation of the prophetic line--Samuel, Isaiah,
Ezekiel, &c.--to assert and maintain the idea of the theocracy.
With a grander display of the Divine power this tale has been re-told
under the Christian dispensation. Social and national crises are
still brought about, in the wise judgment of God, first, to make
manifest the sins of communities and nations; and, second, to direct
men to the Church of Christ. In times of _the Church's
unfaithfulness,_ apostles, truly apostolic men, reformers, &c.,
interfere.
+II. Antagonism between the Church and the world must end in the
defeat and subjugation of the world.+ Jehovah is the defender of the
cause of Zion through the ages. He has espoused the cause of holiness
against ungodliness. His people may be dispersed, but the Church does
not die out. From the lowest ebb it returns to the flow. The blood of
its martyrs becomes seed. Its opponents turn ever feebler. This is
seen in their more spasmodic efforts. Its benign influence has
extended far; ever larger numbers are being brought under its yoke.
The world fights every inch of the ground; but--
+III. The great day is surely coming.+ There must come a complete
manifestation of the Church's inherent glory. 1. This manifestation
will take place by displays of Divine vengeance on the enemies of
Zion. This method of the ancient time has not become obsolete. 2. The
manifestation will not be short-lived, but continue, so that
destruction may be succeeded by a realised state of salvation.
3. Last of all, there shall be seen the triumph of the Church, when
Church and world shall be conterminous, and fulness of blessing be
enjoyed. (Chapter xxxv. still awaits its largest fulfilment.)
CONCLUSION.--1. We have a Gospel of terror to preach to the world--a
_Gospel of terror,_ for the Divine vengeance is informed by the
greatest heart of love. Is the Church, as some say, becoming less
powerful in our time? Let the question at least provoke searchings of
heart. God still sends judgments upon unfaithful Churches.
2. Remember, in times of darkness and trial, that the Lord has the
deepest interest in His Church. It cannot disappear from the world;
but be alive to removing from it causes of weakness. 3. Let us
encourage one another in the hope of a time when the Church's glory
shall be fully manifested, when the time of recompense for the long
controversy of Zion shall arrive. Let us work in the Church so as to
help to bring about the glad time coming.--_J. Macrae Simcock._