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Post by Admin on Sept 14, 2023 14:52:06 GMT -5
Watson’s Recipe for Repentance
R. A. MILLER
Repentance-Prayer
“For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.” —2 Corinthians 7:10
Thomas Watson was a seventeenth-century Puritan pastor whose works are still read today. His books include The Great Gain of Godliness, The Godly Man’s Picture, and A Body of Practical Divinity to name a few. In this article, we will journey into the pharmacy of the soul, as Watson has prepared a recipe for repentance—”a spiritual medicine made up of six special ingredients.” What are these necessary components of repentance? Read on as we consider Watson’s thoughts from The Doctrine of Repentance.1
To begin, Watson says that someone who repents must have “sight of sin.” If you are familiar with the parable of the prodigal son, you will know that the son squandered his inheritance by living recklessly. What sent him back to his father? Luke 15:17 says that “he came to himself,” but what does that mean? Watson explains “Before a man can come to Christ he must first come to himself. . . . A man must first recognize and consider what his sin is, and know the plague of his heart, before he can be duly humbled for it.” This element of repentance is necessary, as none will repent unless they see that they have sin of which to repent.
Second, a repentant person must feel sorrow over sin. 2 Corinthians 7:10 says, “godly sorrow worketh repentance.” This shows that godly sorrow is the parent of repentance. If repentance isn’t felt in the heart, it doesn’t truly exist in the soul. Watson says, “A woman may as well expect to have a child without pangs as one can have repentance without sorrow. Someone who can believe without doubting, should suspect his faith; and someone who can repent without sorrowing, should suspect his repentance.” Therefore, repentance cannot be a mere mental acknowledgment of wrongdoing but must be an authentic affection of the heart.
The third ingredient in this spiritual medicine is the confession of sin. The sorrow that one feels about his sin must be expressed. “Sorrow is such a vehement passion that it must vent. It vents itself at the eyes by weeping, and at the tongue by confession,” says Watson. Additionally, the confessor of sin recognizes that he deserves to suffer from the repercussions of their actions. “The humble sinner does more than accuse himself; as it were, he sits in judgment and passes sentence upon himself. He confesses that he deserves to be bound over to the wrath of God,” remarks the Puritan theologian.
The next two ingredients are shame and hatred for sin. In addition to having great anguish over his iniquity, shame brings feelings of unworthiness to the penitent soul. The prodigal son said to his father, “I am no longer worthy to be called your son.” Watson comments, “Blushing is the color of virtue. When the heart has been made black with sin, grace makes the face red with blushing.” He continues, “Sin has made us naked, and that may breed shame. Sin has stripped us of our white linen of holiness.” If our law-breaking does not make us feel unworthy, then we are not ready to repent.
This shame over breaking God’s law should lead to hatred. If someone has sorrow and shame over sin but fails to loathe it, they will continue to sin. Watson quips, “Sound repentance begins in the love of God, and it ends in the hatred of sin.” Our hatred of sin is a great benefit to us. Romans 8:13 tells us to kill the deeds of the body, and one’s hatred toward sin will make it easier to dispose of.
Finally, turning from sin is the final step of repentance. All of the preceding aspects of repentance build into a crescendo that compels us to forsake our wickedness. This results in a noticeable difference for the person who repents. Watson writes, “There is a change worked in the life. Turning from sin is so visible that others may discern it. Therefore, it is called a change from darkness to light (Eph 5:8). Paul, after he had seen the heavenly vision, was so turned that all men wondered at the change (Acts 9:21). Repentance turned the jailer into a nurse and physician (Act 16:33).”
All of these elements must be found in true repentance. They are all vital. Watson explains, “If any one of these is left out, repentance loses its virtue.” It would be a worthwhile practice to consider these six aspects of repentance the next time we find ourselves asking God for forgiveness. If we find our repentance lacking, we should consider Watson’s words so that our “godly sorrow worketh repentance.”
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Post by Admin on Feb 8, 2024 14:35:32 GMT -5
Part II. THE GREAT GAIN OF GODLINESS
"Then those who feared the Lord talked with each other, and the
Lord hearkened and heard. A scroll of remembrance was written in
his presence concerning those who feared the Lord and honored his
name. "They will be mine," says the Lord Almighty, "in the day
when I make up my jewels. I will spare them, just as in compassion
a man spares his son who serves him. And you will again see the
distinction between the righteous and the wicked, between those
who serve God and those who do not." Malachi 3:16-18
A. The first of the good effects of the saints piety—is that
God REGARDED it. "The Lord hearkened and heard." These
blessed ones in the text were speaking and thinking of God—and he
did not turn away his ear from them, as if he had not minded them.
But he hearkened and heard; which expression denotes
both diligence and delight.
1. It notes the diligent heed God gave to these saints—he
"hearkened". Here was attention of ear, and intentness of mind.
Hearkening is the gesture of one who intently listens to what
another says.
2. God's hearkening shows the delight he took in the holy
dialogues of these saints. He was pleased with them; they were to
him as a sweet melody.
God takes special notice of the good which he sees in his people.
The children of God may perhaps think that God does not regard
them: "I cry unto you—and you do not hear me" (Job 30:20). The
church complains that God shuts out her prayer (Lam. 3:8)—but
though God is some times silent—he is not deaf! He takes notice of
all the good services of his people: "The Lord hearkened and heard."
Why is it that God takes such notice of his people's services?
First, not from any merit in them—but the impulsive cause is
his free grace! The best duties of the righteous, could not endure
God's scales of justice—but God will display the trophies of his
mercy. Free grace accepts—what stern justice would condemn!
Secondly, God's taking notice of the good in his people, is
through Christ! "He has made us accepted—in the beloved" (Eph.
1:6). Or, as Chrysostom renders it, he has made us "favorites".
Through a red glass everything appears of a red color. Just so,
through Christ's blood, both our persons and duties appear ruddy
and beautiful in God's eyes!
Thirdly, God takes notice of the services of his people—because they
flow from the principle of grace. God regards the voice of faith: "O
my dove ... let me hear your voice; for sweet is your voice" (Song of
Sol. 2:14). The services of the wicked are harsh and sour—but
the godly give God the first-ripe cluster (Mic. 7:1), which grows
from the sweet and pleasant root of grace.
First use: INFORMATION.
1. If God hearkens and hears, I infer from hence—God's
OMNISCIENCE. How could he, being in heaven, hear what the
saints speak and think—were he not omniscient? Through the
bright mirror of his own essence he has a full knowlege of all things.
He knows the intrigues of nations, and the stratagems of his
enemies (Exod. 14:24). Future contingencies fall within his cognizance.
God's knowledge is foundational. He is the original, pattern, and
prototype of all knowledge. God's knowledge is instantaneous. He
knows all at once! Our knowledge is successive, we know one thing
after another, and argue from the effect to the cause; but all things
are in God's view—in one entire prospect. God's knowledge
is infallible and not subject to mistake. Such is the infinity of his
knowledge, that the apostle cries out in admiration, "O the depth of
the riches, both of the wisdom and knowledge of God!" (Romans
11:33). The world is to God as a beehive of glass, where you see the
working of the bees and the framing of their honey-combs. All
things are unveiled to the eye of Jehovah! "Nothing in all creation is
hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare
before the eyes of him to whom we must give account!" Hebrews 4:13
2. See God's GOODNESS, who often passes bythe failings of his people
(Num. 23:21), and takes notice of the good in them.
"Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him Lord" (1 Pet. 3:6). The Holy
Spirit passes by Sarah's unbelief and laughing at the promise—and
takes notice of her reverence to her husband; she called him Lord.
"You have heard of the patience of Job" (James 5:11). We have
heard of his impatience, cursing his birthday—but the Lord does not
upbraid him with that—but observes the good that was in him: "You
have heard of the patience of Job". The painter who drew
Alexander's picture, drew him with his finger upon his scar. Just so,
God puts a finger of mercy upon the scars of his children! He sees
their faith—and turns a blind eye to their failings!
3. See God's differing dealings towards the godly and the
wicked. If the godly think on his name, he hearkens and hears; but
if the wicked meddle with religious duties, he turns away his ear.
"He did not accept Cain and his offering" (Gen. 4:5). Suppose a man
had a sweet breath—yet if he had the plague, nobody would come
near him! Just so, though a sinner may give God many a sweet,
elegant expression in prayer—yet, having the plague in his heart,
God will not receive any offering from him! If God shuts
men's prayers out of heaven, it is a sad prognostic that he will shut
their persons out of heaven.
4. See the privilege of the godly—they have God's ear! "The
Lord hearkened and heard!" "His ears are open unto their cry!"
(Psalm 34:15). It would be counted a great happiness to have
the king's ear. How astonishing is it to have God's ear! Believers
have the Spirit of God breathing in them—and God cannot but hear
the voice of his own Spirit.
5. See what an encouragement is here to be conversant in
the duties of God's worship. God takes notice of the services of
his people—he hearkens to them as to sweet music. Who would not
come with their humble addresses to God—when he is so pleased
with them (Prov. 15:8)
Objection 1—But I deserve nothing.
Answer—God does not bestow his favors according to our desert—
but according to his promise and grace.
Objection 2—But I have prayed a long time and have no answer.
Answer—God may hear prayer when he does not answer. He may
lend us his ear—when he does not show us his face! The text says,
"the Lord hearkened and heard." It is not said he gave an answer—
but he "hearkened". It befits suitors to wait. Faith waits upon God,
patience waits for God. "Like a servant’s eyes on his master’s hand—
so our eyes are on the Lord our God until He shows us favor."
(Psalm 123:2).
6. See the difference between God and men. God takes notice
of the good in his people; the wicked pass by the good in the godly—
and take notice only of their failings. If they can spy any impropriety
or blemish in them, they upbraid them with it; like those children
who reproached Elisha for his baldness—but took no notice of the
prophet's miracles (2 Kings 2:23).
7. From the words, "the Lord hearkened and heard"
, take note of the folly of idolaters. They worship a God who can
neither hearken nor hear! The Cretans pictured Jupiter without
ears. Idol gods have ears—but hear not (Psalm 115:6). A lifeless god
is good enough for a lifeless worship.
Second use: EXHORTATION.
1. Let the people of God stand and wonder:
a. Stand and wonder at God's CONDESCENSION, that he who
is so high in the praises and acclamations of the angels—should
stoop so low as to listen to the lispings of his children. "The Lord
hearkened and heard!" Alas, God has no need of our services; he is
infinitely blessed in reflecting upon the splendor of his own infinite
being! We cannot add the least cubit to his essential glory: "If you
are righteous, what do you give Him, or what does He receive from
your hand?" (Job 35:7). Yet such is his sweet condescension, that he
does as it were, stoop below himself, and take notice of his peoples
poor offerings.
b. Stand and wonder at God's LOVE, that he should regard
those services of his people, which are so mixed with corruption!
"Our righteousnesses are as filthy rags!" (Isaiah 64:6). The sacrifice
of thanksgiving, which was the highest sacrifice, had some
leaven mixed with it (Lev. 7:13). Our best duties have some leaven
of imperfection mixed in them; yet such is God's love, that he
receives and accepts them: "I have eaten my honeycomb with
my honey" (Song of Sol. 5:1). Honey is sweet—but the honeycomb is
harsh and bitter, and can hardly be eaten; yet such was Christ's love
to his spouse, that he ate of her honeycomb, her services mixed with
imperfection, and was pleased and delighted with them! Oh, the
love of God, that he should have respect to our offerings, which are
interlaced with sin! Our best duties, are sweet wine coming out of
a sour cask.
2. If God hearkens to us when we speak—let us hearken to
him when be speaks. In the Word, God speaks to us. He is said
now to speak to us from heaven (Heb. 12:25), that is, by the Word.
Does God hearken to us, and shall not we hearken to him? Be not
like the deaf adder which stops her ear. This the Lord complains of:
"God does speak—now one way, now another—though man may not
perceive it" (Job 33:14) . If God's Word does not prevail with us—
our prayers will not prevail with him.
B. The second good effect of the saints piety—was that God
RECORDED it. "A book of remembrance was written before him";
the word in the original for "book of remembrance" signifies "a book
of memorials" or "monuments". The words immediately foregoing
recite God's hearkening and hearing; but lest any should say,
though God does at the present hear the holy speech and thoughts
of his children—yet may they not in time slip out of his mind?
Therefore these words are added, "a book of remembrance was
written before him." The Lord did not only hear the godly speeches
of the saints—but recorded them, and wrote them down! "A book of
remembrance was written."
This is spoken after the manner of men—not that God has any book
of records by him. He does not need to write down anything for the
help of his memory. He is not subject to forgetfulness. Things done
a thousand years ago are as fresh to him—as if they were done but
yesterday: "A thousand years in your sight are but as yesterday
when it is past" (Psalm 90:4).
This "book of remembrance", therefore, is a borrowed form of
speech, taken from kings, who have their chronicles wherein they
note memorable things. King Ahasuerus had his book of records,
wherein were written the worthy deeds of Mordecai (Esther 6:1-2).
Just so, God bears in mind, all the godly speeches and pious actions
of his children. God's particular and critical assessment is a book of
records, where nothing can be lost or torn out.
Doctrine: God eternally remembers all the good designs
and pious endeavors of his people. "God is not unjust; he will
not forget your work and the love you have shown him, as you have
helped his people and continue to help them." (Heb. 6:10). There
are eight things which God writes down in his book of remembrance:
1. The Lord writes down the NAMES of his people. "Whose
names are written in the Book of Life" (Phil. 4:3). This book has
no errata, "I will never erase their names from the Book of Life!" (Rev. 3:5).
2. The Lord writes down the godly SPEECH of his
people. When Christians speak together of the mysteries of heaven
(which is like music in concert), God is much delighted with
it. When their tongues are going on earth—God's pen is going in
heaven! "Those who feared the Lord spoke often one to another, and
a book of remembrance was written!"
3. The Lord writes down the TEARS of his people. Tears drop
down to the earth—but they reach heaven! God has his bottle and
his book: "You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all
my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book!"
(Psalm 56:8). Tears drop from the saints—as water from the roses—
they are fragrant to God—and he puts them in his bottle. And
besides this, he has his book of remembrance, where he writes them
down, "You have recorded each one in your book!" Especially God
writes down such tears as are shed for the sins of the times. "There
was another man among them, clothed in linen, with writing
equipment at his side" (Ezek. 9:2). This was to write down the tears
of the mourners, and to "put a mark on the foreheads of the men
who sigh and groan over all the abominations committed in the
city" (verse 4).
4. God writes down the THOUGHTS of his people. We can
write down men's words—but we cannot write down their thoughts.
It would perplex the angels—to write men's thoughts! But be
assured, never a holy thought comes into our mind—but God writes
it down! So in the text—a book of remembrance was written for
those who thought upon his name. Two things are silent—yet have a voice:
1. Tears: "the Lord has heard the voice of my weeping" (Psalm 6:8).
2. Thoughts: "I know what they are thinking" (Isaiah 66:18).
5. God writes down the DESIRES of his people. "Lord, my
every desire is known to You!" (Psalm 38:9); that is, "It is set down
in your book!" Desire is the spiritual appetite, or the soul's panting
and breathing after God (Psalm 84:2). In this life we do
rather desire God—than enjoy him. Can we say that we take our
souls out of the quiver of our bodies, and shoot them into heaven?
Do our affections sally forth towards Christ? Do we desire him
superlatively and incessantly? Every such desire is put down in
God's register book! Lord, my every desire is known to You!"
6. The Lord writes down the PRAYERS of his people. (Jonah
2:7). Prayer, though it be not vocal, only mental, is recorded.
"Hannah spoke in her heart" (1 Sam. 1:13). That prayer, God wrote
down and answered. God was better to her than her prayer; she
prayed for a son—and God gave her a prophet! At times the heart is
so full of grief, that it can only groan in prayer; yet a groan is
sometimes the best part of a prayer, and God writes it down: "My
groaning is not hidden from You!" (Psalm 38:9). If we cannot speak
with elegance in prayer; if it is only lisping and chattering, God puts
it in his book of remembrance: "I chattered like a swallow, and then
I moaned like a mourning dove. I am in trouble, Lord. Help me!"
(Isaiah 38:14); yet that prayer was heard and registered, "I
have heard your prayer—I have seen your tears!" (verse 5).
7. God writes down the WORKS of his people. Works of
mercy must be done out of love to God. As Mary out of love brought
her ointments and sweet spices, and anointed Christ's dead body—
so out of pure love we must bring our ointments of charity to anoint
the saints, which are Christ's living body. Such alms are not lost.
With such sacrifices God is well pleased (Heb. 13:16). And that we
should see how well the Lord is pleased with them, he writes them
down thus: "Your gifts to the poor have come up as a memorial
offering before God." (Acts 10:4).
8. God has a book of remembrance for the SUFFERINGS of
his people. The saints purgatory is in this life. But there are two
things which may bear up their spirits:
First, every groan of theirs goes to God's heart: "I have also heard
the groaning of the children of Israel" (Exod. 6:5). In music when
one string is touched—all the rest sound. When the saints are
stricken—God's heart reverberates.
Secondly, God has a book of records, to write down his people's
injuries. The wicked make wounds in the backs of the righteous,
and then pour in vinegar. God writes down their cruelty: "I
remember what Amalek did to Israel" (1 Sam. 15:2). Amalek was
Esau's grandchild (Gen. 36:12), a bitter enemy of Israel. The
Amalekites showed their spite to Israel in two ways:
First, "Remember what the Amalekites did to you along the way
when you came out of Egypt. When you were weary and worn out,
they met you on your journey and cut off all who were lagging
behind; they had no fear of God." (Deuteronomy 25:17-18)
Secondly, they openly gave battle to them, and would have hindered
them from going into Canaan (Exod. 17:8). Now God took notice of
Israel's sufferings by Amalek: "I remember what Amalek did to
Israel, and I have my book of remembrance; I write it down." "This
is what the Lord Almighty says—I will punish the Amalekites for
what they did to Israel when they waylaid them as they came up
from Egypt. Now go, attack the Amalekites and totally destroy
everything that belongs to them. Do not spare them; put to death
men and women, children and infants, cattle and sheep, camels and
donkeys." (1 Sam. 15:2-3).
First use of the doctrine: INFORMATION.
I. This shows us that it is not in vain to serve God. The
wicked who do not know God, think him to be a hard Master, and
say, like those Job speaks of, "What would we gain by praying to
him?" (Job 21:15). But the text shows us that God records all the
services of his people, "a book of remembrance was written before
him." God's writing in his book is:
A. An HONOR to the saints. The Romans wrote the names of
their senators in a book, and in token of honor they were called the
"chosen fathers" of the people. So God's book of remembrance
shows his high esteem of his people and their services. He writes
them down.
B. A mark of the SPECIAL FAVOR God bears to his
people. He registers them and their services—with an intent
to crown them! Tamerlane, wrote down all the memorable deeds of
his soldiers, whom he afterwards advanced to places of dignity.
God's service is most desirable; let us make Joshua's choice: "As for
me and my house—we will serve the Lord!" (Joshua 24:15).
If we should desert God's service, where shall we go? When Christ
asked his disciples, Will you also go away? Peter said, "Lord, to
whom shall we go?" (John 6:68); as if to say, "If we leave you, we do
not know where to get help for ourselves." Let us adhere to God; he
has his book of memorials to record our allegiance. We may be
losers for him—but we shall not be losers by him.
2. As God registers the good works of his people—so he has
a book of remembrance to write down the sins of the
wicked! "Go now, write it on a tablet for them, inscribe it on a
scroll, that for the days to come it may be an everlasting witness.
These are rebellious people, deceitful children, children unwilling to
listen to the Lord's instruction!" (Isaiah 30:8-9).
Men's sins are written in the book of conscience—and the book of
God's omniscience. They think that because God does not speak to
them by his loud judgments, therefore God does not know their
sins. But though God does not speak—he writes: "The sin of Judah
is written with an iron stylus. With a diamond point it is engraved."
(Jer. 17:1). God writes down every act of oppression, bribery, and
immorality. "They never consider that I remember all their evil.
Now their sins are all around them; they are right in front of My
face!" (Hos. 7:2). King Belshazzar was carousing and drinking wine
in bowls, and praising his gods of gold and silver; but while he
was sinning—God was writing! "At that very moment they saw the
fingers of a human hand writing on the plaster wall of the king's
palace. The king himself saw the hand as it wrote, and his face
turned pale with fear. Such terror gripped him that his knees
knocked together and his legs gave way beneath him!" (Dan. 5:5-6).
We read of God's book: "The books were opened" (Rev. 20:12); and
we also read of his bag: "My transgression is sealed up in a bag"
(Job 14:17). This seems to allude to law courts, where indictments
against malefactors are sealed up in a bag, and produced at the
trials. When God shall open his black book in which
men's names are written, and his bag in which their sins are written
—then their hearts will tremble, and their knees will knock together
in terror! Every lie a sinner tells, every oath he swears,
every drunken bout—God writes it down in his book of
remembrance! And woe to him—if the book is not crossed out with
the blood of Christ!
3. See the mercifulness of God to his children—who blots
their sins out of his book of remembrance, and writes
their good deeds in his book of remembrance. "I, even I, am
he who blots out your transgressions" (Isaiah 43:25). This is a
metaphor borrowed from the case of a creditor who takes his pen
and blots out the debt owing to him; so says God, I will "blot out
your transgressions". Or as the Hebrew has it, "I am blotting them out."
God in forgiving sin, passes an act of oblivion or amnesty: "I will
remember their sin no more!" (Jer. 31:34). God will not upbraid his
people with their former offences. We never read that when Peter
repented, that Christ upbraided him for his denial of his Lord. Oh,
the heavenly indulgence and kindness of God to his people! He
remembers everything about them—but their sins! He writes down
their good thoughts and speeches in a merciful book of
remembrance; but their sins are as if they had never been—they are
carried into the land of oblivion!
Second Use: EXHORTATION.
If God records our services—then let us record his mercies. Let us
have our book of remembrance. A Christian should keep two books
always beside him; one to write his sins in—that he may be humble;
the other to write his mercies in—that he may be thankful. David
had his book of remembrance: "David appointed some of the Levites
to be ministers before the ark of the Lord, to give thanks and praise
to Him." (1 Chron. 16:4). We should keep a book to record God's
mercies—though I think it will be hard to get a book big enough to
hold them! At such and such a time we were in straitened
circumstances—and God supplied us; at another time under sadness
of spirit—and God dropped in the oil of gladness; at another near
death—and God miraculously restored us. If God is mindful of what
we do for him—shall not we be mindful of what he does for us!
God's mercies, like jewels, are too good to be lost! Get a book of
remembrance!
Third Use: COMFORT.
1. It is comfort to the godly—in the case of friends
forgetting them. Joseph did Pharaoh's cupbearer a kindness—"Yet
the cupbearer did not remember Joseph; he forgot him." (Gen.
40:23). It is only too usual to remember injuries—and
forget kindnesses; but God has a book of remembrance where he
writes down all his old friends. Near relations may sometimes be
forgetful. The tender mother may forget her infant: "Can a mother
forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child
she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you!" (Isa.
49:15). A mother may sooner forget her child—than God be
forgetful. Christ our high priest, has the names of the saints written
upon his breastplate, and all their good deeds written in his book of
memorials! Let this be a remedy to revive the hearts of God's
people; though friends may blot you out of their mind—yet God will
not blot you out of his book!
2. This is consolation to the godly—the Lord keeps a book
of remembrance for this end—that he may at the last day
make a public and solemn mention of all the good which
his saints have done. God will open his book of records and say,
"Then the King will say to those on His right—Come, you who are
blessed by My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from
the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave Me
something to eat; I was thirsty and you gave Me something to drink;
I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed
Me; I was sick and you took care of Me; I was in prison and you
visited Me." (Matt. 25:34-36).
God will make known all the memorable and pious actions of his
people before men and angels! He will say, "Here are those who
have prayed and wept for sin; here are those who have been
advocates for my truth; here are those who have laid to heart my
dishonors, and have mourned for what they could not reform. These
are my renowned ones, my Hephzibahs—in whom my soul
delights!" (Isaiah 62:4).
What a glorious thing will this be—to have God express the high
praise of his saints! When Alexander saw the sepulcher of Achilles,
he cried out "O happy Achilles, who had Homer to set forth your
praise!" What an honor will it be to have the names and worthy
deeds of the saints mentioned, and God himself to be the herald to
proclaim their praises! (2 Cor. 4:5).
C. The third good effect of the saints piety—was that God
REWARDED it. "And they shall be mine, says the Lord Almighty,
in that day when I make up my jewels!" (Mal. 3:17). The reward is
threefold.
1. God's owning them: "They shall he mine, says the Lord Almighty."
2. God's honoring them: "In that day when I make up my jewels."
3. God's sparing them: "I will spare them, as a man spares his own
son that serves him."
Note first, the Person speaking, "the Lord Almighty". This is too
great a word to he passed by in silence. God is often in Scripture
styled, "the Lord Almighty" (Psalm 46:11; Isaiah 1:24); that is, he is
the Supreme General, and Commander of all armies and forces, and
gives victory to whom he will.
Question: Why is this name, "the Lord Almighty", given to God?
Answer: Not because God needs any others to protect himself, or
suppress his enemies. Earthly princes have armies to defend them
from danger—but God needs none to help him: he can fight without
an army. God puts strength into all armies. Other captains may give
their soldiers armor; they cannot give them strength; but God does:
"You have girded me with strength for the battle" (Psalm 18:39).
Why then is God said to have armies—if he needs them not?
Firstly, it is to set forth his sovereign power and grandeur; all
armies and regiments are under his command.
Secondly, it is to show us that though God can effect all things by
himself; yet in his wisdom he often uses the agency of the
creature to bring to pass his will and purpose.
Question: What are these hosts or armies, of which God is the
sovereign Lord?
Answer 1: God has an army in heaven—angels and archangels: "I
saw the Lord sitting on his throne with all the armies of heaven
around him" (1 Kings 22:19). By the armies of heaven, is meant the
angels; they, being spirits, are a powerful army: "You his angels,
which excel in strength" (Psalm 103:20). We read of one angel who
destroyed in one night "a hundred and eighty-five thousand men" (2
Kings 19:35). If one angel destroyed such a vast army, what can a
whole legion of angels do? A legion consisted of six thousand, six
hundred and sixty six. How many of these legions go to make up the
heavenly host! (Dan. 7:10).
The stars are God's army too (Deut. 4:19). These were set in
battalions and fought against God's enemies: "The stars in their
courses fought against Sisera" (Judg. 5:20). That is, the stars
charged like an army, raising storms and tempests by their
influences, and so destroying the whole army of Sisera.
Answer 2: God has armies upon earth, both rational and irrational.
The rational are armies of men. These are under God's command
and conduct. They do not stir without his warrant. The Lord has the
managing of all military affairs. Not a stroke is struck—but God
orders it! Not a bullet flies—but God directs it! As for
the irrational armies, God can raise an army of flies, as he did
against King Pharaoh (Exod. 8:24); an army of worms, as he did
against King Herod (Acts 12:23). Oh, what a Lord is here—who has
so many armies under his authority
