That which happens to the dry bones seen by Ezekiel exhibits, very forcibly, the matter to be treated of this evening; namely what God in His goodness will yet do in favor of Israel. We shall follow our usual method of giving a succession of passages out of the word of God upon it. You remember, that in commencing this subject, we remarked the difference between the covenant made with Abraham, and the covenant of the law given on Mount Sinai; and that whenever God was going to show grace to His people, He called to mind the covenant made with Abraham. We also re marked that Israel took the promises under the covenant made in the wilderness, and not under that made with Abraham; and that, from that time Israel, being put under the condition of obedience in order to persevere in the enjoyment of the promises, failed altogether; but that, notwithstanding, thanks to the mediation of Moses, God was able to bless the people.
We shall have to see how Israel failed again after that, even when established in the land which the Lord had given to them; and that God raised up prophets, in a way altogether apart from His necessary dealings with them, to convict them of the sin into which they had fallen, and to show the faithful ones that the counsels of God towards Israel would not be put aside; for that, by means of the Messiah, He would accomplish all that which He had spoken. We shall see also, that it was just when Israel would fail, that these promises of their re-establishment would become precious to the faithful remnant of the people.
Let us remember that in the history of the sin of Israel under the law, we have the history of every heart among us; that if we place ourselves before God, we shall recognize that it is only the grace which is known to us by the work of God, which can not only sustain us in, but relieve us from, the situation in which we find ourselves in consequence of sin.
I am going to look through the decline and ruin of Israel under every form of its government, from the time of the entry into the land of Canaan. It was Joshua who led them. The book of this name is the history of the victories of Israel over the Canaanitesthe history of the faithfulness of God in the accomplishment of all that He had promised to His people. The Judges and Samuel are the history of the failure of Israel in the land of Canaan until David; but, at the same time, of the patience of God. First, then, how does Joshua describe the Israelites-their condition and character?
In chapter 24., he recites all that God had done on their behalf-all His favors, and all His goodness; upon which (ver. 16) the people answer, " God forbid that we should forsake the Lord." In verse 19, Joshua says to the people, " Ye cannot serve the Lord; ' and the people say, " Nay, but we will serve the Lord;" " The Lord our God will we serve, and his voice will we obey." " So (ver. 25) Joshua made a covenant with the people that day." This captain of their salvation led them into the land of promise; they enjoy the fruits of grace, and they anew undertake to obey the Lord.
In Judg. 2, they are found in complete failure, and in consequence God says," I will not drive out your enemies from before you, but they shall be as thorns in your sides." Verses 11, 14: " And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the Lord, and served Baalim; and the anger of the Lord was hot against Israel." It is always the same picture-kindness on the part of God, ingratitude on that of man.
(Continued from Page 40.)
( To be continued, D. V.)