The Duty and Advantage of Solemn Meditation
Genesis 24:63
And Isaac went out to meditate in the field at the eventide: and he lifted up his eyes, and saw, and, behold, the camels were coming.


I shall first explain the duty, and then apply the subject.

I. I AM TO SHOW WHAT MEDITATION IS.

1. A choice of some spiritual subject to meditate upon. Many meditate upon sin with delight, and so ride post to hell with little din. "He deviseth mischief upon his bed, he setteth himself in a way that is not good; he abhorreth not evil. Others employ their thoughts only in the meditation of things of the world. But he that would meditate aright must choose some spiritual subject to think upon. And it is needful we should select some one, and not abide in generals (Psalm 63:6; Song of Solomon 1:4).

2. A calling in of the heart front all other objects. The mind of man is too narrow to be taken up to purpose about many things at once, especially with thoughts of divers kinds; therefore prays David, "Unite my heart to fear Thy name."

3. Employing the heart on the spiritual subject so chosen, to think upon it, study it, and seriously consider of it; to lay it before our understandings, so as to move our affections and improve our hearts.

II. LET US APPLY THE SUBJECT. I exhort you to make conscience of this duty of meditation, and particularly of fixed meditation, setting yourselves as solemly to it as to prayer and other duties. Motive

1. Consider it is the command of God. "Commune with your own heart upon your bed." "And meditate upon these things," says Paul to Timothy. Why do you perform other duties but because God commands you? Well, He that bids you do other duties, bids you do this also.

2. It is made desirable by the testimony which it hath from the practice of the people of God.

3. It is of notable use for a Christian's improvement. It much increases knowledge: "I have more understanding," says David, "than all my teachers, for Thy testimonies are my meditation." It is the way to comfort under affliction. When David's enemies plotted against him, "thy servant," says he, "did meditate in thy statutes." It makes a Christian tender in his way. "I will meditate on Thy precepts, and have respect unto Thy ways." It gives a Christian a sweet relish of the goodness of God (Psalm 63:5, 6).

(T. Boston, D. D.)



Parallel Verses
KJV: And Isaac went out to meditate in the field at the eventide: and he lifted up his eyes, and saw, and, behold, the camels were coming.

WEB: Isaac went out to meditate in the field at the evening. He lifted up his eyes, and saw, and, behold, there were camels coming.




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