Micah 2:7 O you that are named the house of Jacob, is the spirit of the LORD straitened? are these his doings?… Weary of correction and reproof, the house of Jacob refused to receive instruction, and said to the prophets, "Prophesy ye not." The Lord appeals to them that the messages sent by His servants were intended for their good, that even the threatenings were designed to correct and to reclaim, that He was ready to pour out of His Spirit upon them, but for their impenitence and unbelief and rejection of His testimony; and that His words were acceptable and profitable to the upright, how much soever they might be despised by the apostate house of Jacob. I. THE CHARACTERS TO WHOM THE WORD OF GOD IS PROFITABLE ARE THE "UPRIGHT." 1. The truly upright are those whose hearts are right in the sight of God; Israelites in whom is no guile. They are no dissemblers in religion; truth is stamped upon their words and actions. Their faith is unfeigned, and their love without dissimulation. An upright man is what he appears to be. 2. The upright are such as walk by a right rule, the Word of God, making this the guide and standard of their actions. He who is continually gadding about to change his way cannot be in the right way. Uniformity of conduct is essential to uprightness. 3. The upright are represented as "walking," or making progress in the way to heaven. True religion means not only persevering, but making some proficiency in the good ways of God. Hence we learn that — (1) True religion is practical. (2) It is personal. (3) It is free and voluntary. (4) It is imperfect at present, though tending to perfection, and there is room for continual improvement. II. THE ADVANTAGES WHICH THE TRULY UPRIGHT DERIVE FROM THE WORD OF GOD. To him that walketh uprightly, the word of real experience, and we are taught them oft in the school of painful experience; it is in this way He applies them. All His rebukings are for our sanctification. II. THE CAUSE FOR CAUTION ON OUR PART, THAT WE TURN NOT AWAY FROM A WHOLE CONSIDERATION OF THIS WIDE, EXTENDED, AND EXTENSIVE WORK OF THE SPIRIT. Do not imagine that a man can really "straiten the Spirit of God." I might as well imagine that a molehill could change the course of the planets. Our blessed Spirit is Jehovah, omnipotent. Some attempt to straiten the Spirit of God by confining their ideas of His operation on the soul to that which is pleasant on1y, to that which is refreshing, to that which is comforting, to that which is elevating. They see not that there is as much the work of the Spirit in that which humbles, in that which reproves, in that which cuts down, in that which dries up, in that which lays low, and keeps the soul as in a low place. (J. H. Evans, M. A.) Parallel Verses KJV: O thou that art named the house of Jacob, is the spirit of the LORD straitened? are these his doings? do not my words do good to him that walketh uprightly? |
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