Jeremiah 8:7-8 Yes, the stork in the heaven knows her appointed times; and the turtle and the crane and the swallow observe the time of their coming… I. THE BIRDS OF PASSAGE SHOW IN THEIR PERIODIC MIGRATIONS, THEIR DISCERNMENT OF SEASONS, AND THIS BOTH AS REGARDS THE TIME OF THEIR VISITING AND THE TIME OF THEIR LEAVING US. Probably some peculiarity in the material structure of migratory birds renders them extremely sensitive to changes of temperature — and as these changes always recur at certain seasons of the year, they observe seasons, and make a corresponding change in their places of abode. So great is their sagacity, so true their instinct. II. CONSIDER THE OPERATION OF UNSANCTIFIED REASON IN DISCERNING TIMES. 1. Consider the invitations of this season of grace. (1) The Saviour's voice issuing forth from the pages of the written Word, addresses sinners in such soothing accents, and holds forth to them promises so refreshing, that one would think it could hardly fail of winning an entrance into their hearts, and finding a response there! (2) But we believe that in every case in which the sinner has made a nominal profession of Christ's religion, and been formally admitted to the participation of Christian privileges, the Holy Spirit seconds, by an inward action upon the conscience, this external call of the Saviour. In the abysmal depths of the consciousness He strives with the reluctant soul, and whispers in accents, which even the giddy whirl of vanity and frivolity cannot entirely drown or shut out, "Come."(3) God employs subordinate human agents to herald in the ears of His people His invitations of grace. The bride, that is the Church, says "Come." She says so by her ministers, who are her commissioned representatives. (4) God invites us to return in penitence and faith to His bosom by the dispensations of His providence, no less than by more immediate and direct summons (Hosea 5:15; Micah 6:9). 2. But if the majority of sinners be not gently won by the invitations of grace, they will haply be driven by terror to take refuge in those offers. Let growing age and infirmity bring death and judgment very near — the prospect will surely urge the wanderer to return with hurried steps to the sheepfold! When hoar hairs are here and there upon him, he will lay to heart the cheerless desolate prospect which lies before him in the vista of futurity, and fly before the approaching winter of God's wrath! (Dean Goulburn.) Parallel Verses KJV: Yea, the stork in the heaven knoweth her appointed times; and the turtle and the crane and the swallow observe the time of their coming; but my people know not the judgment of the LORD. |
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