Jeremiah 31:18-21 I have surely heard Ephraim bemoaning himself thus; You have chastised me, and I was chastised, as a bullock unaccustomed to the yoke… The real turning-point in man's spiritual history is when he begins to accuse himself and to justify God. From self-accusation the soul is led on by the Spirit of God to self-condemnation. Mark, in the first place, what it is that Ephraim bemoans. It is "himself." To mourn sinful acts is one thing, and may be done by even a Judas. To mourn over a sinful nature, an evil heart dwelling within, of which the act is only an expression, is quite another. The one may be the work of the natural conscience unenlightened by the Spirit of God: the other is the genuine mark of a soul that has been under the leading of that Spirit, and has "passed from death unto life." Mark it in the case of Ephraim. "I have surely heard Ephraim bemoaning himself." It is no mere surface work. It is Ephraim under conviction of sin. It is Ephraim taking up the prophet's words, "Woe is me, for I am undone." Mark the three times the word "surely" occurs here. "I have surely heard Ephraim"; "surely after that I was turned, I repented"; "I will surely have mercy." These are "the sure mercies of David," given to the soul under the training of the Spirit of God. There is the sure ear of God, the sure repentance of the soul, and the sure mercy to meet it. Why is this? Because the work is God's. It is a thorough work. Observe, next, how God often brings the soul to the knowledge of itself. "Thou hast chastised me." It is through the sharp strokes of trial and discipline. Ah! these do God's work often when nothing else will. Let God draw near and lay His hand upon us, then the true character of the heart will display itself. That character is unchangeable — "enmity to God." Blessed be God when we are brought to see and feel it! Then, like Ephraim, we say, "Turn Thou me, and I shall be turned." And what is the ground on which this is urged? "For Thou art the Lord my God." What a plea! What sweet assurance! What trust! What knowledge of Him these words imply! Oh, to draw near at all times with this on the lips! Then will the bow of peace span the darkest cloud, and light and peace and joy be the heritage of the soul. Observe the next clause. God "turns" the soul, then there is true repentance. Then He "instructs" that soul by His Spirit. It goes on learning deeper lessons of Him and of His wondrous grace. But mark the direction which this "instruction" takes, and the spirit it begets in the soul. "After that I was instructed," &c. How the instruction increases humility! How the soul begins with smiting, and goes on to shame and confounding! Mark, next, the Lord's language to the returning child. "Ephraim, My dear son; a pleasant child; for since I spake against him, I do earnestly remember him still: therefore My bowels are troubled for him: I will "surely have mercy upon him, saith the Lord." How beautifully the history of the prodigal son confirms this! "Set thee up way-marks; make thee high heaps." Make thee finger-posts to guide thee to heaven. How many a thing the believer may set before him each day to help him onward. How many a passage of Scripture stored up in memory may preserve the soul in danger's hour, and send it on its way more than conqueror! How many a secret prayer sent up to God has been a way-mark, leading the soul into a right path when all was perplexity and darkness! Yes, not only "set thee up way-marks," but "make thee high heaps." A high heap is one that can easily be seen. Oh! it is a great thing when we come to some perplexity in life, when we come to some turning-point in our history, to have something ready to hand. It is a blessed thing not to have to search about for it, not to be hindered in the course by delay, but to see the path plainly and clearly before us! And what is the last word in this passage to Ephraim? "Turn again, O virgin of Israel, turn again to these thy cities." It is a prophetic word, bidding that exile from her long-lost home look back again in hope. It is the climax of all that has gone before. It is "that blessed hope," the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. What a glorious prospect awaits the despised and downtrodden nation of Israel! What a glorious prospect awaits the Church of the living God — the Bride of the Lamb! (F. Whitfield, M. A.) Parallel Verses KJV: I have surely heard Ephraim bemoaning himself thus; Thou hast chastised me, and I was chastised, as a bullock unaccustomed to the yoke: turn thou me, and I shall be turned; for thou art the LORD my God. |
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