Judges 6:11-24 And there came an angel of the LORD, and sat under an oak which was in Ophrah, that pertained to Joash the Abiezrite… I. THAT A MAN, WHEN ACTIVELY AND UNOSTENTATIOUSLY DOING HIS DUTY, IS BEST FITTED FOR THE RECEPTION OF HEAVENLY VISITANTS. II. THAT, HOWEVER UNCONSCIOUS OF THE FACT A MAN MAY BE, GOD IS REALLY QUICKENING HIM WHEN HE IS ON THE PATH OF DUTY. III. THAT AFFLICTIONS ARE NOT ALWAYS PROOFS OF THE DIVINE DISPLEASURE, BUT ARE FREQUENTLY SENT AS INCENTIVES TO INCREASED EXERTION ON OUR PART. IV. THAT GOD'S THOUGHTS ARE NOT AS OUR THOUGHTS. V. THAT WE SHOULD NOT FOOLISHLY AND PROFANELY CALL ON GOD TO SHOW US FRESH INDIVIDUAL SIGNS. VI. THAT WE SHOULD OFFER OF OUR BEST TO GOD. VII. THAT OUR EARTHLY OFFERINGS ARE CLEANSED BY THEIR CONSECRATION TO GOD'S SERVICE. VIII. THAT THE FIRST STEP IN RIGHTEOUSNESS IS TO PURIFY THE HEART FROM ITS FALSE IDOLS, AND THAT THE SECOND STEP IS TO SET UP IN IT AN ALTAR TO THE TRUE GOD. IX. THAT OUR EARLIEST EFFORTS TOWARDS GOODNESS WILT, PROBABLY MEET WITH OPPOSITION FROM OUR COMPANIONS. X. THAT WHEN WE ARE ATTACKED BY THE SCORNERS, HELP RISES OFTEN FROM THE MOST UNEXPECTED QUARTERS. XI. THAT RELIGION SHOULD NOT BE A HINDRANCE TO THE PERFORMANCE OF OUR DUTY, OR TO THE ENJOYMENT OF ANY INNOCENT PLEASURE, BUT AN INCENTIVE TO BOTH DUTY AND PLEASURE. XII. THAT THE FIRST RESULT OF AN ANGELIC VISITANT TO THE SOUL OF MAN, IN WHATEVER WAY THROUGH THE HOLY SPIRIT'S ACTION THAT VISITANT MAY COME, IS FEAR; THE SECOND RESULT IS PEACE; AND THE THIRD IS IMMORTALITY.(R. Young, M. A.) Parallel Verses KJV: And there came an angel of the LORD, and sat under an oak which was in Ophrah, that pertained unto Joash the Abiezrite: and his son Gideon threshed wheat by the winepress, to hide it from the Midianites. |
    |