Sketches of Four Hundred Sermons Jeremiah 17:5-8 Thus said the LORD; Cursed be the man that trusts in man, and makes flesh his arm, and whose heart departs from the LORD.… I. THE FOLLY AND EVIL OF TRUSTING IN MAN. To "trust in man," in the sense of our text, is to expect that from creatures which can only come from the Creator: to confide in them, not as mere instruments, but as efficient causes; to look to them so as to look off from God; to cleave to them so as to depart from Him. 1. Idolatrous in its principle. 2. Grovelling in its aim. It looks no higher than present good, and things altogether unworthy of an immortal spirit. 3. Unreasonable in its foundation. It supposes that man can do what God cannot. 4. Destructive in its issue. "He shall be like the heath in the desert," — worthless, sapless, fruitless; "he shall not see when good cometh," — shall not enjoy it; "but he shall inhabit the parched places," etc.He shall prosper in nothing. (1) The frustration of his projects and hopes. (2) The melancholy state of his soul. (3) The unhappy end of his career. II. THE WISDOM AND BENEFIT OF TRUSTING IN THE LORD. Jehovah is his hope. He seeks and expects his all from Him. To know, love, and enjoy Him, — behold his chief good, — the object of his hopes, — his highest and ultimate end. Now this conduct is the complete contrast of the other. 1. It is pious in its principles. 2. Elevated in its aim. 3. Rational in its foundation. 4. Glorious in its issue.Blessed is the man, etc. "For he shall be like a tree," etc. (1) The success of his enterprises. (2) The settled comfort and satisfaction of his soul. (3) The loveliness and dignity of his character. (4) The usefulness of his life. (5) His eternal felicity.Application — 1. It is a great mistake to suppose the rich and gay happy; the poor and pious miserable. 2. An entire renunciation of creature confidence, and an unreserved dependence on God, can alone secure the Divine favour and our own felicity. (Sketches of Four Hundred Sermons.) Parallel Verses KJV: Thus saith the LORD; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the LORD. |
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