Homilist Zephaniah 2:4-7 For Gaza shall be forsaken, and Ashkelon a desolation: they shall drive out Ashdod at the noon day, and Ekron shall be rooted up.… I. THE CALAMITIES FALLING UPON ONE SINNER OFTEN INVOLVE OTHERS. The ruin of the Hebrew nation would be most calamitous to the Philistine cities, and indeed to the neighbouring States. It is so — 1. With nations. 2. With individuals.This shows — (1) The social connection between man and man. No man can live unto himself. Each man is a link in the great chain of human life; and he cannot move without influencing others. Each man is a limb in the great human body; and if one suffers, all suffer. (2) The duty of man to look well after his own conduct. A sinner has no right to say he will do what he likes, and that no one has a right to interfere with him. II. THAT THE LOT OF MAN IS AT THE DISPOSAL OF ALMIGHTY GOD. "And the sea coast shall be dwellings and cottages for shepherds, and folds for flocks. And the coast shall be for the remnant of the house of Judah; they shall feed thereupon: in the houses of Ashkelon shall they lie down in the evening: for the Lord their God shall visit them, and turn away their captivity." Here the Almighty is represented as arranging the future home and circumstances of the remnant of the house of Judah. Though we are free, and are conscious of our freedom, we are at the disposal of One above us. He has appointed — 1. Our place in the world. He has set bounds to our habitation "that we cannot pass." 2. Our period in the world. "My times are in Thy hand." We are often tempted to imagine that chance rules us. But amidst all this feeling of con. tingency and over all there is the ruling plan of the Beneficent God. (Homilist.) Parallel Verses KJV: For Gaza shall be forsaken, and Ashkelon a desolation: they shall drive out Ashdod at the noon day, and Ekron shall be rooted up. |
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