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I. THE CONDUCT DESCRIBED.

1. Far from uncommon.

2. Exceedingly heinous.

3. Very ungrateful.

4. Highly inconsistent. How unlike Him whose name they bear!

5. Truly lamentable.

(1)  In itself.

(2)  In its influence upon others.

II. THE PUNISHMENT THREATENED.

1. Most righteous.

2. Absolutely certain.

(1)  His character requires it. He is a holy God.

(2)  His Word declares it (2 Chronicles 7:19-22).

(3)  The whole of His conduct confirms it. The history of the Jews is full of instances, written for our admonition.

3. The ways in which He corrects His children are characterized by great diversity

(1)  As to the means He employs.

(2)  As to the measure in which they are inflicted.

(3)  The period to which they extend.

III. THE MERCY PROCLAIMED. "Nevertheless, My loving-kindness will I not utterly take from him," etc. Two reasons are assigned.

1. His regard for the Son of His love. There is a change of person in this verse; it is not said "them," but "him." The claims of His Son, on the one hand, and the pleadings of His Son on the other, are the grounds why we are not altogether consumed.

2. His regard for the word of His truth. "Nor suffer My faithfulness to fail." Everything else may fail — the labour of the olive, the fruit of the vines, the herd in the stalls; but for His faithfulness to fail is impossible.

(Expository Outlines.)

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KJV: If his children forsake my law, and walk not in my judgments;

WEB: If his children forsake my law, and don't walk in my ordinances;