Jeremiah 3:1-5 They say, If a man put away his wife, and she go from him, and become another man's, shall he return to her again?… We have here a wonderful display of God's character: forbearance, pity, and love. I. WHAT IS INFERRED. A departure from God. 1. The life of an ungodly man is one long departure from God. Every step he takes leads him farther away. 2. What departures we find even in the holiest and best! Secret neglects. Seductions in daily avocations and companions. Tampering with sin. II. WHAT IS DECLARED. A returning to God as a promising God, as a forgiving God, as our God and Father in Christ Jesus, in real humiliation of spirit before Him; for "whoso confesseth and forsaketh his sins shall have mercy." Observe, the return is not a mere turning away from sin; it is finding the way back again to God. The very fruit and work of the blessed Spirit. III. WHAT IS DISPLAYED. Touching tenderness. 1. God Himself speaks. 2. He points to the Cross. (J. H. Evans, M. A.) Parallel Verses KJV: They say, If a man put away his wife, and she go from him, and become another man's, shall he return unto her again? shall not that land be greatly polluted? but thou hast played the harlot with many lovers; yet return again to me, saith the LORD. |
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