Hebrews 8:10-12 For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, said the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind… I. This relation of redeemed sinners to their GOD. "They shall be to Me a people." 1. His people owning God as theirs. (1) They yield themselves to His authority. (2) They separate themselves from an evil world. (3) They devote themselves to His services. (4) They live on Him for protection and happiness. 2. God owning them as His people. Consider the terms of endearment under which He speaks of them. He calls them His children; the sheep of His pasture, for whom the Shepherd bled. Such is the preciousness of His purchased people in His eyes. (1) How infatuated are the enemies of God's people! How great is the folly (to say nothing of the wickedness) of hating those whom God loves! (2) How glorious is the character, how exalted the privileges, of the saints! II. God's own engagement to establish this RELATION BETWEEN US AND HIM. "They shall be to Me a people." These words clearly express a resolve of God in this matter. He Has so ordered the covenant of grace, that it is a sure covenant to all who have once embraced it. "They shall be to Me a people." His word is passed for the effectual accomplishment of His grace; and, therefore, His own Divine character and glory are involved in it. If God be able to do what He has resolved to do, this relation cannot fail to be made good between Him and them. This doctrine is a precious cordial for the fainting soldier in the day of battle. It strengthens his weak hands; confirms his feeble knees; animates him under all the terribleness of conflict. (Francis Goode, M. A.) Parallel Verses KJV: For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people: |
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