Exodus 3:7 And the LORD said, I have surely seen the affliction of my people which are in Egypt… It is wonderful what a provision is made by Deity for human "sorrow." The First Blessed Person in the Trinity is as a Father. A loving Father; a Father, too, most when He chastens most. And the Second is co-equal. A Brother. "A Man of sorrows," who is "acquainted with our griefs." And the Third, co-equal still, is a Comforter. "Father" — "Brother" — "Comforter." What eloquence does it give to the Voice of the wilderness, "I know their sorrows." We should lay great stress on the "I." It is a conclusive I. No one can say that "I" as He says it, — not father, or mother, or dearest friend. It is "I" — alone in the universe — "know your sorrows." I who made the "sorrows"; I who made you; I who can balance the burden and the strength; I to whom all ears are open and all secrets disclosed. But there are sorrows and sorrows. There are selfish "sorrows," which cannot bear to be seen in happiness, and rather like to make others sad. There are "sorrows" of sheer formality, which come and go with the seasons. There are "sorrows" of mere vexations and mortified pride, which come for any little thing. There are morbid "sorrows," which mope about in solitude. There are defiant "sorrows," which put away all sympathy, and refuse to be comforted. There are idle "sorrows," which lead to no action; barren because there is no root. And there are sorrows which have an actual sin, and sin lives in that "sorrow." And there are "sorrows" which call themselves contrite, but have no penitence; they are merely nature's fears. And there are hardened "sorrows," putting away God, grieving the Holy Ghost, and working death! And God "knows" these sorrows, and His eye detects them in a moment — all their hollowness and all their hypocrisy. (J. Vaughan, M. A.) Parallel Verses KJV: And the LORD said, I have surely seen the affliction of my people which are in Egypt, and have heard their cry by reason of their taskmasters; for I know their sorrows; |
    |