Destruction of Jerusalem
17
had resisted Heaven’s grace, abused their privileges, and slighted their
opportunities.
Although Israel had “mocked the messengers of God, and despised
his words, and misused his prophets,” [
2 Chronicles 36:15, 16
.] he had
still manifested himself to them, as “the Lord God, merciful and gra-
cious, long-suffering, and abundant in goodness and truth;” [
Exodus
34:6
.] notwithstanding repeated rejections, his mercy had continued
its pleadings. With more than a father’s pitying love for the son of
his care, God had “sent to them by his messengers, rising up betimes,
and sending; because he had compassion on his people, and on his
dwelling-place.” [
2 Chronicles 36:15, 16
.] When remonstrance, en-
treaty, and rebuke had failed, he sent to them the best gift of Heaven;
nay, he poured out all Heaven in that one gift.
[20]
The Son of God himself was sent to plead with the impenitent city.
It was Christ that had brought Israel as a goodly vine out of Egypt.
[
Psalm 80:8
.] His own hand had cast out the heathen before it. He
had planted it “in a very fruitful hill.” [
Isaiah 5:1-4
.] His guardian care
had hedged it about. His servants had been sent to nurture it. “What
could have been done more to my vineyard,” he exclaims, “that I have
not done in it?” [
Isaiah 5:1-4
.] Though when he “looked that it should
bring forth grapes, it brought forth wild grapes,” [
Isaiah 5:1-4
.] yet
with a still yearning hope of fruitfulness he came in person to his
vineyard, if haply it might be saved from destruction. He digged about
his vine; he pruned and cherished it. He was unwearied in his efforts
to save this vine of his own planting.
For three years the Lord of light and glory had gone in and out
among his people. “He went about doing good,” “healing all that
were oppressed of the devil,” [
Acts 10:38
;
Luke 4:18
;
Matthew 11:5
.]
binding up the broken-hearted, setting at liberty them that were bound,
restoring sight to the blind, causing the lame to walk and deaf to hear,
cleansing the lepers, raising the dead, and preaching the gospel to the
poor. [
Acts 10:38
;
Luke 4:18
;
Matthew 11:5
.] To all classes alike was
addressed the gracious call, “Come unto me, all ye that labor and are
heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.” [
Matthew 11:28
.]
Though rewarded with evil for good, and hatred for his love, [
Psalm
109:5
.] he had steadfastly pursued his mission of mercy. Never were
those repelled that sought his grace. A homeless wanderer, reproach
and penury his daily lot, he lived to minister to the needs and lighten