Those who would make their future different from the past must cultivate two things; first, the spirit of inquiry; secondly, a spirit of determination.
I. Like these Israelites for the words are written figuratively we have been going "from mountain to hill," that is, from one form of idol worship to another, till we have forgotten our resting-place. There is but one resting-place for the creature, and that is the love of God revealed in Jesus Christ, apprehended by the soul, fled to, clung to, trusted. They who would find rest must find it in God. There is always something beautiful in the spirit of inquiry. The very face of the inquirer shines. That kindling of the eye as a man listens the man who has a thirst for knowledge the man whose soul is set on finding its way into some new region of science, or into some new joy, is a touching sight to the looker-on; and it is an inspiring influence to the teacher who feels that he has a message. Of all inquiries the way to Zion is. first and foremost. Whatever form inquiry takes, this is its meaning. Even intellectual inquiry is often either the escape from, or a substitute for, this. We all believe in a hereafter in a heaven; the way to it is our question.
II. But it is not immaterial to find it added, that they who ask the way to Zion must also have their faces thitherward. The spirit of inquiry must be also the spirit of resolution and determination. For there is an inquiry about the way which is all speculation. There may even be a questioning about the way to Zion with the back turned upon it, instead of the face. There once was a rich young man who said to Jesus Christ: "What shall I do to inherit eternal life?" but when the terrible words came, "Go and sell.... come and follow," then he went away sorrowful. There was inquiry, but there was no determination. He asked the way to Zion, but his face was not thitherward.
C. J. Vaughan, Christian World Pulpit,vol. xiii., p. 17.
References: Jeremiah 50:5. Preacher's Lantern,vol. i., p. 258. Jeremiah 50:23. E. P. Hood, Christian World Pulpit,vol. xix., p. 193.