But this people hath a revolting and a rebellious heart; they are revolted and gone.
Israel’s apostasy
Our state of heart and mind toward God is shown, not by those emotions which are kindled in us on receiving any extraordinary mercy, nor by what we do under the influence of those emotions, but by the habitual condition of our hearts and minds toward God as concerned in His everyday gifts and our everyday doings.
I. The accusation made.
I. God complains of revolt and rebellion against Him. The only rightful ruler over all: whose power is absolute and independent, whose wisdom is unerring, whose justice perfect, and whose goodness infinite: whose “statutes are” all “right,” rejoicing the right-hearted, whose commandment is all pure, enlightening the eye that is single.
2. And what thought was it in their hearts, which God construed as rebellion against Him? It took in Israel’s heart the simple and familiar form of mere unthankfulness to God for “common mercies.”
II. The proof of their rebellion and revolt.
1. They did not in the gift of a good harvest discern God at all.
2. If, as I feel too much afraid it is, this part of the proof of a rebellious heart be in us, of necessity the other part will not be wanting: and as God saith in the text of His people of old, “Neither say they in their hearts, Let us now fear the Lord our God,” so neither shall we say the same. The goodness of God is meant to lead men to repentance. (F. C. Clark, B. A.)
Sin is revolt and rebellion against Christ-our King
One day, over in Australia, at Maryboro’, an unusually fine-looking man came in and said, “I want to talk with you. I don’t know about your preaching. I am a moral, upright man, and nobody can deny it. I should like you to tell me what you have got against me.” I said, “Are you a Christian? No, sir.” “Well, then, I charge you with high treason against your King. God made Him so, and I charge you”--and I looked him right in the eye--“with the crime of high treason against your King.” An awful cloud came over the man’s face. He got up and walked out of the room. Months passed away. We had been over to Tasmania, and got back to Australia, and were preaching at Ballarat, about forty miles, I think, from Maryboro’. At the close of one of my meetings, a fine-looking man came and said, “Do you remember me?” I replied, “I have seen you somewhere but 1 cannot trace you.” “Do you remember charging a man with high treason?” I said, “I have charged many a man with high treason.” He said, “Do you remember charging a specific man?” and he narrated the circumstances. “Yes,” I said, “I do.” He replied, “I am the man. You will never charge me with it again.” He held out his hand and I held out mine. He took me in his mighty grip, and dropped on his knees and I on mine. He looked up and said, “Lord Jesus, I hand in my allegiance; I give up my treason and take Thee as my King.” You men ought to do it tonight. (A. Torrey.)