Israel is a scattered sheep.
I. View God’s people, the spiritual Israel, as scattered sheep (Jeremiah 50:17).
1. They were sheep going astray. Scattered over the world.
2. Marked, noted, contemplated by the Divine eye, the Divine foreknowledge, the Divine purpose.
3. Found in different regions of the earth, yet advancing to one heavenly home--the better country.
II. View the people of the Most High, the spiritual Israel, as a forgiven people (Jeremiah 50:20).
1. Divine forgiveness.
2. A forgiveness dependent upon a Divine redemption.
3. A forgiveness is righteousness.
4. A complete forgiveness.
5. A forgiveness, and more than forgiveness. Inseparable from justification, acceptance in a righteousness of God, unto all and upon all them that believe.
6. A forgiveness never separate from sanctification.
III. View the chosen of the Most High, the spiritual Israel, as assailed and persecuted by lion-like foes (Jeremiah 50:17).
1. They who are effectually called, and set apart for God, are exposed at once to special enmities. All the enemies of Gospel truth, holiness, spirituality, godliness are their enemies.
2. The enemies of the spiritual Israel are formidable, but vincible.
3. The days of open persecution have emphatically illustrated the ferocity of anti-Christian persecution.
4. The foes of the spiritual Israel are vanquished foes. Christ hath already overcome them. They have all been vanquished in principle.
5. The spiritual Israel hath mighty resources engaged, mighty friendship and support pledged on its behalf. In Isaiah 31:1-9. Jehovah compares Himself to a lion in the succour and defence of His Zion (Isaiah 31:4).
IV. View the spiritual Israel as a reserved inheritance for Christ (verse 20).
1. Purchased and redeemed in order to be reserved.
2. Effectually called and regenerated in order to be reserved.
3. Separated from the world in order to be reserved.
4. Reserved, that the Saviour may take delight in them.
5. Reserved, as the gift of the Father to the Son.
6. Reserved to be witnesses for God and His Christ.
7. Reserved as first-fruits to God and to the Lamb.
8. Reserved to inherit exceeding riches of grace, and ultimate riches of glory.
V. View the people of the Most High, the spiritual Israel, as feeding in the pastures of grace under the “Great Shepherd of the sheep” (verse 19).
1. The Shepherd of this fold is mightier than all the devouring lions that can threaten His redeemed. He can curb them at His pleasure. The Shepherd of this fold is wiser than all the opponents of His Church. Neither might nor craft can defeat the purposes of His grace. (D. R. Morris.)
The iniquity of Israel shall be sought for, and there shall be none.--
Sin completely removed
I. Sin is completely removed, in that the guilt of it is all forgiven, and the punishment due to it entirely remitted.
II. Sin is completely removed, in that the sinner is perfectly restored to the love and favour of God.
III. Sin is completely removed, in that the pardoned sinner obtains a blessed restoration of character, state, and hope.
IV. The way in which so complete a pardon and restoration of guilty sinners is effected.
V. This complete forgiveness of sin is alone worthy of God, and sufficient for man.
VI. This complete forgiveness is necessary for us all, and ought to be most earnestly sought by us all. (Essex Remembrancer.)