1. The Destruction Of Jerusalem. 17
manifested Himself to them, as“ the Lord God, merciful and gracious, long-suffering, and abundant in goodness and truth;” 11 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.” 12 When remonstrance, entreaty, and rebuke had failed, He sent to them the best gift of heaven; nay, He poured out all heaven in that one Gift.
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. 13 His own hand had cast out the heathen before it. He [ 020 ] had planted it“ in a very fruitful hill.” 14 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?” 15 Though when He“ looked that it should bring forth grapes, it brought forth wild grapes,” 16 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, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil,” 17 binding up the broken-hearted, setting at liberty them that were bound, restoring sight to the blind, causing the lame to walk and the deaf to hear, cleansing the lepers, raising the dead, and preaching the gospel to the poor. To all classes alike was addressed the gracious call,“ Come unto
11 Ex. 34:6. 12 Ibid. 13 Ps. 80:8. 14 Isa. 5:1-4. 15 Ibid. 16 Ibid. 17 Acts 10:38; Luke 4:18; Matt. 11:5.