The harvest of sin.
I. WE READ IN OTHER SCRIPTURES OF "THE JOY OF HARVEST." Such shall be the joy of God's redeemed people when his purposes of grace are fulfilled in and for them. It will be a joy unspeakably glorious.
II. BUT HERE WE HAVE PORTRAYED ANOTHER HARVEST—that of sin. Here there is no joy, but bitter lamentation and weeping and woe (Verse 29). We are shown:
1. The seed from which this harvest springs (Verse 30)—the doing evil in the sight of the Lord; setting their abominations in his house (Verse 30).
2. We see its growth—in open and unblushing idolatry; in the debasement of their nature. They had come to sacrifice their own children to their idol-god, to such horrible cruelty had they sunk down.
3. We see its hurry,
III. AND THOUGH DIFFERING IN OUTWARD CIRCUMSTANCE, YET IN SUBSTANCE AND REALITY THE SAME HARVEST WILL EVER SPRING FROM THE SAME SEED.
1. All evil-doing is such seed. And sheltering this under the cloak of religion,—this is the same seed.
2. And its growth will be in like manner. Progressive daring in sin; the debasement of our nature.
3. And its harvest will be seen,
CONCLUSION. Remember, "God is not mocked: whatsoever a man soweth," etc.—C.