The character of the Divine love inferred from its history.
I. ITS HISTORY
1. It was self-declared. A free, spontaneous promise on God's part. This revelation was itself a grace, as the actual sentiment of God toward Israel might have been concealed. By the circumstances of its declaration all doubt was removed, and it became a fundamental article of Jewish faith, and a factor of Jewish life and national development.
2. It existed from the very first. (Cf. Deuteronomy 4:37; Deuteronomy 10:15.) The dealings of God with Abraham, and with the children of Israel in Egypt, proved this. Anticipating the beginnings of spiritual life: "We love him, because he first loved us" (1 John 4:19; cf. Romans 4:9-12).
3. It was constant and unceasing. With this truth the Israelites were familiar. Too often they had presumed upon it. But the continued existence of such a little nation in the midst of its great neighbours was nothing less than a miracle of watchful, unceasing, Divine love.
4. The same favour is extended to the Babylonian exiles. It comes to them freely as it came to their ancestors. Through them the same purpose of love would work, and their misfortunes would be overruled for ultimate blessing.
II. ITS CHARACTER AS INFERRED FROM THIS. A love like this was as remarkable as it was vast, and had to be accounted for. A misunderstanding of its character had frequently involved the Jews in national crimes and disasters.
1. It was gracious and undeserved. There was nothing in the fathers to create such an affection; as little was there anything in themselves. And even if there had, the constancy of it throughout so many ages of idolatry and wickedness demonstrated that it could not be the reward of human desert.
2. It was merciful and righteous in its purpose. This it was which sanctified it and endued it with such moral power. A love of delight and complacency, independently of the character of those upon whom it was bestowed, would have been weak and reprehensible. But the enduring mercy of God, whilst it is a continual reproof to the impenitent, is full of encouragement and help to the weakest soul that truly seeks for righteousness. The misfortunes of Israel were as much the proofs of that love as the prosperity; the one consistent purpose of redemption stringing together the most diverse historic experiences. Did he choose Israel? it was that they "should be holy."—M.