Ephraim bemoaning himself; or, the penitent's restoration.
The exiled Israelites are represented as about to grieve over their apostasy, and to seek God in confession and prayer. The answer of God is full of mercy and encouragement. The Captivity is to be brought back, and the cities of Israel are to be again occupied.
I. THE STAGES AND PROCESSES OF TRUE REPENTANCE. (Jeremiah 31:18, Jeremiah 31:19.)
1. Conviction and acknowledgment of sin. The unbroken steer a forcible metaphor, but not stronger than the circumstances warrant. How stupid and heinous our offences seem when once we see them in God's light! It is sin that is bemoaned, not mere misfortune or pain; and the wrong done to the Divine character by our unbelief and misconception.
2. Prayer for conversion. The stubborn resister of God's commands is now consciously helpless to convert himself. He feels how necessary the power and grace of God to "turn" him.
3. The complete work of repentance is now accomplished. Sorrow for past sins and shame for inward depravity are felt as never before. With deeper knowledge of God's mercy and his own sin, the sinner attains to more intense sorrow and shame, "Smote upon my thigh' (cf. Ezekiel 21:12; Homer, 'Iliad,' 15:113: 16:124).
II. GOD'S ANSWER TO THE PENITENT. (Jeremiah 31:20, Jeremiah 31:21.) He prophesies this experience from afar; he represents himself as overhearing it. The first beginnings of grace in the heart, although invisible to human eyes, are noted by our heavenly Father.
1. Complacency, sympathy; and mercy are awakened in the Divine mind.
2. Encouragement is given. By promise of salvation, and by directions as to the way by which sinners are to return (Jeremiah 31:21).
3. God declares his own readiness to receive us. He will go forth like the father of the prodigal.—M.