and refused to obey. They weren’t mindful of your wonders that you did among them, but hardened their neck, and in their rebellion appointed a captain to return to their bondage. But you are a God ready to pardon, gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abundant in loving kindness, and didn’t forsake them.
Parallel Translations
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and refused to obey. They weren’t mindful of your wonders that you did among them, but hardened their neck, and in their rebellion appointed a captain to return to their bondage. But you are a God ready to pardon, gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abundant in loving kindness, and didn’t forsake them.
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And refused to obey, neither were mindful of thy wonders that thou didst among them; but hardened their necks, and in their rebellion appointed a captain to return to their bondage: but thou art a God ready to pardon, gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and forsookest them not.
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and refused to hearken, neither were mindful of Thy wonders that Thou didst among them; but hardened their neck, and in their rebellion appointed a captain to return to their bondage; but Thou art a God ready to pardon, gracious and full of compassion, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy, and forsookest them not.
Cross-references (29)
Passages linked to Nehemiah 9:17 in the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge, ordered by reader-vote popularity; verse text shown in World English Bible.
- Psalms 86:5 For you, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive, abundant in loving kindness to all those who call on you.
- Joel 2:13 Tear your heart, and not your garments, and turn to Yahweh, your God; for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abundant in loving kindness, and relents from sending calamity.
- Psalms 86:15 But you, Lord, are a merciful and gracious God, slow to anger, and abundant in loving kindness and truth.
- Psalms 145:8-9 Yahweh is gracious, merciful, slow to anger, and of great loving kindness. Yahweh is good to all. His tender mercies are over all his works.
- Micah 7:18-19 Who is a God like you, who pardons iniquity, and passes over the disobedience of the remnant of his heritage? He doesn’t retain his anger forever, because he delights in loving kindness. He will again have compassion on us. He will tread our iniquities under foot; and you will cast all their sins into the depths of the sea.
- Exodus 34:6-7 Yahweh passed by before him, and proclaimed, “Yahweh! Yahweh, a merciful and gracious God, slow to anger, and abundant in loving kindness and truth, keeping loving kindness for thousands, forgiving iniquity and disobedience and sin; and who will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, and on the children’s children, on the third and on the fourth generation.”
- Numbers 14:18-19 ‘Yahweh is slow to anger, and abundant in loving kindness, forgiving iniquity and disobedience; and he will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, on the third and on the fourth generation.’ Please pardon the iniquity of this people according to the greatness of your loving kindness, and just as you have forgiven this people, from Egypt even until now.”
- 1 Kings 6:13 I will dwell among the children of Israel, and will not forsake my people Israel.”
- Psalms 78:38 But he, being merciful, forgave iniquity, and didn’t destroy them. Yes, many times he turned his anger away, and didn’t stir up all his wrath.
- Psalms 103:8-18 Yahweh is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abundant in loving kindness. He will not always accuse; neither will he stay angry forever. He has not dealt with us according to our sins, nor repaid us for our iniquities. For as the heavens are high above the earth, so great is his loving kindness toward those who fear him. As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us. Like a father has compassion on his children, so Yahweh has compassion on those who fear him. For he knows how we are made. He remembers that we are dust. As for man, his days are like grass. As a flower of the field, so he flourishes. For the wind passes over it, and it is gone. Its place remembers it no more. But Yahweh’s loving kindness is from everlasting to everlasting with those who fear him, his righteousness to children’s children, to those who keep his covenant, to those who remember to obey his precepts.
- Isaiah 55:7-9 Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts. Let him return to Yahweh, and he will have mercy on him, to our God, for he will freely pardon. “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, and your ways are not my ways,” says Yahweh. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.
- Matthew 16:9-11 Don’t you yet perceive, neither remember the five loaves for the five thousand, and how many baskets you took up? Nor the seven loaves for the four thousand, and how many baskets you took up? How is it that you don’t perceive that I didn’t speak to you concerning bread? But beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.”
- Romans 9:15 For he said to Moses, “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.”
- 1 Kings 8:57 May Yahweh our God be with us, as he was with our fathers. Let him not leave us or forsake us;
- Psalms 78:11 They forgot his doings, his wondrous deeds that he had shown them.
- Psalms 78:42-43 They didn’t remember his hand, nor the day when he redeemed them from the adversary; how he set his signs in Egypt, his wonders in the field of Zoan,
- Psalms 106:7 Our fathers didn’t understand your wonders in Egypt. They didn’t remember the multitude of your loving kindnesses, but were rebellious at the sea, even at the Red Sea.
- Psalms 106:43-46 He rescued them many times, but they were rebellious in their counsel, and were brought low in their iniquity. Nevertheless he regarded their distress, when he heard their cry. He remembered for them his covenant, and repented according to the multitude of his loving kindnesses. He made them also to be pitied by all those who carried them captive.
- Psalms 106:13 They soon forgot his works. They didn’t wait for his counsel,
- Ephesians 1:6-7 to the praise of the glory of his grace, by which he freely gave us favor in the Beloved, in whom we have our redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace,
- Numbers 14:3-4 Why does Yahweh bring us to this land, to fall by the sword? Our wives and our little ones will be captured or killed! Wouldn’t it be better for us to return into Egypt?” They said to one another, “Let’s choose a leader, and let’s return into Egypt.”
- Psalms 106:24-25 Yes, they despised the pleasant land. They didn’t believe his word, but murmured in their tents, and didn’t listen to Yahweh’s voice.
- Psalms 130:4 But there is forgiveness with you, therefore you are feared.
- Numbers 14:11 Yahweh said to Moses, “How long will this people despise me? and how long will they not believe in me, for all the signs which I have worked among them?
- Numbers 14:41 Moses said, “Why now do you disobey the commandment of Yahweh, since it shall not prosper?
- Numbers 16:14 Moreover you haven’t brought us into a land flowing with milk and honey, nor given us inheritance of fields and vineyards. Will you put out the eyes of these men? We won’t come up.”
- Proverbs 1:24 Because I have called, and you have refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no one has paid attention;
- Acts 7:39 to whom our fathers wouldn’t be obedient, but rejected him, and turned back in their hearts to Egypt,
- Hebrews 12:25 See that you don’t refuse him who speaks. For if they didn’t escape when they refused him who warned on the earth, how much more will we not escape who turn away from him who warns from heaven,
Cross-references from openbible.info (CC BY 4.0)
Explain this verse (12 sources)
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John Trapp 1656 · Public Domain Neh 9:17 And refused to obey, neither were mindful…
Neh 9:17 And refused to obey, neither were mindful of thy wonders that thou didst among them; but hardened their necks, and in their rebellion appointed a captain to return to their bondage: but thou [art] a God ready to pardon, gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and forsookest them not.
Ver. 17. And refused to obey] Heb. To hearken. They not only not hearkened, but refused to hear reasons why they should; as having made their conclusion, and being as good as ever they meant to be. This is to add rebellion to sin; this is that stubbornness that Ahaz is taxed of and branded for, 2Ch 28:25.
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Neither were mindful of thy wonders] These soon grew stale to them, as the Psalmist proves by their wicked practices, Psa 106:13. And truly who that looketh upon our lives would ever think that God had done any wonders for us of this nation, either by sea or land, either against fireworks or water works formerly; or against a viperous brood among ourselves, here of late?
And in their rebellion appointed a captain] They once talked (in their mad mood) of doing such a thing, and therefore they are here said to have done it, Num 14:4; like as Jos 24:9, it is said that Balak arose and fought with Israel; and yet the story saith no such matter. But if he did not, yet because he thought and talked of such a matter, it was a done thing before the Lord!
But thou art a God ready to pardon] Heb. A God of pardons. One that hast set up a pardon office; where pardons for penitents lie ready sealed, that the sinner may not be to seek, that he may not perish in his sins while the plaster is in providing. It is our comfort that we have to do with a forgiving, sin-pardoning God, that doth it naturally, Exo 34:6, plentifully, Isa 55:7, constantly, Psa 130:4. This should be as a perpetual picture in our hearts.
Gracious] Doing all for us gratis, et ex mero motu, out of his free and unexcited love.
And merciful] All-heart; whereby he is inclined to succour them that are in misery, notwithstanding their sins. See his non obstante , Psa 106:8.
Longsuffering] Heb. Long of anger, that is, long ere he will be angry; not hasty of spirit, as Pro 14:17; Pro 14:29, but wondrous patient, amidst a world of provocations.
And of great kindness] Of exceeding propensity to communicate good. The Hebrew word signifies a large quantity either continued (that is, magnitude or greatness), Psa 48:2, or discrete (that is, multitude), Psa 2:1-2.
And forsookest them not] That is, not utterly, as David prayeth, Psa 119:8, and after him Solomon, 1Ki 8:57. When God forsaketh a people or person, woe be to them, Hos 9:12. What a terrible text is that, Eze 22:20, "I will gather you in mine anger, and my fury, and I will leave you there!" and that other, Jer 16:13, "I will cast you out of this land into a land that ye know not … where I will not show you favour!" This last was worse than all the rest. This the prophet well knew, and therefore cried out, Lord, leave us not, Jer 17:17.
Extingui lucem ne patiare tuam.
Or if thou desert us for a time, yet do not disinherit us for ever. If thy dereliction of us be penal, yet let it not be perpetual (Mos. Gerundin).
John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Matthew Poole 1685 · Public Domain Refused to obey; persisted in their disobedience after many…
Refused to obey; persisted in their disobedience after many admonitions, and invitations to repentance.
Appointed a captain, i.e. designed, purposed, and resolved to do so, Num 14:4, and therefore they are said to do so, as Abraham is said to have offered up Isaac, Heb 11:17, because he intended and attempted to do it.
Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible (1683–1685) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
John Gill 1763 · Public Domain And refused to obey,.... Though exhorted, admonished, and threatened,…
And refused to obey,.... Though exhorted, admonished, and threatened, such was their obstinacy:
neither were mindful of thy wonders that thou didst among them; in delivering them at the Red sea, in raining manna about them, and giving them water out of the rock:
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but hardened their necks; see the preceding verse:
and in their rebellion appointed a captain to return to their bondage; they not only proposed it, but determined upon it, which is reckoned the same as if they had done it, see Num 14:4,
but thou art a God ready to pardon, gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness; as he had proclaimed his name before Moses, and as the whole of his conduct towards the people of Israel abundantly shewed, see Exo 34:6
and forsookest them not; when in the wilderness, where otherwise they must have perished, but still fed and protected them, notwithstanding their provocations.
John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
John Wesley 1765 · Public Domain Made - Designed, and resolved to do so, Num.…
Made - Designed, and resolved to do so, Num. xiv, 4, and therefore they are said to do so, as Abraham is said to have offered up Isaac, Heb. xi, 17, because he intended to do it.
John Wesley, Explanatory Notes Upon the Whole Bible (1754–1765) — public domain. Text via the GEBible commentary corpus.
Adam Clarke 1810 · Public Domain Verse 17. And in their rebellion appointed a captain]…
Verse 17. And in their rebellion appointed a captain] This clause, read according to its order in the Hebrew text, is thus: And appointed a captain to return to their bondage in their rebellion. But it is probable that במרים bemiryam, in their rebellion, is a mistake for במצרים bemitsrayim, in Egypt. This is the reading of seven of Kennicott's and De Rossi's MSS., the Neapolitan edition of the Hagiographa, and the Septuagint. It is also the reading in Nu 14:4. The clause should undoubtedly be read, They appointed a captain to return to their bondage in EGYPT.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible (1810–1826) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Albert Barnes 1834 · Public Domain In their rebellion - The Septuagint and several maunscripts…
In their rebellion - The Septuagint and several maunscripts have “in Egypt” (the words in the original differing by one letter only), and translate - “And appointed a captain to return to their bondage in Egypt.” Compare the margin reference. The appointment of a leader is regarded here as made, whereas we are only told in the Book of Numbers that it was proposed.
Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible (1834–1885) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary 1859 · Public Domain Their head. Or appointed a leader instead of Moses,…
Their head. Or appointed a leader instead of Moses, (Numbers xiv. 4.; Menochius) or an idol, Exodus xxxii. 1. Septuagint, "they gave a beginning, or a chief to return." Syriac, "their heart returned to their crimes." (Calmet) --- Protestants, "and tin their rebellion appointed a captain to," &c. They turned their back upon the promised land, and set their faces to return into Egypt. (Haydock) --- Sinners are not deprived of free-will. (Worthington)
George Leo Haydock (1774–1849), Haydock's Catholic Family Bible and Commentary, 1859 edition — public domain. Excludes Psalms (Douay-Rheims chapter numbering differs from Protestant) and Deuterocanonical books (Catholic canon only).
Daniel D. Whedon 1874 · Public Domain 17. Appointed a captain — According to Num_14:4 the…
17. Appointed a captain — According to Num_14:4 the Israelites only proposed among themselves to appoint a captain, but it is quite probable that they also carried their rebellion so far as actually to nominate a new leader.
Daniel D. Whedon (gen. ed.), Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1874–1909) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges 1878 · Public Domain 17. in their rebellion appointed a captain, &c.] Based…
17. in their rebellion appointed a captain, &c.] Based on Num_14:4, and perhaps representing a tradition that the words ‘And they said one to another, Let us make a captain, and let us return into Egypt’ were partially carried into effect.
The R.V. marg. runs, ‘The Sept. has, And appointed a captain to return to their bondage in Egypt.’ See Num_14:4. The Sept. (ἐν Αἰγύπτῳ) read b’mizraim for b’miryam. Another proposed rendering instead of ‘appointed a captain’ is ‘turned their attention,’ or ‘directed their thoughts,’ literally ‘set their head.’
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a God ready to pardon] R.V. marg. ‘Heb. a God of forgivenesses’. The word for ‘forgivenesses’ is found only in Dan_9:9; Psa_130:4.
merciful] R.V. full of compassion.
and of great kindness] R.V. plenteous in mercy.
For these descriptive epithets of Divine mercy cf. Neh_9:31; Exo_33:19; Exo_34:6-7; Psa_86:15; Psa_103:8; Psa_111:4; Psa_145:8; 2Ch_30:9; Joe_2:13; Jon_4:2; Nah_1:3.
forsookest them not] Cf. Neh_9:31; Ezr_9:9.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers 1878 · Public Domain (17) In their rebellion.—Rather, appointed a captain to return…
(17) In their rebellion.—Rather, appointed a captain to return to their bondage in Egypt. This is the reading of some MSS., followed by the Septuagint, and is in harmony with Num_14:4, though there the appointment is only proposed.
A God ready to pardon.—A God of pardons; only in Dan_9:9 and Psa_130:4.
A Bible Commentary for English Readers, edited by Charles John Ellicott (1878–1897) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Pulpit Commentary 1880 · Public Domain In their rebellion. Several MSS. have bMitzraim for bMiryam,…
In their rebellion. Several MSS. have bMitzraim for bMiryam, which would give the sense "appointed a captain to return to their bondage in Egypt." So the Septuagint. Appointed a captain. The reference is to Num_14:4, where we are told that the Israelites "said one to another, Let us make a captain, and let us return into Egypt." The Levites speak as if the appointment had been made, perhaps regarding the intention as morally equivalent to the act. A God ready to pardon. Literally, "a God of pardons." The word used is a rare one, occurring only in Dan_9:9 and Psa_130:4, besides the present passage. Gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness . This is quoted from Joe_2:13, which is perhaps a conscious reproduction of Jon_4:2.
The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Biblical Illustrator 1887 · Public Domain But Thou art a God ready to pardon, gracious…
Neh_9:17
But Thou art a God ready to pardon, gracious and merciful.
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Divine forgiveness
I. What is necessary to render the subject interesting.
1. A conviction of guilt.
2. An apprehension of our danger as transgressors.
3. A discovery of the privileges of a pardoned state.
II. The proofs which establish the truth of the doctrine.
1. The provision He has made for the exercise of pardon.
2. The promptitude with which He pardons on our return,
3. His earnestness to excite us to seek after the blessing.
4. The character of those who have received pardon.
5. The number of those who obtain forgiveness.
III. The way in which this subject may be abused.
1. When it leads us to deny any disposition in God to punish.
2. When it encourages us to hope for pardon in ways not warranted by the Word of God.
(1) Without a reference to the work of Christ.
(2) Without repentance.
(3) By delaying an application for it to the close of life.
(4) By expecting to find this pardon in another world if we fail to obtain it in this.
IV. Improvment.
1. It should yield encouragement to the brokenhearted.
2. It should afford consolation to those who have believed through grace.
3. The subject demands our admiration and praise.
4. It also calls upon us not only to admire, but to imitate (Eph_4:31-32; Eph_5:1). (W. Jay.)
Pardon of sin
I. The certainty of this readiness to pardon. This may be discerned--
1. In the plans which He devised for its bestowment consistent with His honour as a sovereign, and compatible with His character as a just and moral Ruler.
2. In the repeated assurances and urgent entreaties with regard to the facts which are furnished in His Word.
3. In the efforts He makes to effect it, and so frequently recorded in the pages of history.
II. The conditions of this readiness to pardon.
1. A vivid apprehension of personal guilt.
2. A full consciousness of personal danger.
3. Repentance and faith. (W. S. Edwards.)
The pardon of sin
No attribute of the Deity is so calculated to afford encouragement and relief to the distressed and penitent sinner as that of His mercy. His justice and holiness make him tremble. The Divine mercy is the only fountain from which all our hope is derived. If God were unmerciful--if He were unable and unwilling to forgive, how awful and desperate would be our condition!
I. Some of the distinguishing characteristics of divine pardon. Respecting this blessing, we observe that it is--
1. Gratuitous in its bestowment. Had it not been perfectly free, it would be for ever beyond our reach. As fallen man is altogether destitute of all inherent and acquired righteousness, he can never obtain it on the ground of his own merit. Conscious of his utter unworthiness, and that he was destitute of all merit, the psalmist cried, For Thy names sake, pardon mine iniquity, for it is great. In the forgiveness of sin, God acts like the creditor towards his two debtors; one owes him five hundred pence, and the other fifty; and when they had nothing to pay, he frankly (freely) forgave them both. It is true that there are certain duties which must be discharged by the sinner; he must repent and believe; but these acts can never merit forgiveness. The pardon of the penitent flows from the free and sovereign grace of God, and is conveyed through the channel of the Redeemers atoning blood.
2. Unlimited in its extent. The pardoning mercy of God is not confined to any degrees of guilt or amount of transgression. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits; who forgiveth all thine iniquities, who healeth all thy diseases. The pardoning mercy of God extends to the most flagrant transgressions, and transcends all human conception. There is no sin so heinous which God cannot forgive, and no guilt of so deep a hue which He cannot remove.
3. Permanent in its enjoyment.
II. Prove the truth of the declaration. Gods readiness to pardon is manifest--
1. From the provisions made for this purpose. Before sinners could be pardoned and saved, there were certain barriers that must be removed. As God was the supreme Lawgiver and Judge of the world--the Protector of righteousness and goodness--it became Him not to pardon the guilty without the punishing of sin, and that in such a manner as would satisfy His injured justice, and vindicate the honour of His despised law, and at the same time declare His greatest hatred to sin. Had there been no Mediator, the justice and holiness of God would have stood as everlasting obstructions to the exercise of pardoning mercy.
2. The express declarations of Scripture. Listen to the exulting and triumphant language of the prophet Micah: Who is a God like unto our God, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of His heritage? He retaineth not His anger for ever, because He delighteth in mercy. See how earnestly does God exhort the careless and impenitent, saying, Turn ye, turn ye from your evil way, for why will ye die, O house of Israel? How shall I give thee up, O Ephraim? How shall I deliver thee, O Israel? How shall I make thee as Admah? How shall I set thee as Zeboim? Observe the grand commission of the apostles, that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name, among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.
3. Recorded facts. This glorious truth is not only declared by the voice of inspiration, but also by the loud and impressive testimony of experience. What multitudes have already obtained forgiveness! The Scriptures abound with the most astonishing and striking instances of this delightful truth. But if we look into the New Testament, we shall see this truth shining forth with greater lustre still. The first instance that strikes us here is Peter. How great and dreadful were his sins! He denied his Divine Lord and Master, and that with oaths and curses; and yet repenting, he was forgiven. In the same list we behold Mary Magdalene, out of whom seven unclean spirits were cast. (Essex Congregational Remembrancer.)
Pardoning mercy
These words--
I. Prefer an important charge. And refused to obey, etc. Though this charge was primarily brought against the Jews, it is substantially applicable to all impenitent sinners. Here is--
1. A charge of obstinate disobedience. We are guilty of the same charge. We are under infinite obligations to the Divine Being. He is the Creator, Sovereign, Benefactor, Redeemer, Saviour, and Judge of mankind.
2. A charge of criminal forgetfulness. Neither were mindful of Thy wonders, (Psa_78:10-17; Psa_106:21-26). God has crowned each of us with loving-kindness and tender mercies, and wrought wonders in our creation, preservation, redemption, and salvation. We have too often unfaithfully forgotten His innumerable benefits, and ungratefully murmured against His kind dispensations (Isa_1:2-3).
3. A charge of hardened impenitence. But hardened their necks,. etc. This is an awful state (Pro_29:1; Rom_2:5-6; Heb_3:15).
II. Contain a gracious declaration. Thou art a God ready to pardon. This is manifest from--
1. The perfections of the Divine character.
2. The glorious scheme of human redemption (Isa_53:5-6; Rom_3:25-26; 2Co_5:18; 2Co_5:21).
3. The testimonies and promises of Scripture.
III. Suggest appropriate instruction. (Sketches of Four Hundred Sermons.)
A God ready to pardon
I. The history of israel singularly illustrates the readiness of God to pardon.
II. It is equally true that the lord at all times is a God ready to pardon.
1. It is true of Him by nature. Mercy is an essential attribute of God.
2. He Himself removed the impediment which lay in the way of forgiveness.
3. He sends His message of love to sinners while they are yet in their sins.
4. He makes no hard conditions with sinners.
5. What He demands of man by the gospel He also works in Him by His Spirit.
6. He accepts even the very lowest grade of the necessary graces. Repentance, etc. (C. H. Spurgeon.)
A pardoning God
I. The nature of this pardon. It is--
1. Free. Pardon must be so. It is no objection to say that Christ has purchased it. True, He has purchased, but it is free in its bestowment on us, because we could not merit it, nor claim it as a right.
2. Complete. Do not mean that it refers to the future. Some say when once pardoned all done. Not so Scriptures. Complete because it refers to all; complete because it is full.
3. Present. Some say not until death. Not so Scriptures.
4. Righteous. Be it known unto you, therefore, men and brethren, etc. Righteous because bestowed on righteous principles; because of Christs atonement.
5. Discriminating. If Christ died for all, how is it that all are not pardoned? Remedy only available for those who apply for it. Hence--
II. The conditions. Scriptures teach us duty of forgiveness if offender repents and asks. So with God our confession must be--
1. Frank. He that covereth his sins shall not prosper, but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.
2. Penitent. The sacrifice, etc. Many frankly confess, but not penitently. True penitence seen in the publican.
3. Believing.
III. Evidence that God is ready to pardon.
1. From scheme of redemption. Love in scheme, end of scheme; and if pardon not dispensed, end defeated.
2. From His relation to the Saviour. As Father He could not furnish a greater guarantee.
3. From means He employs to bring to Him. Sends Spirit--Providence--Word. Characterised by love.
4. From receptions others have met with. Manasseh--dying thief--Saul. Shown in Prodigal.
Lessons:
1. Subject does not imply God will not punish.
2. Subject shows only way of deliverance, and that way to be taken now. (E. R. Derry.)
The joy of pardon
A man named John Welsh lay in prison in Chicago under sentence of death. His friends tried to get his sentence commuted to imprisonment for life. The day before that fixed for the execution arrived without any favourable reply being received. The prisoner sat in his cell listening and longing earnestly for a respite. Presently he heard the rumbling of the wheels of a car. It brought the materials for his scaffold, and soon he heard the strokes of the hammers, and pictured himself hanging on the scaffold which he could hear them raising. The sound almost drove him frantic, and he sent for the governor, and begged that he might be taken away anywhere from that dreadful noise. He was taken to a distant cell, and there he sat on the edge of his bed, haunted with gloomy thoughts, all hope gone. He was startled from his rom, erie by a hurried step along the corridor. The key was thrust into the lock, and one of the officers of the prison stood before him. He held a paper in his hand signed by the Governor of the State of Illinois. It was a commutation of his sentence . . . How the truth burst on his mind! When the paper was handed to him he could not read it for tears; but it was a paper bringing him his life, and he hugged it, and clasped it, and kissed it. (H. W. Taylor.)
The Biblical Illustrator, edited by Joseph S. Exell (c. 1880s–1900s) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.