OT-POET.filter - mhcc Surety:

mhcc@Job:14:1-6 @ Verse 1-6 - Job enlarges upon the condition of man, addressing himself also to God. Every man of Adam's fallen race is short-lived. All his show of beauty, happiness, and splendour falls before the stroke of sickness or death, as the flower before the scythe; or passes away like the shadow. How is it possible for a man's conduct to be sinless, when his heart is by nature unclean? Here is a clear proof that Job understood and believed the doctrine of original sin. He seems to have intended it as a plea, why the Lord should not deal with him according to his own works, but according to His mercy and grace. It is determined, in the counsel and decree of God, how long we shall live. Our times are in his hands, the powers of nature act under him; in him we live and move. And it is very useful to reflect seriously on the shortness and uncertainty of human life, and the fading nature of all earthly enjoyments. But it is still more important to look at the cause, and remedy of these evils. Until we are born of the Spirit, no spiritually good thing dwells in us, or can proceed from us. Even the little good in the regenerate is defiled with sin. We should therefore humble ourselves before God, and cast ourselves wholly on the mercy of God, through our Divine Surety. We should daily seek the renewing of the Holy Ghost, and look to heaven as the only place of perfect holiness and happiness.

mhcc@Job:24:18-25 @ Verse 18-25 - Sometimes how gradual is the decay, how quiet the departure of a wicked person, how is he honoured, and how soon are all his cruelties and oppressions forgotten! They are taken off with other men, as the harvestman gathers the ears of corn as they come to hand. There will often appear much to resemble the wrong view of Providence Job takes in this chapter. But we are taught by the word of inspiration, that these notions are formed in ignorance, from partial views. The providence of God, in the affairs of men, is in every thing a just and wise providence. Let us apply this whenever the Lord may try us. He cannot do wrong. The unequalled sorrows of the Son of God when on earth, unless looked at in this view, perplex the mind. But when we behold him, as the sinner's Surety, bearing the curse, we can explain why he should endure that wrath which was due to sin, that Divine justice might be satisfied, and his people saved. **** Matthew Henry's Commentary ****

mhcc@Psalms:35:17-28 @ Verse 17-28 - Though the people of God are, and study to be, quiet, yet it has been common for their enemies to devise deceitful matters against them. David prays, My soul is in danger, Lord, rescue it; it belongs to thee the Father of spirits, therefore claim thine own; it is thine, save it! Lord, be not far from me, as if I were a stranger. He who exalted the once suffering Redeemer, will appear for all his people: the roaring lion shall not destroy their souls, any more than he could that of Christ, their Surety. They trust their souls in his hands, they are one with him by faith, are precious in his sight, and shall be rescued from destruction, that they may give thanks in heaven. **** Matthew Henry's Commentary ****

mhcc@Psalms:65:1-5 @ Verse 1-5 - All the praise the Lord receives from this earth is from Zion, being the fruit of the Spirit of Christ, and acceptable through him. Praise is silent unto thee, as wanting words to express the great goodness of God. He reveals himself upon a mercy-seat, ready to hear and answer the prayers of all who come unto him by faith in Jesus Christ. Our sins prevail against us; we cannot pretend to balance them with any righteousness of our own: yet, as for our transgressions, of thine own free mercy, and for the sake of a righteousness of thine own providing, we shall not come into condemnation for them. Observe what it is to come into communion with God in order to blessedness. It is to converse with him as one we love and value; it is to apply ourselves closely to religion as to the business of our dwelling-place. Observe how we come into communion with God; only by God's free choice. There is abundance of goodness in God's house, and what is satisfying to the soul; there is enough for all, enough for each: it is always ready; and all without money and without price. By faith and prayer we may keep up communion with God, and bring in comfort from him, wherever we are. But it is only through that blessed One, who approaches the Father as our Advocate and Surety, that sinners may expect or can find this happiness.

mhcc@Psalms:119:121-128 @ Verse 121-128 - Happy is the man, who, acting upon gospel principles, does justice to all around. Christ our Surety, having paid our debt and ransom, secures all the blessings of salvation to every true believer. The psalmist expects the word of God's righteousness, and no other salvation than what is secured by that word, which cannot fall to the ground. We deserve no favour form God; we are most easy when we cast ourselves upon God's mercy, and refer ourselves to it. If any man resolve to do God's will as his servant, he shall be made to know his testimonies. We must do what we can for the support of religion, and, after all, must beg of God to take the work into his own hands. It is hypocrisy to say we love God's commandments more than our worldly interests. The way of sin is a false way, being directly contrary to God's precepts, which are right: those that love and esteem God's law, hate sin, and will not be reconciled to it.

mhcc@Proverbs:6:1-5 @ Verse 1-5 - If we live as directed by the word of God, we shall find it profitable even in this present world. We are stewards of our worldly substance, and have to answer to the Lord for our disposal of it; to waste it in rash schemes, or such plans as may entangle us in difficulties and temptations, is wrong. A man ought never to be surety for more than he is able and willing to pay, and can afford to pay, without wronging his family; he ought to look upon every sum he is engaged for, as his own debt. If we must take all this care to get our debts to men forgiven, much more to obtain forgiveness with God. Humble thyself to him, make sure of Christ as thy Friend, to plead for thee; pray earnestly that thy sins may be pardoned, and that thou mayest be kept from going down to the pit.

mhcc@Proverbs:6:20-35 @ Verse 20-35 - The word of God has something to say to us upon all occasions. Let not faithful reproofs ever make us uneasy. When we consider how much this sin abounds, how heinous adultery is in its own nature, of what evil consequence it is, and how certainly it destroys the spiritual life in the soul, we shall not wonder that the cautions against it are so often repeated. Let us notice the subjects of this chapter. Let us remember Him who willingly became our Surety, when we were strangers and enemies. And shall Christians, who have such prospects, motives, and examples, be slothful and careless? Shall we neglect what is pleasing to God, and what he will graciously reward? May we closely watch every sense by which poison can enter our minds or affections. **** Matthew Henry's Commentary ****

mhcc@Proverbs:11:1 @ Verse 1 - However men may make light of giving short weight or measure, and however common such crimes may be, they are an abomination to the Lord.2. Considering how safe, and quiet, and easy the humble are, we see that with the lowly is wisdom.3. An honest man's principles are fixed, therefore his way is plain.4. Riches will stand men in no stead in the day of death.5,6. The ways of wickedness are dangerous. And sin will be its own punishment.7. When a godly man dies, all his fears vanish; but when a wicked man dies, his hopes vanish.8. The righteous are often wonderfully kept from going into dangerous situations, and the ungodly go in their stead.9. Hypocrites delude men into error and sin by artful objections against the truths of God's word.10,11. Nations prosper when wicked men are cast down.12. A man of understanding does not judge of others by their success.13. A faithful man will not disclose what he is trusted with, unless the honour of God and the real good of society require it.14. We shall often find it to our advantage to advise with others.15. The welfare of our families, our own peace, and our ability to pay just debts, must not be brought into danger. But here especially let us consider the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ in becoming Surety even for enemies.16. A pious and discreet woman will keep esteem and respect, as strong men keep possession of wealth.17. A cruel, froward, ill-natured man, is vexatious to those that are, and should be to him as his own flesh, and punishes himself.18. He that makes it his business to do good, shall have a reward, as sure to him as eternal truth can make it.19. True holiness is true happiness. The more violent a man is in sinful pursuits, the more he hastens his own destruction.20. Nothing is more hateful to God, than hypocrisy and double dealing, which are here signified. God delights in such as aim and act with uprightness.21. Joining together in sin shall not protect the sinners.22. Beauty is abused by those who have not discretion or modesty with it. This is true of all bodily endowments.23. The wicked desire mischief to others, but it shall return upon themselves.24. A man may grow poor by not paying just debts, not relieving the poor, not allowing needful expenses. Let men be ever so saving of what they have, if God appoints, it comes to nothing.25. Both in temporal and spiritual things, God commonly deals with his people according to the measure by which they deal with their brethren.26. We must not hoard up the gifts of God's bounty, merely for our own advantage.27. Seeking mischief is here set against seeking good; for those that are not doing good are doing hurt, even to themselves.

mhcc@Proverbs:11:28. @ Verse 28. -. The true believer is a branch of the living Vine. When those that take root in the world wither, those who are grafted into Christ shall be fruitful.29. He that brings trouble upon himself and his family, by carelessness, or by wickedness, shall be unable to keep and enjoy what he gets, as a man is unable to hold the wind, or to satisfy himself with it.30. The righteous are as trees of life; and their influence upon earth, like the fruits of that tree, support and nourish the spiritual life in many.31. Even the righteous, when they offend on earth, shall meet with sharp corrections; much more will the wicked meet the due reward of their sins. Let us then seek those blessings which our Surety purchased by his sufferings and death; let us seek to copy his example, and to keep his commandments. **** Matthew Henry's Commentary ****

mhcc@Proverbs:17:8. @ Verse 8. -. Those who set their hearts upon money, will do any thing for it. What influence should the gifts of God have on our hearts!9. The way to preserve peace is to make the best of every thing; not to notice what has been said or done against ourselves.10. A gentle reproof will enter, not only into the head, but into the heart of a wise man.11. Satan, and the messengers of Satan, shall be let loose upon an evil man.12. Let us watch over our own passions, and avoid the company of furious men.13. To render evil for good is devilish. He that does so, brings a curse upon his family.14. What danger there is in the beginning of strife! Resist its earliest display; and leave it off, if it were possible, before you begin.15. It is an offence to God to acquit the guilty, or to condemn those who are not guilty.16. Man's neglect of God's favour and his own interest is very absurd.17. No change of outward circumstances should abate our affection for our friends or relatives. But no friend, except Christ, deserves unlimited confidence. In Him this text did receive, and still receives its most glorious fulfilment.18. Let not any wrong their families. Yet Christ's becoming Surety for men, was a glorious display of Divine wisdom; for he was able to discharge the bond.

mhcc@Proverbs:19:29. @ Verse 29. -. The unbelief of man shall not make God's threatenings of no effect. Christ himself, when bearing sins not his own, was not spared. Justice and judgment took hold of our blessed Surety; and will God spare obstinate sinners? **** Matthew Henry's Commentary ****