Psa 22:14, Isa 63:15, Jer 31:20, Hos 11:8 | JFB | e4.org | 14, 15. Utter exhaustion and hopeless weakness, in these circumstances of pressing danger, are set forth by the most expressive figures; the solidity of the body is destroyed, and it becomes like water; the bones are parted; the heart, the very seat of vitality, melts like wax; all the juices of the system are dried up; the tongue can no longer perform its office, but lies parched and stiffened (compare ). In this, God is regarded as the ultimate source, and men as the instruments.

‏ Psalms 22:14

14, 15. Utter exhaustion and hopeless weakness, in these circumstances of pressing danger, are set forth by the most expressive figures; the solidity of the body is destroyed, and it becomes like water; the bones are parted; the heart, the very seat of vitality, melts like wax; all the juices of the system are dried up; the tongue can no longer perform its office, but lies parched and stiffened (compare Ge 49:4; 2Sa 14:14; Ps 58:8). In this, God is regarded as the ultimate source, and men as the instruments.

‏ Isaiah 63:15

15. Here begins a fervent appeal to God to pity Israel now on the ground of His former benefits.

habitation of . . . holiness— (Isa 57:15; De 26:15; 2Ch 30:27; Ps 33:14; 80:14).

zeal . . . strength—evinced formerly for Thy people.

sounding of . . . bowels—Thine emotions of compassion (Isa 16:11; Jer 31:20; 48:36; Ho 11:8).

‏ Jeremiah 31:20

20. Is Ephraim my dear son? &c.—The question implies that a negative answer was to be expected. Who would have thought that one so undutiful to His heavenly Father as Ephraim had been should still be regarded by God as a "pleasant child?" Certainly he was not so in respect to his sin. But by virtue of God's "everlasting love" (Jer 31:3) on Ephraim's being "turned" to God, he was immediately welcomed as God's "dear son." This verse sets forth God's readiness to welcome the penitent (Jer 31:18, 19), anticipating his return with prevenient grace and love. Compare Lu 15:20: "When he was yet a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion," &c.

spake against—threatened him for his idolatry.

remember—with favor and concern, as in Ge 8:1; 30:22.

bowels . . . troubled for him— (De 32:36; Isa 63:15; Ho 11:8) —namely, with the yearnings of compassionate love. The "bowels" include the region of the heart, the seat of the affections.

‏ Hosea 11:8

8. as Admah . . . Zeboim—among the cities, including Sodom and Gomorrah, irretrievably overthrown (De 29:23).

heart is turned within me—with the deepest compassion, so as not to execute My threat (La 1:20; compare Ge 43:30; 1Ki 3:26). So the phrase is used of a new turn given to the feeling (Ps 105:25).

repentings—God speaks according to human modes of thought (Nu 23:19). God's seeming change is in accordance with His secret everlasting purpose of love to His people, to magnify His grace after their desperate rebellion.