The Quotable Matthew Henry
Fear them of their 'meat and drink'; for hereby they accommodated themselves to the affliction they were under. When God says "You shall fast', it is time to say 'We will fast'. make their court to men for their applause, as the Pharisees, or that rest in outward expressions of humiliation while their hearts are unhumbled, as Ahab, do they 'fast to God, even to Him?' 'Is this the fast that God has chosen?' (Isa. 58:5). If the solemnities of our fasting, though frequent, long, and severe, do not serve to put an edge upon devout affections, to quicken prayer, to increase godly sorrow, and to alter the temper of our minds and the course of our lives for the better, they do not at all answer the intention, and God will not accept them as performed to him, even to him.
Joell
In this chapter we have, 1. A case of conscience proposed to the prophet by the children of the captivity concerning fasting, whether they should continue their solemn fasts which they had religiously observed during the seventy years of their captivity (vs. 1—3. 2). The answer to this question, which is given in this and the next chapter; and this answer was given, not all at once, but by piece-meal, and, Zechariah 7 it should seem, at several times, for here are four distinct discourses which have all of them reference to this case, each of them prefaced with 'the word of the Lord came', in this chap-
Fear
It alludes to a tempestuous sea, such as the wicked are compared "to,-(Isay 57:20)2> The 'heathen rage' (Ps. 2:1) and think ter (vs. 4—8, and ch. 8:1, 18). The method of them is very observable. In this chapter, 1. The prophet sharply reproves them for the mismanagements of their fasts (vs. 4—7. 2). He exhorts them to reform their to ruin the church, to overwhelm it like a deluge, to sink it like a ship at sea. The church is said to be 'tossed with tempests' (Isa. 54:11), and the 'floods of ungodly men make the saints afraid' (Ps. 18:4). We may apply it to the tumults that are sometimes in our own bosoms, through prevailing passions and frights, which put the soul into disorder, and are ready to overthrow its graces and comforts; but, if the Lord reign there, even the winds and lives, which would be the best way of fasting, and to take heed of those sins which brought those judgments upon them which they kept these fasts in memory of (vs. 8—14). And then in the next chapter, having searched the wound, he binds it up, and heals it, with gracious assurances of great mercy God had yet in store for them, by which he would turn their fasts seas shall obey him.
Psalm 93
into feasts.
When without are fightings, within are fears, and those fears greater tyrants and oppressors
Those that make fasting a cloak for sin, as Jezebel's fast, or by it
Fear
That which shall make them think themselves safe is their confidence in the wisdom, power, and goodness of God: 'They shall know that I am the Lord'. All our disquieting fears arise from our ignorance of God and mistakes concerning him. Their experience of his particular care concerning them encourages their confidence in him. than Saul himself and not so easily outrun. It is sometimes the lot of the best men to have their spirits for a time almost overwhelmed and their hearts desolate, and doubtless it is their infirmity. David was not only a great saint, but a great soldier, and yet even he was sometimes ready to faint in a day of adversity. Howl, fir trees, if the cedars be shaken.
Psalm 143... They shall argue, he that has delivered does and will, therefore will we dwell safely. This "Magor-Missabib' — 'Terror round about' or, 'Fear on every side'. God Himself shall give him this name, whose calling him so will make him so. It seems to be a proverbial expression, bespeaking a man not only in distress but in despair, not only in danger on every side (that a man may be and yet by faith may be in no terror, is explained, and applied to our gospel-state (Luke 1:74). That we, being delivered out of the hand of our enemies, might serve Him without fear,' as those may do that serve him in faith.
Ezekiel 34 as David) (Ps. 3:6, 27:3), but in fear on every side, and that
Fellowship a man may be when there appears no danger. "The wicked flee when no man_ pursues', are in 'great fear where no fear ise
Had Eve kept close to the side out of which she was lately taken, she would have been less exposed. There are many temptations to which solitude gives greater disadvantage; but the communion of saints contributes much to their strength and safety.
Jeremiah 20
Thou saidst, Fear not. This was the language of God's prophets preaching to them not to fear (isa. 41310, 135 14), of. his providence preventing those things which they were afraid of, and of his grace quieting their minds, and making them easy, by the witness of his Spirit with their spirits that they were his people - still, though in distress, and therefore ought not to fear.
Genesis 3
The strongest should not despise but desire the assistance even of those who are weaker. Judah was the most considerable of the tribes and Simeon the least considerable and yet Judah begs Simeon's friendship and prays an aid from him. The head cannot say to the foot 'I have no need of thee' if we are members one of another.
Lamentations 3
Fickleness of Man
not, who know our own weakness.
Those that crave assistance must be ready to give assistance. Come with me into my lot and then I will go with thee into thine. It becomes Israelites to help one another against Canaanites.
Luke 4
When we shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, with all the saints, and none but saints, and saints made perfect, we shall have enough of that society, and be quite filled with that company.
Judges 1
David, though a strong believer, needed the help of his friends for the perfecting of what was lacking in his faith.
Romans 15
1 Samuel 23
Fickleness of Man
It had been suggested that the ways of God are melancholy unpleasant ways, solitary and sorrowful; and therefore then those that feared God studied to evince the contrary by their cheerfulness in mutual love and converse, that they might 'put to silence the ignorance of foolish men'. When seducers were busy to deceive and to possess
Absalom's faction, like a snowball, strangely gathered in its motion. He speaks of it as one amazed, and well he might, that a people he had so many ways obliged should almost generally revolt from him, rebel against him, and choose for their head such a foolish and giddy man as Absalom was. How slippery and deceitful are the many! And how little fidelity and constancy are to be found among men! David had had the hearts of his subjects as much as ever any king had, and yet now, of a sudden, he had lost them. As people must not trust too much in princes, so princes must not build too much upon _ their interest in the people. Christ, the Son of David, had many enemies. When a great multitude came to sieze him, when the crowd cried 'Crucify him, Crucify him,' how were those then increased that troubled him! Even good people must not think it strange if the stream be against them and the powers that threaten them grow more and more formidunwary souls with prejudices against religion, those that feared God were industrious to arm themselves and one another against the contagion by mutual instructions, excitements, and encouragements, and to strengthen one another's hands. As evil communication corrupts good minds and manners, so good communication confirms them.
Malachi 3
His being led into the wilderness gave some advantage to the tempter; for there he had him alone, no friend with him, by whose prayers and advice he might be assisted in the hour of temptation. Woe to him that is alone! He might give Satan advantage, who knew his own strength; we may able.
Psalm 3
Fickleness of Man
Those that differed in communion, while they agreed to fight against Satan under the banner of Christ, ought to look upon one another as on the same side, notwithstanding that difference. He that is not against
Though they that cried thus, perhaps, were not the same persons that the other day cried Hosanna, yet see what a change was made upon _ the mind of the populace in a little time: when he rode in triumph into Jerusalem, so general were the acclamations of praise, that one would have thought he had no enemies; but now when he was led in triumph to Pilate's judgment-seat, so general were the outcries of enmity, that one would think he had no friends. us is on our part. As to the great controversy between Christ and Beelzebub, he had said, 'He that is not with me is against me', (Matt. 12:30). He that will not own Christ, owns Satan. But as to those that own Christ, though not in the same circumstances, that follow him, though not with us, we must reckon that though these differ from us, they are not against us, and therefore are on our part, and we must not be any hindrance to their usefulness.
Matthew 27
How uncertain the respects of people are, how apt they are to change their minds, and how easily they are drawn into contempt of those for whom they once had the greatest esteem and affection, so that they are ready to pluck out the eyes of those for whom they would before have plucked out their own! We should therefore labour to be accepted of God, Mark 9
Final Perseverance
He that did so well for us in that helpless useless state will not leave us when he has reared us and nursed us up into some capacity of serving Him.
'for it is a small thing to be judged of man's judgment', (1 Cor. 4:3).
Galatians 4
Psalm 22
He will gather them in mercy out of the countries whither they were scattered, to be monuments of mercy, as the incorrigible were gathered to be vessels of wrath (v. 41). Not one of God's jewels shall be lost in the lumber of this world.
Fighting the Right Enemy
This conquest of his own passion was in some respects more honourable than his conquest of Goliath. He that hath rule over his own spirit is better than the mighty. It was no time for David to quarrel with his brother when the Philistines were upon them. The more threatening the Church's enemies are, the more forbearing her friends should be with one another.
Ezekiel 20
The accomplishment of the divine promise (v. 25). She brought forth her firstborn son. The circumstances of it are more largely related (Luke 2:1) etc. Note, that which is conceived of
1 Samuel 17 94
Forgetfulness excommunicating, suspending, and silencing either side, but by persuading them both to a mutual forbearance. the Holy Ghost never proves abortive, but will certainly be brought forth in its season. What is the will of the flesh, and of the will of man, often miscarries; but, if Christ be formed in the soul, God himself has begun the good work which he will perform; what is conceived in grace will no doubt be brought forth
Romans
Forgetfulness
As their understandings were dull, so their memories were treacherous; though one would think such astonishing events should never have been forgotten, yet they remembered them not, at least, 'they remembered not the multitude of God's mercies' in them. Therefore God is distrusted because his favours are not remembered.
in glory.
Matthew 1
It is the unspeakable comfort of all believers that Christ himself has committed them to the care of God. Those cannot but be safe whom the almighty God keeps, and he cannot but keep those whom the Son of his love commits to him, in the virtue of which we may by faith 'commit
Psalm 106
Christ's disciples are often to be blamed for the shallowness of their understandings, and the slipperiness of their memories. 'Have ye forgot those repeated instances of merciful and miraculous supplies; five thousthe keeping of our souls to God',
(1 Peter 4:19; 2 Tim. 1:12).
John 17
These indeed may fall frequently and foully, but yet they will not totally nor finally from God; the purpose and the power of God, the purchase and the prayer of Christ, the promise of the gospel, the everlasting covenant and fed with five loaves, and four thousand with seven loaves, and yet they had enough and to spare? Remember how many baskets ye took up?' These baskets were intended for memorials, by which to keep that God has made with them, ordered in all things and sure, the indwelling of the Spirit, and the mercy in remembrance, as the immortal seed of the word, these are their security. the pot of manna which was preserved in the ark (Exod. 16: Hebrews 6
32).
That meat for their bodies was intended to be meat for their faith (Ps. 24:14).
Forbearance
The apostle, as a wise physician, prescribes proper remedies for the disease, which are made up of rules and reasons. Such gentle methods does he take, with such cords of a man does he draw them together; not by We are therefore perplexed with present cares and _ distrusts, because we do not duly remember our former experiences of divine power and goodness.
Matthew 16
Forgiveness
Forgiveness and (v. 11) for the pardon of some one particular iniquity that was remarkably great, which, some think, was his sin in the matter of Uriah. But here he prays, Lord, forgive all, take away all iniquity. It is observable that, as to his affliction, he asks for no more than God's regard to it: 'Look upon my affliction and my pain, and do with it as thou pleasest.' But, This fire did consume (or, as the word is, 'eat up') the present sacrifice. And two ways this was a testimony of acceptance:— (1) It signified the turning away of God's wrath from them. God's wrath is a consuming fire; this fire might justly have fastened upon the people, and consumed them for their sins; but its fastening upon the sacrifice, and consuming that, signified God's acceptance of that as an atonement for the sinner. (2) It signified God's entering into a covenant and communion with them: they ate their part of the sacrifice, and the fire of the Lord ate up his part; and thus he did, as it were, sup with them, and they with him. (Rev. 3, 20). as to his sin, he asks for no less than a full pardon: Forgive all my sins. When at any time we are in trouble we should be more _ concerned about our sins, to get them pardoned, than about our afflictions, to get them removed.
Psalm 25
Leviticus 9
Deliverances from trouble are granted in love, and _ are mercies indeed, when they are grounded upon the pardon of David had severely revenged the abuses done to his ambassadors by the Ammonites (Ch. 12; 31), but easily passes by the abuse done to himself by an Israelite. sin and flow from that; we should therefore be more earnest with God in prayer for the removal of our sins than for the removal of our afflictions, and the pardon of them is the foundation and sweetness of our deliverances.
1 Samuel
His sin is not again recorded because it was repented of and pardoned and so became as if it had never been. Scriptures' silence sometimes speaks. I am willing to believe that its silence here concerning the sin of Solomon is an intimation that none of the sins he committed were mentioned against him (Ezek. 33:16). When God pardons sin, he casts it behind his back and remembers it no more.
Psalm 79
Not only the punishments of their iniquity shall be taken off, but the offences which it gave to God shall be forgotten, and he will be reconciled to them. Their sin shall be before him as if it had never been; it shall be blotted out as a cloud, crossed out as a debt, shall be cast behind his back; nay, it shall be cast into the depth of the sea, shall be no longer sealed up among God's treasures, nor in 2 Chronicles 9
He had begged (v. 7) for the pardon of the sins of his youth,
Fortitude
He should have been more conformable to the example of his master's tenderness, having himself experienced it, any danger of appearing again or rising up against them. This denotes how fully God forgives sin; he remembers it no more. Note, deliverances out of trouble so much to his advantage. Note, the comfortable sense of pardoning mercy tends much to the disposing of our hearts to forgive our brethren. It was in the close of the day of atonement that the jubilee trumpet sounded a release of debts (Lev. 25:9); for we must have compassion on our brethren, as God has on are then comforts indeed when they are the fruits of the forgiveness ofisin? (Isa..38:17).
Jeremiah 50
Now that it has become his grief it shall not be his ruin. Now that there is a_ settled separation between him and sin there shall no longer be a_ separation between him and God. Nay, he shall not be so much as upbraided with them (v. 16): 'None of his sins that he has committed shall be mentioned unto him', either as a clog to his pardon or an allay to the comus.
Matthew 18
He would have thought it sufficient, and been very thankful, if his father had but taken notice of him, and bid him go to the kitchen, and get his dinner with his servants; but God does for those who return to their duty, and cast themselves upon his mercy, abundantly above what they are able to ask or think. fort of it, or as any blemish and diminution to the glory that is prepared for him.
Ezekiel 33
Luke 15
One would have expected that though his life was spared, yet he would be laid under a
Fortitude disability and incapacity ever to serve the government again in the character of a prophet! But, behold! the word of the Lord comes to him again, to show that when God forgives he forgets, and whom he forgives he gives a new heart and We are men, and not brutes, reasonable creatures, who should act with reason, who should look upward and look forward, and both ways may fetch considerations enough to silence our complaints. We are men, and not children that cry for everything that hurts them. We are men, and not gods, subjects, not lords; we are not our own a new spirit to; he receives those into his family again, and restores them to their former estate, that had been prodigal children and _ dismasters, not our Own Carvers; we are bound and must obey, must submit. We are men, and not angels, and therefore cannot obedient servants. Note, God's making use of us is the best evidence of his being at peace with us. Hereby it will appear expect to be free from troubles that our sins are pardoned, and we have the good-will of God towards us, as they are; we are not inhabitants of that world where there
Jonah 3
Fortitude is no sorrow, but this where there is nothing but sorrow. We are men, and not devils, are not in that deplorable, helpdemns the closeness and selfishness and ill humour of many who call themselves Israelites.
Genesis 23 less, hopeless, state that they are in, but have something to comfort ourselves with which they have not. at is given to the poor, or done for - it to account as lent to him, ] on interest (so the word signifies); he takes it kindly, as if it were done to himself, and he would have us to take the ethene, 2° Well pleased as ever any usurer was when he had let out a sum of money into good hands. A very recompense shall be made for Toney Te again, in temporal, spiritual, and eternal teks re 22 avbiehic
Lamentations 3
Free Will
Were ever men that pretended to reason or religion, guilty of such prodigious madness, such horrid wickedness! This was it that Peter charged so home upon them (Acts 3:14); 'Ye desired a murderer to be granted to you'; yet multitudes who choose the world, rather than God, for their ruler and portion, thus choose their own delusions. surest and safest way of thriving. se £9
Calvin observes how generous the maker of the feast was, though he seems to have been but of small substance, to invite four or five strangers more than he thought of, because they were followers of Christ, which shows, saith he, that there is more of freedom, and liberality, and true friendship, in the conversation of some meaner persons than among many of higher rank.
Matthew 27
Friendship
We may in some _ particular instance befriend a stranger; but we espouse all the _ interests of a friend, and concern ourselves in all his cares: thus Christ takes believers to be his friends. He visits them and converses with them as his friends, bears with them and makes the best of them, is afflicted in their afflictions, and takes pleasure in their prosperity; he pleads for them in heaven and takes care of all their interests there.
John 2
Gentleness
The necessary censures of those who have offended ought*to be managed without noise. The words of the wise are heard in quiet. Christ himself shall not strive nor cry. Christian love and Christian prudence will hide a multidue of sins, and great ones, as far as may be done with- John 15
Generosity
The noble generosity of these Canaanites shames and _ con-
God out having them. fellowship with there are any lamps to be supplied from it. (Zech. 4; 12).
2 Kings 4
Matthew 1
It is common for great men to take little notice of their inferiors. The king knew not whether Mordecai was preferred
Receive affronts and _ injuries, as a stone is received into a heap of wool, which gives way to it, and so it does not rebound back, nor go any further. or no till his servants informed him. High spirits take a pride in being careless and unconcerned about those that are below them and ignorant of their state. The great God takes cognizance of the meanest of his servants, knows what dignity is done them and what disgrace.
Romans 12
God
What God requires of us he himself works in us or it is not done. He that commands faith, holiness and love, creates them by the power of his grace going along with his word, that he might have all the praise. Lord, give what thou commandest and then command what _ thou pleasest.
Esther 6
Job had complained of the prosperity and power of tyrants and oppressors, and was ready to charge God with maladministration for suffering it; but he ought not to find fault, Genesis 1 except he could mend. If God, and he only, has power enough to humble and bring down proud men, no doubt he has wisdom enough to know when and how to do it, and it is not for us to prescribe to him or to teach him how to govern the world. Unless we had an arm like God we must not think to take his work out of his hands.
Abraham was obliged, both in duty and gratitude, to part with Isaac and parted with him to a Friend; but God was under no obligation to us for we were enemies.
Genesis 22
We are never straitened in God, in his power and bounty and the riches of his grace. All our straitness is in ourselves. It is our faith that fails, not his promise. He gives above what we ask. Were there more vessels there is enough in God to fill them, enough for all, enough for each. Was this pot of oil exhausted as long as there were any vessels to be filled from it? and shall we fear lest the golden
Job 40
To the end of time, nay, to eternity, thou shalt be known and honoured. A good man loves God better than himself, and therefore can balance his own sorrow and death with the pleasing thought of the unchangeable blessedness of the Eternal Mind.
oil which flows from the very
Psalm 102
root and fatness of the good
olive should fail, as long as
God
We must declare, 'Great is the Lord', his presence infinite, his power irresistible, his brightness insupportable, his majesty awful, his dominion boundless, and his sovereignty incontestable; and therefore there is no dispute, but 'great is the Lord' and, if great, then 'greatly to be praised', with all that is within us, to the utmost of our power, and with all the circumstances of solemnity imaginable. His greatness indeed cannot be comprehended, for it is unsearchable; who can conceive or express how great God is? But then it is so much the more to be praised. When we cannot, by searching, find the bottom, we must sit down at the brink, and adore the depth (Rom. 11:33). Psalm 145 sand', as he would if he should glorify any whom he has not first sanctified; or of that 'foolish builder who began to build and was not able to finish', as he would if he should sanctify any, and not glorify them.
John 17
It appears that he hates sin, when nothing less than the blood of Christ would satisfy for it. Finding sin, though but imputed, upon his own Son, he did not spare him, because he had made himself sin for us (2 Cor. 5:21). The iniquities of us all being laid upon him, though he was the Son of his love, yet it pleased the Lord to bruise him (Isa. 53:10).
Romans 3
The reasons of divine grace are sometimes represented in scripture as strange and surprising (as [sa 57:17, 18; Hos. 2:13, 14);
God: His Attributes
Behold here the goodness and severity of God. Mercy here shines brightly in the pleasure God takes in doing good. He rejoices in it, yet justice here appears no less illustrious in the pleasure he takes in destroying the impenitent, not as it is making his creatures miserable, but as it is the asserting of his own honour and the securing of the ends of his government. See what a malignant, mischievous thing sin is which (as I may say) makes it necessary for the God of infinite goodness to rejoice in the destruction of his own creatures. so here, that is given as an inducement to Christ to stoop; which should rather have been a reason for his taking state; for God's thoughts are not as ours. Compare with this those passages which preface the most signal instances of condescending grace with the displays of divine glory, (asPs. 68: 4, 5; Tan S7e153:66: 1.2).
John 13
In this method we must pray, first for grace, and then for glory (Ps. 84: 11); for in this method God gives. Far be it from the only wise God to come under the imputation either of that 'foolish builder who without a foundation built upon the Deuteronomy 28
We cannot add to his greatness for it is infinite but we must acknowledge it and give him
God: His Attributes
God by nature, and his defection and degeneracy by sin, his excellencies are dreadful. His power, holiness, justice, yea , and his goodness too, are dreadful excellencies. the consideration of our own meanness and mortality, should make us afraid of offending God, and furnishes a good reason why we should not despise and trample upon our brethren. the glory of it. Now, when Moses would set forth the greatness of God he does it, not by explaining his eternity and immensity or describing the brightness of his glory in the upper world, but by showing the faithfulness of his word, the perfection of his works and the wisdom and the equity of all the administrations of his government for in these his glory
Job 13 shines most clearly to us. Deuteronomy 32
There is enough in this one plain unquestionable truth, That God is greater than man, if duly improved, for ever to put to silence and to shame all our complaints of his providence and our exceptions against his dealings with us. He is not only more wise and powerful than we are, and therefore it is to no purpose to contend with him who will be too hard for us, but more holy, just and good, for these are the transcendent glories and excellencies of the divine nature; in these God is greater than man, and therefore it is absurd and unreasonable to find fault with him, for he is certainly in the They considered that God's Sovereignty is incontestable, his justice inflexible, his power irresistible and, therefore, resolved to try what his mercy was and found it was not in vain to cast themselves upon it.
Joshua 9
God is unsearchable. The ages of his eternity cannot be numbered, nor the spaces of his immensity measured; the depths of his wisdom cannot be fathomed, nor the reaches of his power bounded; the brightness of his glory can never be described, nor the treasures of his goodness reckoned up. This is a good reason why we should always speak of God _ with humility and caution and never right.
Job 33
Those that through grace know much of God, yet know little, yea nothing, in comparison with what is to be known, and what will be known, when that which prescribe to him nor quarrel with him, why we should be thankful for what he _ has revealed of himself and long is perfect shall come and the veil shall be rent. When we would speak of God we speak confusedly and with great uncertainty, and are soon at a loss and run aground, not for want of matter, but for want of words. As we must always begin to be where we shall see him as he is (1 Cor. 13, 9—10).
Job 11
His excellencies in themselves are amiable and lovely. He is the most beautiful Being; but considering man's distance from