Isaiah,[1] "Thou hast hid Thy face from us, and hast consumed us because of our iniquities." But in another place in the same prophet, it is declared what it is that causes the appearance of God's face being hid, namely, something in man's own mind coming like clouds between; thus: "But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid His face from you."[2] But in a third place, the real fact is stated, and the real relation of man to God shown, and that the turning away is on man's part; thus: "They have turned unto me the back, and not the face."[3] So, in one place it is said, "The Lord revengeth, and is furious[4]:" yet in the very next verse, it is said, "The Lord is slow to anger;" and in another place, "Fury is not in me."[5] And it may be observed, as something curious, that, very often, after the most terrible threatenings against men for their sins,—presently, the Divine voice softens down into tenderness, like that of a father dutifully but unwillingly rebuking his children for their good: he cannot long retain the countenance of anger, while his heart really melts with love. For instance, in Isaiah, this passage: "For a small moment have I forsaken thee; but with great mercies will I gather thee. In a little wrath I hid my face from thee for a moment; but with everlasting kindness will I have mercy on thee."[6] So, in another place: "Ye have forsaken me, and served other gods; wherefore I will deliver you no more. Go and cry unto the gods, which ye have chosen: let them deliver you in the time of your tribulation. And the children of Israel
Page:God Manifest.djvu/390
